Lip filler aftercare is something that is concerned for many people after they have had lip injections. This type of cosmetic injectable injection has become increasingly popular in modern times and this article is dedicated to helping resolve some of those concerns and answer those questions.
How to reduce swelling after lip fillers
Our top tips for an incredible final result include:
- Avoid excessive or very strenuous exercise for at least 24 hours after treatment.
- Avoid sweltering temperatures for at least 24 hours after treatment.
- Use an ice pack on your lips.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Avoid excessive salt for 24 hours as this can dehydrate.
Can I eat after lip injections
Yes, but stick to our top tips, and you won’t go wrong, particularly if you have a big event coming up:
- On the first day stick to foods that are easy to eat and chew, this means you’re less likely to have to wipe your lips and disturb the injection site.
- Avoid vitamin E supplements for a couple of days as this can increase the risk of bruising.
Do’s and don’ts after lip filler
Lip filler aftercare advice:
- do stick to foods that are easy to eat
- do bring lipstick and lip liner to the appointment as this can be applied immediately after treatment to cover up any immediate bruising
- do avoid kissing or massaging your lips directly after the procedure and possibly for up to 24 hours if it is your first lip filler injection
- do be gentle with your skin while washing for 24 hours
- don’t use and exfoliating agent for 24 hours or any harsh cleaning brush
- don’t have a facial massage for at least two weeks
- don’t drink through a straw for the 1st day as this puts pressure on the lips
- don’t drink alcohol for at least 24 hours after you have had fillers
- don’t exercise excessively for at least 24-hour is
Long-term side-effects of lip fillers
If the practitioner undertaking the treatment is highly skilled, then there should be no adverse long-term side-effects from having lip fillers. Short-term side-effects can include:
- a small amount of bleeding from the injection site
- bruising
- swelling
- tenderness
These should all pass within approximately 48 hours after the initial treatment.
Some people purchase their lip filler hyaluronic acid online and attempt to inject themselves, some people also go to lesser trained beauty therapists for their injections and cosmetic treatments. These may result in more long-term side-effects which can include, but are not limited to:
- excessive bleeding
- excessive bruising and swelling
- lip asymmetry where the injection has not been even been placed
- lip bumps and irregularities caused by improper injection technique
If you experience any of these more severe side-effects after treatment, then we recommend you contact your skin clinic immediately, if you get no response you should seek medical advice.
Lip necrosis after filler symptoms
- By obstructing supply to blood vessel, usually by injecting too much filler or by producing too much swelling near a blood vessel. This obstruction then causes the lip necrosis as the soft tissue is unable to get the blood flow it needs.
- Via direct damage caused by poor injection technique.
The symptoms of lip necrosis can include, but are not limited to:
- severe pain which can slowly build after the treatment, this is because the numbing cream used during the initial therapy begins to wear off and the full pain is felt
- prolonged white blanching after the lip fillers, this is caused by a lack of blood flow to the affected area
- the reduced temperature of the lips, this again is caused by the lack of blood flow reducing the temperature
- discolouration, often purple or dark grey, this is the final stage when tissue death is beginning to take hold
I think I have lip necrosis after lip fillers, what should I do?
If this begins to happen during your injectable treatment then, according to the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, your practitioner should stop the treatment immediately, massage the area, apply heat, tap the area and repeat.
If this does not immediately halt the necrosis, then the practitioner should begin remedial treatment, depending on the type of filler or used. Aspirin may then also be prescribed. If this still does not stop the necrosis, then referral to another medical expert and ongoing wound care may be required. You may also need antibiotics to prevent further complications developing from secondary opportunistic infection
It is, therefore, possible to see that injecting fillers at home by yourself is incredibly dangerous as you would be unlikely to have the knowledge, experience and drugs available to counter any necrosis should happen at the time.
Do lip injections damage lips?
On the whole lip injections do not damage lips, the filler used (hyaluronic acid) is a naturally occurring acid which gets slowly absorbed by the body. Any damage caused to the lips is usually by poor technique created by the person doing the injections. Swellings, lumps and bumps around the lips can be a sign of this type of problem. To prevent this type of problem this is why a dentist is ideally suited to providing lip filler injections as they have detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the lips (Obicularis Oris).
Do lip fillers shrink lip size afterwards?
Lip fillers won’t shrink your lip size afterwards however the hyaluronic acid which is used as the filler will be slowly absorbed by your body again, this can give the illusion of shrinking lips however they won’t shrink smaller than before treatment.
Thinking of starting your lip filler journey?
See our lip fillers treatment page for essential information and prices from our resident facial aesthetics expert, Dr Ajay Murgai.