Lip fillers are a popular cosmetic treatment, but even then, it’s important to be informed about the procedure and the dos and don’t before choosing to get it done. Like every cosmetic treatment, there are simple dos and don’ts to follow to ensure the best results with our lip fillers.

The Dos of Lip Fillers

Do Your Research

Research clinics and aestheticians before commiting to lip fillers. Even thought they’re a temporary treatment, make sure that you know what you’re getting. Read online reviews, look at the clinic’s website for FAQs, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to talk to the doctor about their experience doing lip fillers. Most doctors have “before and after” pictures so you can see their work. Your aesthetician needs to have a good understanding of anatomy to avoid scarring or the posibility of hitting blood vessels. Without doing research, you are taking a chance of getting an unnatural appearance or scarring.

While this is usually considered a “lunchtime treatment,” lip fillers are not totally risk-free. Communicate with your doctor if you are allergic to any of the products being used or if you get frequent cold sores.

Go Slow

With lip fillers, bigger isn’t always better. It will make you look fake and “plastic” instead of natural. Take it slow, and always opt for a smaller amount of lip filler to start. You can always ramp up in later sessions if you want a fuller look. Overly filled lips may cause regret and won’t give you a fuller-looking lip. It can look uncomfortable and give you the dreaded “duck lips.” Go slow and know you can always add more down the road.

Stay Hydrated

Before and after the procedure, be sure to drink lots of water. Staying properly hydrated will help with the amount of downtime you need. Water boosts your body’s ability to heal and can help tame swelling and inflammation. Be sure to get penty of water.

Prepare Yourself for Discomfort

Lip fillers do not cause a great deal of pain, however you may experience a bit of discomfort in the injection areas. Lips are very sensitive areas. We can apply a topical numbing cream if necessary. This will take the level of pain down to a slight throbbing or just pressure.

Avoid Disrupting the Area Before Your Procedure

This means you shouldn’t wax. bleach, tweeze, or use a hair removal cream around your lip for a few days before getting lip fillers. This may affect healing, lead to infection, or severe inflammation.

The Don’ts of Lip Fillers

Don’t Use Anti-Inflammatory Medication

You may think it’s beneficial to take ibuprofen or aspirin before your treatment to help reduce pain and swelling, but these anti-inflammatory medications are also blood thinners. This increases the risk of bleeding and bruising at the injection site. Coffee and wine can do the same thing – so avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol the day before and after your procedure.

Don’t Touch Your Lips

Avoid touching and massaging your newly plumped lips as tempting as it seems. If you massage them, you may move the filler around, making your lips look uneven. The more you mess with them, the greater the chance is they won’t look how you expect.

Avoid Exercising After the Treatment

For at least 24-hours after the procedure, avoid exercising or doing activities that increase blood flow to your face. This can cause inflammation. While getting lip fillers doesn’t require a lot of downtime, you should do everything you can to help your body heal.

Don’t Have Expectations That They’ll Last Forever

Lip fillers are a temporary treatment. They have a longevity of 6-12 months, and after that time period you will have to get more filler to keep your lips plump. Our bodies metabolize the filler overtime, so having them return to their normalize size is a good thing – what you want to avoid is having them deflate or look “saggy.”

We’re Here to Give Your Lips an Upgrade

At Radiant Dermatology, our team has years of medical training and experience in aesthetics and cosmetic treatments. We’ll walk you through the procedure from start to finish so you are confident in the treatment you are getting and to ensure you are in safe hands.

To learn more about our lip filler treatments, fill out the form below.

‍