Modifying and adding volume to your lips has become easily accessible through lip fillers, and such treatment has exploded in popularity among the general public within the last decade. Although lip injections tend to be a minimally invasive procedure, there are things you should avoid and adhere to after the treatment.
Determine what you should do after getting lip injections
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What should you do After Lip Injection?
Follow the doctor’s advice and instruction
Doctors will always provide advice or instructions to their clients after an operation. No doctor would give risky pieces of advice to their clients. Though their advice might be the same as what is written in this article, it is better to prioritize what doctors say.
Keep your lips clean
To avoid possible infections on your lips, keeping them as clean as possible until they are fully healed is highly recommended. It is not only your lips but your entire face. Dirt or unhealthy bacteria on some parts of our face can easily transfer or reach our lips. Experts recommend using unscented skin care products around the face. Cleansers and sterile alcohol wipes are good but not those exfoliating products.
It would help if you observed this for the first 24-48 hours after the treatment.
Take in pain reliever or medicine prescribed by your doctor
After the lip filler treatment, you will expect pain that will slowly build up because the numbing cream will start to diminish. You’ll have to use the pain medicine that the doctor prescribed for you to take. Only attempt to use other pain medicine after consulting your doctor.
Pain on your lips is normal, but if it originates outside your lips, it is advisable to consult your doctor.
Apply ice
Keep your lips cool after getting your lip fillers. This is one best methods to ease itching, pain, swelling, and bruising on your lips. Also, this is to give you a soothing, cooling, and comfortable sensation. Put a pack or a cube of ice or a bag of frozen veggies in a clean towel and apply it on the bruised area of your lips several times a day. Do not apply the ice pack directly on your lips because it will only trigger more pain. Also, do this for about 5-10 minutes in one setting so as not to damage tissues due to excessive cold.
Stay Hydrated
Why do you have to drink plenty of water? This has a great help in the recovery or healing process of your lips. Other than that, lip fillers contain a substance that depends on water to successfully keep the lips plump and prevent them from drying out. The fillers integrate water components into your lips’ tissues, making them soft and full. Thus, this is for you to achieve the lips that you wish to have.
Eat easy-to-eat food
Eating easy food will help you avoid wiping, irritating your lips, and touching the treated area. As much as possible, avoid foods that easily stick or touch your lips and are difficult to chew. Experts recommend eating hydrating fruits and vegetables to help you stay hydrated and to provide you with minerals that will help in your healing process. Slice your food into smaller pieces so it does not touch your lips. For foods you need to avoid, check the “What you should avoid after Lip injection” section.
Sleep facing upward and with an elevated head
Doctors suggest not to lie down on your face, which could exert pressure on your lips, shifting the filler and causing more bruising. Also, do not sleep on your side to prevent having asymmetric lips. Elevate your head using pillows to help reduce swelling. You should observe this for 24-48 hours after filler treatment.
Set a follow-up appointment with your doctor for any concerns
Ensure to have a follow-up appointment with your doctor. This is for you to talk about your concerns or about the next steps for you to take for your lip maintenance.
What Not to Do After Lip Injections?
Avoid cardiovascular exercises
Strenuous exercise such as swimming and jogging will increase your blood flow and temperature and cause you to sweat. Increased blood flow will worsen the swelling and discomfort.
Avoid this for at least 24 to 48 hours after lip injection.
Avoid exposure to high temperatures
As slightly mentioned, avoid exposing your lips to high temperatures. The high temperature will dilate the blood vessels, causing more discomfort and bruising, prolonging the healing of the capillaries and the swelling. Thus, steam rooms, exercise classes, hot showers, direct and prolonged sunlight exposure, and saunas are highly discouraged.
If you plan on having a laser treatment, schedule it at least two weeks after the injection. This is because laser treatment generates excessive heat that significantly affects the filler by disintegrating it more quickly.
Avoid taking blood thinner medications
Blood thinner medicine will elevate the chance of bruising and bleeding. If you need pain medication, follow your doctor’s recommendation to avoid implications during the healing period. Some medicines that act as blood thinners are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Avoid this for seven days after the lip injection.
Avoid food with excess salt and spicy food
During the early stage of lip healing, avoid foods such as acidic and spicy foods that could trigger a burning sensation on your lips. Avoid foods that could also worsen your lips’ swelling and bruising, such as foods with high sodium and sugar content.
Avoid putting pressure on your lips
Do not put pressure on your lips that might damage your unhealed lips and cause discomfort. Thus, avoid activities that would put pressure on your lips, such as using a straw when drinking and kissing. With this, avoid inflicting any trauma on your lips, like lip biting, that could negatively impact the healing process since our lips are composed of sensitive tissues.
Do not use makeup on your lips
Using makeup on your lips, such as lip balm or lipstick, could result to infection and pain. Thus, you should avoid it for at least 24 hours after the treatment.
Do not fly
Air pressure will worsen the bruising and swelling of your lips. That is why doctors recommend flying once your lips have fully recovered. Some recommend flying 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure.
