Lip fillers- more commonly known as dermal fillers, are injections capable of giving the lips a more pouty, plump, or full look. Lip fillers are all the rage these days and it is incredibly easy to get them. Most dental offices that offer facial aesthetics include dermal fillers as part of the treatments they provide.
While getting lip treatments is fairly quick and easy compared to other cosmetic procedures, there are definitely a few dos and don’ts to getting a lip filler procedure. Follow these common lip filler aftercare instructions in addition to a few key tips to get the best turnout for your new lips.
Stay Hydrated
It’s always best to drink a lot of water following any treatment, as water can speed-up the rate of your recovery process. This is particularly true after using hyaluronic acid fillers since HA supports the retention of moisture in the skin.
Use Ice Packs
Apply ice packs to your lips after getting the procedure. Make sure to wrap the ice pack with a thin cloth to keep it from sticking to your lip and causing pain. This will help reduce the itching, bruising, swelling and any other pain.
Using Medication
Use only pain medication approved by your doctor or dentist during the first few days after your hyaluronic acid fillers treatment. Typically, paracetamol is fine, but avoid blood-thinning medications like aspirin or ibuprofen.
Eat healthy
Consume a lot of healthy foods like vegetables and fresh fruits. The minerals and vitamins present in them will boost the healing process.
Applying lipstick
For a minimum of 8 hours after treatment, avoid putting on things like lip balm or lipstick. This helps to lower the chances of getting an infection. You can apply lip gloss or balm a day after receiving the filler as long as they are delicately applied to avoid putting excessive pressure on the freshly applied filler. Your lips will probably be very sensitive, therefore, a bland lip balm will possibly be most comfortable initially.
Using Skin-Care Products
Apply only gentle, unscented skincare products or cleansers; make sure to be careful when cleaning the areas around your face. Do not use exfoliating products. Also, avoid touching your lips directly when showering.
Drinking With A Straw
In the first 24-48 hours post-procedure, avoid drinking with a straw. The motion and pressure required to use the straw may distort the filler.
Drinking Alcohol Or Smoking
It is best that you do not smoke or drink alcohol for 24 hours post-treatment. Alcohol acts as a blood thinner capable of increasing the likelihood of swelling, inflammation or bruising. Also, drinking alcohol can dehydrate you when you are supposed to stay hydrated after a filler procedure. Studies show that smoking multiplies your risks of getting an infection after lip filler treatment; thus, it should be avoided. Furthermore, smoking makes your lips pucker, which can put a lot of pressure on the lips, causing pain after injections.
Heat
Avoid extremely hot temperatures within the first 24-48hours after treatment. Use lukewarm water when taking a shower and avoid using hot tubs, saunas or steam rooms. Heat increases blood pressure and blood flow, which can worsen bruising and swelling. Sweating can also irritate the lips.
Kissing
Kissing can put a lot of pressure on the lips, increasing your risk of getting an infection (since the mouth contains a lot of bacteria), so it is best that you don’t kiss anyone 48–72 hours post-treatment.
Exercising
Avoid strenuous exercises for the first 24 hours post-treatment. Elevated heart rate and blood pressure from exercise may worsen swelling or bruising.
Sleeping On Your Face
Avoid any activity that directly applies pressure to your lips, such as sleeping face-down on a pillow. This keeps the filler in place while it settles; it is best to give your lips up to seven days to properly heal.
Flying
It is also recommended to avoid air travel for a few weeks after treatment because the pressure change from the airplane can cause additional bruising.
Gauging Final Results
You may be tempted to assess your new looks right after treatment, but because of bruising and swelling, it’s best to delay gauging the results until after one week or even longer. But ultimately, you can expect the final results to last between 6 months to 1 year, depending on the type of filler used.
Conclusion
Swelling after a lip filler procedure is to be expected; therefore, the plumpness of your lips immediately after the following treatment is not an accurate depiction of the final result. The minor swelling can persist from a few hours to a day, possibly more, depending on multiple factors.
Also, remember that every individual is different, and the outcomes may vary between patients. Surgeons recommend that if, at any point after receiving the injections, you have any concerns regarding the results- even up to a month after, you should contact the injector.
