What to Expect After Lip Fillers

Did you know that lip fillers are one of the most popular types of dermal fillers? In fact, they’re more than just popular.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number of lip filler treatments has increased by more 48% since the year 2000. That’s more akin to world domination.

Whatever the case, if you’re considering this treatment for yourself, you may be wondering what to expect after lip fillers. We’ll “fill” you in. (Sorry. Had to do it.)

The Lip Filler Procedure

There are any number of reasons patients seek a lip filler treatment. Although one of the most prominent reasons is to plump up the lips, some patients are seeking to correct uneven lips, smooth out lip wrinkles, or lift the corners of the mouth. The latter two are more common with age.

Anyhow, the procedure itself is fairly simple.

Once the patient’s goals have been thoroughly discussed, the lips are cleaned with alcohol and anesthetized. Depending on the level of anesthetization desired by the patient or required for the procedure, it may be a topical lidocaine or numbing cream, or a nerve block for the entire area.

Using a tiny needle, filler is then injected into the areas of the lips that need volume. The filler might be hyaluronic acid, fat, or implants. It depends on the goal for treatment as well as the patient’s anatomy. The filler is gently massaged into the lips to prevent lumps. And that’s it.

As simple a procedure as it is, the results are not instant. And your lips will need 24 to 48 hours to recover. So if you’re planning on having the procedure for a specific event, you’ll need to take that into consideration and allow for ample healing time.

The following five situations apply to lip filler recovery:

1. Expect Some Discomfort

Don’t be alarmed if you see bruising at the injection site. This can be treated with vitamin K, aloe vera, arnica creams, or whatever your healthcare professional recommends.

There may also be itching, swelling, or other pain. Applying an ice pack or ice covered in a cloth can ease these symptoms. If the pain becomes too uncomfortable, your doctor may recommend acetaminophen (Tylenol) rather than blood-thinning medications like aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil).

2. Pamper Your Face

If you feel naked without lipstick or other makeup on your lips, you’re going to have to embrace that nudity for up to 24 hours after the procedure.

Furthermore, in an effort to keep your lips protected and the swelling at a minimum, you’ll need to sleep with your head elevated on pillows and not on your face that first night. So if you always sleep on your side or belly, that means you may have an interesting night’s sleep.

3. No Strenuous Exercise

After any sort of dermal filler, it’s key to keep blood pressure and the heart rate low. If they’re elevated, the swelling and bruising could be worse. As such, strenuous exercise should be avoided for 12 to 24 hours.

While light activity such as walking is okay, taking a sauna or steam afterwards is not. Any situation with high heat could make the swelling more pronounced. This includes a heated exercise class – no matter how gentle.

4. Say Yes to Water, No to Alcohol

Water is crucial in helping the body to heal. So it’s important to stay hydrated. If drinking a lot of water becomes tiresome, there are plenty of hydrating foods that can help. Also, avoiding sodium will enable the body to retain the hydration you provide.

And no matter how happy you are with your lip filler procedure, hold off on the champagne for a bit. Or any alcohol, for that matter. Not only does alcohol dehydrate, but it can cause inflammation and it acts as a blood thinner. (Hence, avoiding it before the procedure is also recommended.)

5. Know You’ll Be on the No Fly List

If you’ve spent any amount of time on a plane, you know how the air pressure can wreak havoc with many of the body’s systems. Unfortunately, it can also make swelling and bruising worse. So your doctor will likely recommend you stick to the road for at least 24 hours after treatment.

Abide by the Advice

Now that you know what to expect after lip fillers, you may be ready to move forward toward plumper and more pouty lips.

So don’t hesitate to contact us for your free consultation.

And know that the best results will come from following the post-treatment recommendations from your cosmetic medical experts.