Your lip filler aftercare can make or break your final look and your overall healing experience. It’s common to have some swelling and bruising after lip fillers, but you can help them fade faster by following all of the instructions from your nurse injector.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to keep in mind after getting filler! We’ll reveal which key habits to avoid after lip fillers in order to ensure the hyaluronic acid gel settles down neatly and evenly, creating the stunning pout you wanted.
After Care for Lip Fillers
Aftercare for lip fillers is fairly simple and straight-forward. While you’ll need to be careful with how you take care of your lip fillers, it’s not labor-intensive. Here’s what you need to do after lip fillers to ensure the best healing and a lower risk of side effects.
- For a few days after the injection, keep your lips clean using gentle, fragrance-free products. You can keep the lips moisturized with a skin protectant balm like Vaseline or Aquaphor, but avoid other topical products that may irritate or lead to infection.
- To prevent swelling, sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated for the first few nights after getting lip filler.
- In general, since you’ve just had an injection, prioritize your overall hydration and gentle self-care for speedy healing.
- If you feel a bit of soreness or any noticeable swelling, apply an ice pack to your lips in order to soothe the area and reduce discomfort.
- Keep in mind that bruising and swelling are expected! If you have any special events coming up, make sure to schedule your lip filler appointment with ample time in advance.
What Not to Do After Lip Fillers
Just as important, here are the things to avoid after lip filler injections, in order to prevent any issues or slower healing time.
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Be careful with medications
Both before and after getting lip fillers, it’s important to avoid any medications or supplements with a blood-thinning effect, since they can prolong side effects like bleeding and bruising.
Make sure to speak to your doctor prior to stopping any prescription medication, and stay away from non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen (i.e., Advil) and aspirin for at least 2 days before and after treatment.
If you do experience pain or swelling after lip filler, you can use an ice pack or take a pain killer without a blood-thinning effect, like Tylenol.
In the first couple of days after getting filler, excessive puckering of your lips may cause discomfort, and could even lead to lip filler migration in rare cases. That means you shouldn’t kiss, smoke, or drink from straws for at least two days following your lip filler appointment. You should also avoid facial exercises or face yoga for at least a week after treatment. Natural facial expressions, on the other hand, are perfectly fine!
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Watch what you eat and drink
Certain foods can also interfere with your healing. In particular, avoid drinking alcohol after getting lip filler, since it has a blood-thinning effect. Very hot foods and beverages may lead to discomfort in the injection site, and foods high in sodium may increase your risk of swelling.
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Avoid harsh products and treatments
Avoid using harsh skincare products such as retinoids or chemical exfoliants around the lip area, as they may irritate the injection site. Just as importantly, don’t plan to undergo any other professional treatments such as chemical peels or laser facial treatments for a few weeks after your treatment.
You might hear conflicting advice when it comes to touching your lips, but we recommend you don’t massage or rub your lips for at least 2 days after getting lip filler. Once the product has settled, if you notice any nodules or lumps forming, a gentle massage might be appropriate. Get in touch with your nurse injector to confirm and receive personalized advice.
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Don’t wear lipstick after lip fillers
To prevent infections, avoid wearing makeup products on your lips for at least 2 days. That means you shouldn’t wear lipstick or lip balm after getting lip fillers. Instead, you can use ointments designed specifically to protect compromised skin, like Vaseline or Aquaphor.
You can participate in low-intensity activities like yoga or walking, but anything overly strenuous may compromise your recovery. You can get back to working out after lip fillers once a couple of days have passed.
Saunas, steam rooms, jacuzzis, and hot yoga are all off-limits immediately after your treatment. Heat can cause blood vessel dilation, which may increase swelling. Excessive sun exposure can also be an issue, so stay protected!
What to Expect After Lip Fillers
It’s very common to experience some bruising and swelling after getting lip fillers, since the hyaluronic acid injections go quite deep into the lips. The area might also feel a little bit tender or sore, and moving your lips might feel a little strange.
Keep in mind that your lips will potentially look fuller than you originally expected, as a result of the swelling. Don’t let that concern you! Normally, these side effects will disappear within 1 to 2 weeks. At that point you can assess your final results.
How to Reduce Swelling And Bruising After Lip Fillers
A little bit of swelling and bruising after lip filler is normal and will fade away with time. Follow all of the aftercare precautions we listed above, and especially avoid taking anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin, since they can lead to blood-thinning that may prolong bruises.
If you want to reduce swelling, you can hold an ice pack lightly against the lips. You can also take acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol), since it doesn’t have a blood-thinning effect. Some research suggests arnica gel may speed healing and reduce bruising, but keep in mind that it has not been clinically tested to a sufficient extent.
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