Beauty trends have opened a whole new spectrum in the beauty industry; lip liners, lip plumpers, and lip volumisers. Like any cosmetic procedure, aftercare plays a big role in the final result. In this article, you’ll find all our lip volumiser aftercare tips to promote healing.
Lip volumisers, also known as lip injections, add volume to your lips. Oftentimes, people go for anti-ageing treatment to achieve a similar effect – called a lip flip – but that is not regarded as a lip volumiser.
Lip volumiser is a minimally invasive procedure, but very procedure carries some risk. The procedure is semi-permanent and you’ll need maintenance (possibly every 12-18 months) to keep your volume.
It’s fairly common to have minor swelling and tenderness for a few days after the procedure. However, you must follow a proper lip aftercare regimen to promote quicker healing.
What Do Lip Volumisers Do?
With the advancement of lip volumisers, it’s possible to add volume to your lips without undergoing surgery. These dermal volumisers, when injected into the lips, change the appearance of your lips by addressing their:
- Shape
- Structure
- Volume
The results will typically last for twelve to eighteen months.
Before and After Lip Filler Photos
View All Injectables Before and After Photos
Lip Aftercare Tips
Aftercare is an important part of any cosmetic procedure; invasive or non-invasive. It may help reduce the side effects and promote your healing. These following tips will help you immensely with your healing.
Swelling is normal
First things first, your lips may be swollen after the procedure. Our first tip is don’t freak out as it is completely normal to have some swelling, redness and slight bruising at the injection site. It will typically go away in a couple of days.
Ice your lips
Get an ice cube, cover it in a cloth and apply it to the lips to reduce discomfort and swelling. You can do this several times during the day. Make sure you are not applying ice directly on your lips.
Don’t exercise afterwards
Do not exercise for a period of 24 to 48 hours after getting lip fillers. Exercise can elevate your blood pressure which can worsen the swelling and bruising. It’s better to take some time off exercising and let your lips heal properly.
Drink lots of water
Staying hydrated is great in general but it’s extremely beneficial when you have undergone any kind of cosmetic treatment including lip fillers. It helps your body heal quickly.
Eat well and reduce salt intake
Make sure you are consuming plenty of fruits and veggies every day. Try to limit excess sodium for a few days as it can worsen your lip swelling.
Avoid the heat and sun
Heat can trigger swelling. Do not stay in extreme temperatures; heated rooms, saunas, gyms, exercise classes and direct sunlight for at least 48 hours after getting lip fillers.
If you need pain killers, ask first
Always consult with your doctor on which pain killers you can take to reduce the pain. Since conventional blood-thinning medications can worsen the bruising, it is advised to ask for an alternative.
Consider upcoming events
If you are planning to get lip volumisers for a particular event (birthday parties, wedding, graduation etc.), it is advised to get them a month in advance so that you have adequate time to heal.
Sleep on your back
Try to sleep on your back with your head elevated for 24 to 48 hours. Avoid sleeping on your face till your lips heal completely.
Wait before applying makeup
Do not apply lipstick or any other makeup on and around your lips for 24 to 48 hours after the treatment.
Lip Aftercare: Things to Avoid
It’s also important to avoid the following to achieve optimal results.
SMOKING
Smoking can increase the risk of infection. Hence, it is advised to avoid smoking for a few days before and after getting lip fillers.
ALCOHOL
Alcohol is a blood thinner. Any blood thinner should be avoided for a period of 24 to 48 hours after getting lip volumisers as it can cause inflammation, swelling and bruising.
FLYING
Planning in advance is the key. It is advised to avoid flying for a week after the treatment as it will make the swelling as well as bruising worse. So, plan accordingly.
Immediately See Your Doctor If:
If you go to the right practitioner and follow all your aftercare instructions, your lip journey is more likely to go smoothly. While minor swelling and redness are pretty common, it’s critical to see a doctor if any of the following symptoms occur:
Intense Bruising/Swelling
While mild swelling and bruising are very common, if you start to experience excessive swelling or it lasts more than a week, it is time to consult your doctor immediately. Some people might have allergic reactions. Hence, medical assistance is needed at this point.
Vascular Occlusion
Vascular occlusion is a condition which occurs when hyaluronic acid is injected into an artery or extremely close to it. As a result, the blood flow completely stops or reduces immensely which causes surrounding skin tissue to die as a result of inadequate blood supply. Some of the most common signs of vascular occlusion include skin discolouration, white spots, and skin blotches. Immediately consult your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms.
Cold Sores
Usually, the doctors ask you before the treatment if you are prone to getting cold sores or not. Dermal fillers can trigger the outbreak of cold sores which can be treated with the help of antiviral treatment. Immediately consult with your doctor if you are experiencing the formation of cold sores after the treatment.
Dissolving Lip Volume
The best part about changing your lips with the help of lip volumisers is that the results are not permanent. It means you can reverse the results if you don’t like what you see. Despite taking all the care in the world, there may be times when you will not be happy with the results. Whether it be due to choosing the wrong practitioner, not being able to communicate your ideal look properly, or simply not liking the result, you can always dissolve it.
When to Dissolve
If you are unhappy with the results, it might not be worth it to wait for a year or more for the volumiser to wear off. It’s a simple process but you need a trusted practitioner to dissolve your volumisers and get your old lips back. From there, you can leave them as it is or again go for the fillers (but this time with the trusted practitioner).
Hyaluronidase / hyalase injections are used to break down the fillers and bring them back to their original state. This enzyme occurs naturally in our body. That is the reason why lip volumisers dissolve naturally over time. However, injecting the enzyme further speeds up the process. Hyaluronidase acid is mixed with saline and then injected into the area.
The enzymes will continue to dissolve the volumisers even after you leave the practitioner’s office. Within one week, typically your lips will return to their original state.
Results
It’s important to realise that you may not see immediate results. The results will start to become apparent after 24 hours. Most people are concerned about whether the procedure is painful or not. While it can be painful for some, your practitioners can use a topical anaesthetic before injecting your lips. If that’s not enough, vibrational therapy may also be used.
How Much Do Lip Fillers Cost?
The cost of lip volumisers depends on the quality and thickness of the product used. It also depends on how much product you need to achieve your desired result. For more information on pricing, view our Price List.
Frequently Asked Aftercare Questions
Can I eat afterwards?
It’s advised to avoid eating till the numbing agent wears off completely. For the first 24-48 hours, avoid foods that are hard to chew or eat. Going for smoothies and cereals.
How long should you ice afterwards?
You can apply ice immediately after the treatment. You can apply it every 5 to 10 minutes for 6-8 hours or as long as you feel comfortable doing it. Applying ice will not only reduceminimize swelling but may give you a soothing effect.
How long do lips stay swollen after treatment?
For most people, your lips will stay swollen for 48 hours after the treatment. After that, swelling will start to subside down and will completely go away in five days.
How do you sleep after treatment?
It is best to sleep on your back and keep your head elevated for 24 hours. Avoid sleeping on your face for a week after the treatment.
Does drinking water help?
Yes, volumisers attract water to the fullness of your lips. Hence, it is advised to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated after getting lip treatment.
Can I wear lipstick after lip treatment?
While there is no medical reason to avoid applying lipstick, your lips are extremely tender for the first 24 hours. Hence, it is advised to avoid applying lipsticks.
Do I massage my lips after lip treatment?
Do not massage your lips for 24 to 48 hours after the treatment. Once your swelling subsides down, you can gently massage your lips with light pressure.
Will massaging my lips break down lumps?
If you feel lump or lumps in your filler, massaging it gently with the help of your index finger and thumb. Over time, it will break down the lip filler.
Can you smoke a cigarette after lip injection?
Avoid smoking for 24 to 48 hours before and after getting the lip injections.
Can I sleep on my side after treatment?
Yes, you can sleep on your side. Although, ideally you should sleep on your back for 24 to 48 hours after the treatment.
What happens if you take ibuprofen after lip treatment?
Ibuprofen is a blood-thinning medication and will result in bruising. Hence, it is best to avoid it at all costs.
What helps to reduce bruising?
Applying ice packs, taking arnica, avoiding exercising and alcohol will help to eliminate swelling.
What painkillers can I take?
It’s best to ask your doctor which pain killer is the best to take afterwards. Avoid any blood-thinning medications. Panadol is generally fine but always consult with Dr Doyle first.
Lip volumisers are injections of hyaluronic acid that will give your lips more volume. While the procedure is very quick and comes with minimal downtime, it should always be performed by a doctor or registered nurse. Avoid getting it done at any shady places and do not compromise on the quality of your service.
If you are planning to get lip volumisers, it is important to do your research and have an experienced medical professional treat you. It is important to be aware of the risks and benefits of the process. Moreover, if you are unable to follow a before and aftercare regimen, this might not be a great option for you.
If you have any questions regarding lip volumisers aftercare, pre-care or post-care, feel free to give us a call, enquire online or book a consultation with our cosmetic nurse.
