Everything You Need to Know About Lip Filler Aftercare
Lip filler is a quick and easy solution for getting plumper, more shapely lips without surgery. The results aren’t permanent but can be long-lasting (typically between six and 18 months). Some people appreciate the temporary effects of lip fillers because they don’t like the idea of being stuck with lip fillers that may not turn out how they want.
If you’re thinking about fixing asymmetrical lips or getting more voluminous lips with filler, it’s important to know how to protect your results. What you do in the days following treatment can impact how your new pout turns out. Here are a few things about this popular aesthetic treatment and what to do after lip filler to get the best outcome.
What Is Lip filler?
Lip fillers are injections (typically made with synthetic hyaluronic acid) that temporarily modify the appearance of your lips. Fillers can add volume to thin lips, correct asymmetry, or adjust top and bottom lip ratios. Lip fillers can also smooth the lips and reduce the appearance of wrinkles so you look younger. Treatments are relatively safe and come with a low risk of complications. They’re also highly customizable and can help you create the ideal lip shape for your aesthetic goals.
What To Do After Lip Filler
What you do after getting lip filler can greatly impact your results and recovery experience. Your provider should give you a detailed list of what to do and what not to do after treatment. Always refer to your provider’s aftercare instructions first. But if you need additional guidance, here are some tips for what to do and what to avoid after your treatment.
1. Eat Small Bites of Food
Your lips will most likely be sensitive in the days following your filler injections. Therefore, you should only eat foods that are easy to consume without opening your mouth wide. That means you should stay away from double-patty hamburgers and loaded tacos for at least a few days. Opt for small bites of soft, easy-to-eat foods instead.
2. Avoid Touching Your Lips
Touching your lips unnecessarily is at the top of the “what not to do after lip filler” list. Touching your lips can introduce bacteria to the injection sites and increase your infection risk. If you must touch your new pout, ensure you only do so after thoroughly washing your hands.
3. Wait a Couple of Days Before Applying Makeup
In the days immediately after lip injections, covering up your swollen, red lips with makeup might be tempting. However, applying makeup to your lips could potentially cause an infection. It’s best to wait at least 48 hours before wearing lipstick or lip balm.
4. Minimize Swelling and Pain With Ice
Your lips may feel painful and inflamed for a few days after treatment. You can ease discomfort by gently placing an ice cube against your lips. Very cold temperatures have a numbing effect, so applying ice may help ease your post-treatment pain.
5. Sleep With Your Head Elevated
Sleeping with your head slightly elevated for a few days is one of the top tips for anyone wondering what to do after lip filler. Sleeping like this helps to minimize swelling and bruising. You can elevate your head by sleeping on multiple pillows or by propping up the head of your bed with blocks. Some people even choose to sleep in a recliner for a few days after treatment.
6. Stay Hydrated
When your lips are sore, drinking water may be slightly uncomfortable. However, it’s important to do it anyway. Hydration is essential for the body’s healing processes. To speed up your recovery time, make sure you keep your body well-hydrated.
7. Avoid Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Your provider may instruct you to stay away from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for a while after your injections. This is because NSAIDs can increase your likelihood of bruising and bleeding after your appointment. Ask your provider for safe over-the-counter pain alternatives you can take as needed.
8. Keep Your Follow-Up Appointments
If your lips seem to heal as expected, you might think canceling your follow-up appointments is OK. But it’s important to let your provider see your results. They may be able to notice and correct small problems you didn’t detect.
What Not to Do After Lip Filler
It’s just as important to learn what you shouldn’t do after lip filler as it is to learn what you should do. Here are a few things you should avoid in the days following your treatment.
1. Don’t Pucker
Your lips will be more vulnerable to infection and feel more sensitive than usual the first few days after your injections. Avoid kissing, drinking through a straw, and any other activity that requires you to pucker your lips for at least two days.
2. Don’t Massage Your Lips
When your muscles are sore, it feels good to massage them. So, it’s natural to think that massaging your lips may relieve some post-filler discomfort. But this is a bad idea. Massaging your lips could cause some filler to migrate to an unintended area. It could also result in your lips looking lumpy and lopsided. That’s why lip massage makes the top of most “what not to do after getting lip filler” lists.
3. Don’t Engage in Strenuous Activities
Doing strenuous exercises too soon after your lip filler appointment could exacerbate swelling, bruising, and other unpleasant symptoms. Most providers recommend waiting at least two days before resuming any vigorous activities.
4. Don’t Smoke or Drink Alcohol
Smoking and drinking alcohol can slow your body’s healing processes after lip fillers. They can also increase your infection risk. Therefore, you should avoid both activities for at least 24 hours after your appointment.
5. Don’t Use Air Travel Too Soon
If you’re getting lip fillers to look stunning for an upcoming vacation, make sure you don’t schedule your appointment too close to your flight time! Changes in cabin pressure can put a lot of pressure on your swollen lip tissues and could lead to bruising. Most “what not to do after lip filler” guides recommend waiting at least a week after your injections before flying.
6. Don’t Get Laser Facial Treatments
You should also improve your lips with laser treatments while improving other parts of your face. However, laser facials can produce much-localized heat and worsen your post-filler symptoms. It’s a good idea to wait at least two weeks after filler injections before receiving any type of laser facial treatment.
7. Don’t Panic if You Don’t Like Your Lips at First
Your lips will almost look unnaturally large and overfilled immediately after your treatment. Please resist the urge to panic. Remember that your lips are likely swollen and won’t look natural until the swelling subsides over the next few days.
8. Don’t Expose Your Lips to High Temperatures
Heat can worsen swelling and bruising symptoms. Therefore, any “what not to do after lip filler” list should include avoiding saunas, hot showers, and other hot environments for a couple of days after your procedure. Take this opportunity to rest and let your body heal in a comfortable, temperature-controlled environment.
9. Avoid the Dentist for Two Weeks
If you have tooth pain or need dental work, it’s best to get it done before your lip filler appointment. Dentists often use tools and techniques that put much pressure on the lips. Therefore, you want to make sure your tender lip tissue has adequate time to heal before you attend your next dental appointment. Most providers recommend waiting at least two weeks before visiting a dentist, orthodontist, endodontist, or any other oral health services provider.
Does Everyone Bruise After Lip Filler?
Not everyone bruises after lip filler, but many do. You can minimize your risk of bruising by following your provider’s recommendations for what to do after lip filler. Taking an Arnica supplement may also reduce bruising, swelling, and discomfort. If you decide to take this herbal supplement, it’s best to begin 24 hours before your appointment. You may also want to continue taking it for up to three days afterward.
Redefine Your Look With Expert Lip Filler Injections
If you’re unhappy with the way your lips look, why not improve them? A curvier, plumper, and more dramatic pout could be just one appointment away. Evexia Med Spa offers smooth hyaluronic acid fillers that deliver natural-looking results. We’re confident you’ll love your new pout, but we also know it can be nerve-wracking to change the appearance of your face. Rest assured that we can easily reverse your fillers if you’re dissatisfied in any way.
Whether you want to correct asymmetry in your top and bottom lips, increase volume in thin lips, or get a dramatic, curvy pout, we can help. Schedule your lip filler injections today by calling us at (571) 774-0965.
