What are the side effects of lip fillers?
As with almost all aesthetic treatments, including lip filler, some minor side effects can be expected. In general, injectable lip fillers are very low risk, especially if you see a medical professional for your treatment. Severe complications from dermal fillers are uncommon, however, some common, but mild, side effects include:
- Bleeding from the injection site
- Bruising
- Lumps
- Skin redness
- Swelling
In very rare cases, the filler may accidentally be injected into your blood vessels instead of under your skin. This can block blood flow (also known as vascular occlusion. This is very rare and can be prevented by seeing a medical professional who has full knowledge of human anatomy.
As you can see, the side effects are relatively minor. Although they shouldn’t impact your days following treatment it’s important to know what you should and shouldn’t be doing following your lip filler treatment.
What you should do after lip fillers
Heres a quick guide on what you should do after lip fillers:
Apply ice to the treated area
After your treatment, use an ice pack or an ice cube covered in a thin cloth (so it doesn’t stick to the lip and cause pain) to help ease swelling, itching, bruising, and any other pain. Be gentle and don’t press or apply any pressure to the lip at all for that matter. Keep it light and don’t leave the ice pack on for too long.
Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water will help to keep the blood oxygenated, allowing the lips to heal at their optimum rate. Pumping oxygenated blood to the treated area will allow you to not only see results quicker but also help to maintain them for longer.
Eat healthy foods like fresh fruits & vegetables
Healthy foods help our bodies to operate at their best, and this includes helping filler to embed with the tissue more effectively. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance that the body is used to. By eating healthy foods, your body can process and benefit from this solution in more ways than just lip augmentation.
Relax and rest
Take it easy. Sit down with a good TV show, or read a book and let your fillers work their magic. The treatment is over now, and the best thing you could do to achieve your best results is follow the steps above and take a day or two to rest and relax.
What you should avoid after lip fillers
Heres a quick quide on what to avoid after lip fillers
Avoid strenuous exercise and hot temperatures for 24-48 hours post-treatment
Often bruising and redness following treatment are caused by broken blood vessels around the treatment area. When the needle is injected into the lips, this in turn breaks those blood vessels causing these side effects. Exercising, using saunas or spending prolonged time in hot conditions, will raise your blood pressure and as a result, prolong your side effects from recovering.
Avoid processed foods or fast foods
This one is at your own discretion, but we would advise against eating any spicy or salty foods following your lip filler treatment. Spicy and acidic foods can cause a stinging or burning sensation, especially while your lips are still in the early stages of healing.
Avoid alcohol & coffee
Drinking alcohol after lip augmentation can cause your blood vessels to expand and allow more blood to flow to the surface of the skin. This increases the risk of bursting the blood vessels around the injection site, which will make any bruising and swelling worse.
Aside from being very hot which can increase the intensity of the immediate side effects, coffee will dehydrate you. Whether in food or drink form, caffeine and alcohol will both slow down the healing process as they cause dehydration.
Avoid blood-thinning medications, including ibuprofen (unless prescribed by your medical practitioner)
Blood thinning medication should be avoided for around 24 to 48 hours following your lip filler treatment. This is due to the fact that it can cause increased inflammation, swelling and bruising.
Avoid kissing, touching, applying makeup, or massaging your lips
Following lip filler treatment, your lips will be extremely tender and sensitive to touch. Touching the lips after your treatment may cause pain, product displacement or in some rare cases, even infection.
Don’t fly too soon after getting Cosmetic Injectables
Aside from the fact that you will likely need a 2-week check-up just to make sure everything is the way it is, flying may prolong side effects as well. The increased air pressure from flying can make swelling much worse and will not be of any help to your recovery process.
We would advise waiting until after your 2 week check-in before taking any international flights.
Speak to an injectables specialist before your next lip filler treatment
Looking to improve your lip volume or add a bit of shape to thin lips? Have a chat with one of our injectables specialists about your desired look!
We value creating confidence in our clients, helping them to achieve the look that allows them to be their best selves. With in-depth medical knowledge as well as a creative eye, you can be assured that you are in the most capable hands. We are proud to have a specialist team that you can rely on.
Book a consultation with our friendly team who will be able to provide everything you need.
