Lip fillers are designed to add volume and fullness to your lips. As one of the most common dermal fillers, they aim to alter the size or shape of the lips without the need for a long recovery time. Find out more about the tips for lip filler aftercare from Dr Jeremy Hunt Specialist Plastic Surgeon with cosmetic clinics in Sydney and Wollongong NSW.
As we get older, the lips lose volume due to the decline in collagen and elastin.
If you are considering lip plumping to address these age-related changes in your lips, lip filler injections can help.
This treatment can also be an option if you have unevenness, thinning lips or just want bigger lips.
The outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise.
What are the Advantages of having Lip Fillers ?
The benefits vary from person to person. In general, the lip filler treatment can give you the following benefits:
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- Control over lip volume
- It’s a highly customisable treatment
- Less expensive than lip surgery
- More reliable than a lip flip (philtrum reduction)
- Little discomfort or downtime
- Minimally invasive
Dos and Don’ts after lip filler treatment
After the procedure, make sure to adhere to the following lip filler aftercare following instructions:
1. Do’s – Things to DO after Lip Filler:
- Apply an ice pack on the injected sites 2-3 times a day to reduce swelling
- Brush your teeth gently
- Take over-the-counter pain medications if required
- Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and fluids
- Eat healthy – plenty of fruit and vegetables
- Sleep on your back with your head elevated using 2-3 pillows to avoid putting tension or pressure on your lips
- Use sunscreen and protective clothing when going outside
2. Don’ts – Things to AVOID after Lip Filler
- Avoid smoking or vaping
- Avoid drinking alcohol after the treatment
- Avoid flying on a plane as changes in air pressure can make bruising and swelling more prominent
- Avoid intense heat such as saunas, hot tubs, sunbathing, or tanning
- Avoid passionate kissing and puckering your lips
- Avoid overly salty or spicy foods
- Avoid scratching or picking around the injection sites
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 24-48 hours
- Avoid wearing lipstick or lip balm for at least 24 hours
- Do not drink through a straw
- Do not eat foods that are hard to chew
Lip Filler Aftercare FAQs
Can you put anything on your lips after lip fillers?
- After lip fillers, you can apply an ice pack for up to 10 minutes 2-3 times a day to reduce swelling. However, you should avoid wearing lipstick, lip balm, or any lip product for 24 hours. The main goal after the treatment is to avoid putting increased tension or pressure on your lips to prevent the formation of lumps or bumps which can lead to lip asymmetry and other unwanted results.
Does drinking water help fillers?
- Lip fillers make use of a substance that naturally occurs in your body known as hyaluronic acid but the treatment could also use other filler materials. Hyaluronic acid adds volume and fullness to the treated area by drawing in water and locking in moisture in your skin. If this type of filler is used, you need to increase your water intake to maintain skin hydration and aid the plumping effect of the filler.
Can I use a straw after lip filler?
- No. The sucking motion when drinking through a straw puts extra tension on the injection sites. This can lead to the formation of bumps or lumps, altering the results of the lip filler aftercare treatment.
Can you brush your teeth after lip fillers?
- Yes, you can brush your teeth after the treatment but make sure not to put any pressure on your lips while doing so. It is recommended to use a small toothbrush and use gentle strokes when brushing.
Should I massage lip filler lumps?
- Gentle massage can be performed on any lumps after the treatment. The lip filler practitioner will teach you the proper way of doing this technique and will provide specific lip filler aftercare instructions before you go home. Massaging the lip filler helps distribute the substance evenly in the area. However, aggressive massage will potentially destroy some of the substance.
What should I avoid before lip injections?
Before the treatment, it is recommended to avoid the following:
- Acne medications and other meds that can make your skin sensitive
- Alcoholic beverages
- Dehydrating foods such as those rich in caffeine
- Medications and supplements that can increase your risk of bleeding
- Prolonged sun exposure
- Smoking
Can you drink hot drinks after lip filler?
- After the treatment, it is recommended to avoid hot beverages. This is because you will receive a numbing cream or anaesthetic before the lip filler injections. Drinking anything too hot may lead to scald burns in your lip area without you realising it. Make sure to wait until the numbing sensation in your lips completely disappears before drinking or eating anything.
How long will my lips be swollen after filler?
Swelling should go down after 2-3 days following your lip filler aftercare treatment. Within 2 weeks, you can expect that the swelling has completely subsided. In the meantime, there are some things that you can do to minimise swelling and other associated discomforts. These include the following:
- Avoid intense heat in the injection sites
- Take over-the-counter pain medications
- Use a gentle cleanser on the area
- Avoid placing pressure or tension on the treated area
- Avoid eating foods that are hard to chew
- Perform the prescribed massage
- Apply ice pack 2-3 times a day
How long are lips sore after filler?
- Swelling should go down after 2-3 days following your lip filler aftercare treatment. You can expect any extra swelling to completely disappear after 2 weeks. Make sure to follow the lip filler aftercare instructions to prevent complications and achieve your desired results.
How can I make my lip fillers last longer?
To prolong the results of lip fillers:
- Avoid prolonged sun exposure
- Eat healthy foods
- Avoid irritating skincare products
- Stop smoking
- Drink lots of water and fluids
- Refrain from puckering your lips, wrinkling your nose, or furrowing your brow
- Avoid alcoholic beverages
- Follow aftercare instructions
How should I sleep after fillers?
- After lip filler injections, it is recommended to avoid placing pressure or tension on your lips to prevent lumps or bumps and poor cosmetic results. When you sleep, use 2-3 pillows to elevate your head and then sleep on your back. This will provide comfort while preventing pressure on your lips.
How long do I need to ice my lips after filler?
- After lip fillers, you can apply an ice pack for up to 10 minutes 2-3 times a day to reduce swelling. Make sure not to apply ice directly on your lips as it can lead to injury. You can use a clean cloth to wrap around the ice and then apply it to your lips.
Do lip fillers hurt?
- During the process of injection, you may experience a slight stinging sensation in the area but this is usually tolerable. To minimise discomfort, the injector will apply a numbing cream or an ice pack in the target area before administering the filler.
Are lip fillers permanent?
- Lip fillers are not permanent because your body gradually absorbs the filler ingredient. After 12-18 months, your lips will return to their original appearance depending on your metabolism. To maintain your desired lip volume, you may need routine touch-up treatments.
Can you get lip fillers while pregnant?
- No. The FDA hasn’t approved the use of lip fillers for pregnant women. During your consultation, you will undergo a detailed assessment of your general health and expectations to create a customised treatment plan.
When can I eat or drink after lip fillers?
- After the treatment, you should wait until the anaesthetic or nerve block injection has completely worn off before eating or drinking anything. This will help you avoid accidentally biting your lips which may affect the results of the treatment. In addition, this will also prevent scald burns when you eat hot foods. In general, the numbing effects of the anaesthetic on your lips can last anywhere between two and five hours. You may experience drooling and slurred speech during this time.
How much lip filler do I need?
- The amount of lip filler you will need depends on several factors such as your lip condition, desired results, and the preferences of the practitioner. In general, you will need just 0.5 to 1 ml of filler to achieve your desired lip volume and fullness. In some cases, a little more filler (2 ml) can be used for a more dramatic look.
How often will I need to undergo lip filler injections?
- The effects of lip fillers can last 6 months to 1 year. After this time, you will need to undergo touch-up aftercare treatments to maintain the appearance of your lips. It is important to keep in mind that the longevity of the results will depend on your lip condition, skincare regimen, and metabolism.
Further Reading after Lip Filler & Dermal Filler
About Dr Jeremy Hunt – Specialist Plastic Surgeon
Dr Jeremy Hunt is a specialist plastic surgeon performing breast, body, face and nose surgery in Australia. He is a member of FRACS & ASPS and has over 20 years of experience providing plastic surgery in Sydney.
Careful, considerate and honest, Dr Jeremy Hunt works with you to find a solution that is suitable for your body and your lifestyle. Every patient is unique and requires a personalised approach to reach their goals.
Dr Hunt has provided his one-on-one service and attention to detail to thousands of women and men from the Sydney & Wollongong NSW area and across Australia.
Dr Hunt’s qualifications and education
Dr Jeremy A. Hunt MBBS FRACS graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine degree from Sydney University in 1990 and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and member of ASPS – the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. He completed a Fellowship at the University of Texas in the United States, where he learnt from well-established and experienced plastic surgeons.
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