If you’re reading this, you’re no doubt familiar with lip fillers—the cosmetic treatment that’s become so popular that it seems like it’s practically a requirement to be on TV these days.
While you may be familiar with the lip filler treatment process that involves injecting specially formulated hyaluronic acid gels directly into the lips, there’s one thing that commonly gets overlooked: proper lip filler aftercare. Aftercare is critical when it comes to getting the optimal results with your lip fillers.
You want to be sure that you’re doing your absolute best to get the most from your lip fillers—after all, you’ve invested lots of time and money.
Read on to learn more about lip filler aftercare and how to get the most from your new lips.
Aftercare immediately after the procedure
1. Avoid Touching Lips or Massaging the Injection Area
It’s important to avoid touching or massaging your lips for at least 24 hours after the injection—massaging can cause the filler to migrate, creating lumps or abnormal shapes.
2. Apply Ice to Lips
Ice can help reduce swelling and bruising, if applied very carefully and without too much force in 10-15 minute intervals. Make sure to not to apply ice or an ice pack directly to your skin—use a cloth to wrap the ice.
3. Hydration
Lips can get chapped very easily when we’re dehydrated. And when we add extra volume to our lips, our skin will be stretching and will need extra hydration. Drink plenty of water to help your body heal and to keep your lips moisturized from the inside out.
Day-to-Day Lip Filler Aftercare
1. Avoid Strenuous Exercise
For the first 24-48 hours, you should avoid strenuous exercise and any activities that increase blood flow to your face, as these can make swelling and bruising worse.
2. Skip the Lipstick
Avoid applying lipstick, lip balm, or any other lip products for at least 24 hours post-injection. Some cosmetic products can cause irritation or possibly even infection at the injection sites.
3. Elevate Your Head While Sleeping
To minimize swelling, try to sleep with your head elevated for the first couple of nights after getting lip fillers. Propping up your head with an extra pillow can help reduce fluid accumulation in your lips.
Long-Term Lip Filler Care
1. Protect Your Lips from the Sun
Your lips can be more sensitive to the sun after a filler treatment. Use a lip balm with SPF to protect them from painful sunburn on your already painful and swollen lips.
2. Continue to Stay Properly Hydrated
Continuing to drink plenty of water is essential for healthy plump skin, including the lips! Proper hydration helps maintain the plumpness and overall health of your lips.
3. Regular Touch-Ups
Lip fillers are not permanent, and the hyaluronic acid will eventually break down be reabsorbed by the body. Regular touch-up appointments every 6-12 months will help you maintain your beautiful new look. You’ll likely want to schedule follow up appointments at the time of your treatment to ensure you have a spot saved in the schedule.
What to Avoid
1. Alcohol and Blood Thinners
Avoid consuming alcohol, aspirin, or any other blood-thinning medication for at least 24 hours before and after the procedure to avoid the risk of extra swelling or bruising and potentially delaying the healing process.
2. Excessive Heat Exposure
Stay away from saunas, hot tubs, and prolonged sun exposure for at least 48 hours after your injection appointment. Heat can exacerbate swelling and, more importantly, potentially alter the results of your fillers.
3. Smoking or Vaping
Smoking or vaping can impede the healing process and reduce the longevity of your fillers. Smoking can weaken the immune system, but it can also cause fillers to migrate due to the pressure of the lips on the cigarette/vape/etc. If you smoke, try to avoid it as much as possible, especially in the first few days after your treatment.
When should you contact your injector?
While mild swelling, bruising, and discomfort are normal after getting lip fillers, keep an eye out for certain symptoms that warrant a call to your injector.
- Severe pain or swelling
- Lumps or irregularities in your lips
- Signs of infection (redness, warmth, or pus at the injection site)
- Abnormally severe bruising or discoloration
By following these aftercare tips, you can enhance the longevity and appearance of your lip fillers, ensuring that your results are as stunning as possible.
Most importantly, always remember to follow the specific advice given by your injector—they may also provide instructions specific to your medical or lifestyle needs, or instructions specific to the brand or type of filler used.
If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to contact your injector at DermaBlue.
Taking these steps will help ensure that your lip filler experience is as smooth and successful as possible. Enjoy your beautiful, fuller lips!
Schedule your next lip filler appointment at DermaBlue
If you’re overdue for a lip filler touchup or wanting to get started with lip fillers, schedule a free consultation with our skilled injectors. They’ll sit down with you during a 30-minute consult and talk about your aesthetic goals, how much lip filler you’ll need, and answer any other questions you may have.
Lip Filler Aftercare FAQ
After having lip filler, you’ll want to carefully follow your injector’s aftercare instructions. They may include things like:
- avoid strenuous exercise
- avoid blood thinners or alcohol
- avoid sunlight
- stay hydrated
- apply ice if needed
Read the blog article on this page for more lip filler aftercare tips….
After getting lip fillers, you should avoid putting any cosmetics on your lips, including chapstick, lipstick, etc.—anything that has risk of causing infection or irritation. Ask your provider about anything specific.
Lip fillers typically take about 1 to 2 weeks to fully settle, depending on the type of lip filler used and a patient’s metabolism, among other things.
After getting lip fillers, it’s generally recommended to avoid using a straw for at least one or two days. Drinking from a straw can put pressure on the lips and cause the fillers to migrate around the area or create lumps.
