A plump pout is a highly desired facial feature for many. After all, our lips can really stand out when treated with luscious lip balms, lip stains, and lipsticks. But what if your lip line is looking a bit thin these days? Perhaps genetics dealt you a thinner smile or aging is slowing down collagen production, causing your lips to flatten out a bit. Whatever the reason, there is a very safe and effective solution that can give your lips the boost you crave.
Let’s talk about lip fillers.
What Exactly Are Lip Fillers?
For the unfamiliar, lip fillers are actually dermal fillers. You may recognize the name Juvéderm®, a common brand of dermal filler. Dermal fillers contain a long-lasting, but non-permanent form of hyaluronic acid (HA). Naturally produced by the body, HA is responsible for keeping our skin smooth and resilient and has hydrating properties. The gel in dermal fillers mimics the naturally occurring substance by adding volume and hydration to your lips. The result is plump, full, supple, and youthful-looking lips.
Results are noticeable immediately after treatment, but the full results are visible around 2-5 days following treatment. Lip fillers are not permanent as your body will break down the synthetic HA over time, but you can expect to maintain your results for 6 to 12 months. There are many factors that contribute to the longevity of fillers.
What to Do Before Getting Lip Fillers
Before you book a lip filler appointment with an aesthetician, there are a few things you will want to do. The first is to identify your cosmetic goals. You may want to bring a photo to your consultation demonstrating your ideal lip volume. Be realistic with your expectations. So many people expect to have Kylie Jenner’s lips after one treatment. However, Jenner has achieved her ideal look through a series of treatments over time.
You will want to start slow and trust your practitioner to provide you with a natural, but noticeable result. It is a lot easier to add lip filler to increase your lip’s volume than to wait for the filler to break down over time because you are not satisfied with the result.
Discuss your medical history with your practitioner. If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, you will want to disclose that information to determine if lip fillers are safe for you. Also, if you have a history of cold sores, let your practitioner know ahead of time. He or she may provide you with an antiviral medication you can take prior to your appointment to prevent cold sore flare-ups.
Certain medical conditions may prevent you from being a good candidate for lip fillers. These conditions include but are not limited to diabetes, lupus, or blood-clotting problems. And most importantly, notify your practitioner if you are taking medication that can prolong bleeding such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or other blood thinners.
What Can I Expect While Receiving Lip Fillers?
When you arrive for treatment, your practitioner will cleanse your lips and apply a topical anesthetic to reduce discomfort. The lips are a sensitive area, so you may feel a slight prick as the injection is administered. You can expect the procedure to take about 30 minutes and you can return to most daily activities after treatment.
Swelling and tenderness after lip filler treatment are normal. You may also experience bruising and redness around the injection site. If you’re getting lip fillers for a specific event, make sure to leave enough between the procedure and the event to allow your lips to properly recover. It is generally recommended to get fillers at least two weeks prior to your special event to allow for ample healing time.
You may experience a few bumps in the treatment area due to the filler not distributing evenly throughout your lip. These will dissolve within two weeks. If these distribution lumps remain after two weeks, contact your practitioner for a corrective session.
Lip Filler Aftercare Do’s
Once your procedure is complete, there are a few steps you will want to take to maximize your glamourous results.
- DO drink plenty of water and stay hydrated to promote and accelerate healing.
- DO apply an ice pack to your lips after treatment to reduce swelling, itching, or bruising.
- DO sleep on an elevated pillow to avoid sleeping on your face.
- DO take Tylenol if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort.
- DO be patient. Maximum results take time to shine but are completely worth it.
- DO eat foods that are easy to chew at least 24 hours after treatment.
Lip Filler Aftercare Don’ts
There are far more don’ts than do’s when it comes to lip filler aftercare. Keep these in mind to maintain your results.
- DON’T do any strenuous exercise 24 hours after treatment. This will increase blood flow and can cause additional bruising and swelling.
- DON’T drink alcohol for 24 hours after treatment. If possible, try to avoid consuming alcohol two additional days after.
- DON’T pick, scratch, or itch the treatment area to avoid infection.
- DON’T spend time in saunas, hot tubs, steamers, or tanning booths immediately after treatment. Avoid high heat areas.
- DON’T drink from a straw, kiss, or apply direct pressure to the treatment area at least 24 hours after treatment.
- DON’T use non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications after treatment. Tylenol is acceptable. This is to reduce your risk of bleeding and bruising.
- DON’T fly internationally and avoid long airline trips until you are fully recovered. You do not want to dry out your lips.
- DON’T visit the pool until you are completely healed to avoid the risk of infection at the injection site.
- DON’T apply makeup on your lips for at least 24 hours after treatment.
- DON’T receive a facial massage for at least 2 weeks after treatment.
- DON’T smoke or at least try to quit before receiving treatment. Smoking can increase your risk for infection.
Benefits of Lip Fillers
If you want to add extra volume to your lips (or even just one lip), then lip fillers are a great solution for you. Lip fillers can add extra volume to areas of the lip that appear deflated. You can also reshape your lips slightly with this safe and effective treatment.
The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes or less and you can resume most normal activity when you leave the clinic.
Lip fillers are semi-permanent, so if you do not like your results or feel that fillers are not for you, there is nothing to worry about. The fillers will dissolve naturally over time and your lips will return to their pre-treatment appearance. On the flip side, lip fillers last anywhere from 6-8 months, so if you follow your practitioner’s aftercare instructions, you can enjoy the luscious benefits for quite some time.
Risks associated with lip fillers are minimal but may include bruising, swelling, redness, and tenderness. There is also a slight risk for infection due to the invasive nature of injecting a substance into your skin. Ultimately, side effects are rare.
Lip fillers are an immensely popular non-surgical option for lip augmentation. Just to start low and slow (don’t go too big for your first treatment), care for your lip fillers, and have some patience. The end results are something worth smiling about.
Take the Plunge
If you’re ready to learn more about lip fillers, consider booking a consultation with First Impressions Rejuvenation Clinic. The compassionate and knowledgeable team at First Impressions is always ready to answer any questions you may have, as well as walk you through the lip filler process step by step. You can ask to see before and after photos of treatment successes and talk about your own treatment goals. What are you waiting for? Put your best face forward!
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