Lip Filler Aftercare: The 15 Tips That Actually Make a Difference

Lip Filler Aftercare: The 15 Tips That Actually Make a Difference

According to plastic surgeons.

Closeup of a person wearing a pink hat and gloves lips slightly partedCloseup of a person wearing a pink hat and gloves lips slightly parted

Death to Stock

Key Takeaways

  • Avoid consuming alcohol and taking NSAIDs after lip fillers to reduce the risk of bruising.
  • Refrain from kissing, using a straw, and applying makeup for at least 24 hours post-procedure.
  • Postpone dental visits and facial massages for one to two weeks to prevent trauma and infection.

As with any invasive procedure, cosmetic or otherwise, it’s vital to have a comprehensive discussion with your board-certified practitioner about aftercare. And the same is true for lip filler. While this treatment is routine for dermatologists and plastic surgeons—and complications are rare—following proper lip filler aftercare instructions will ensure the safest, most beautiful results.

Although injectors vary in their techniques from patient to patient based on factors like individual anatomy and desired results, some guidelines are recommended as the gold standard across the board. So ahead, board-certified plastic surgeons Samuel Lin, MD, Steven Williams, MD, and board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, suggest you avoid these 15 activities while recovering from lip filler.

Meet the Experts

  • Samuel Lin, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon and associate professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School. He is also the co-director of the Harvard Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Fellowship. 
  • Steven Williams, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon, Vice President of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and founder of Tri-Valley Medical Plastic Surgery in San Francisco.
  • Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Dermatology. She is also a member of the Byrdie Review Board.
01of 15

General Trauma to the Lips

Williams advises patients to avoid any type of trauma to the lips immediately after treatment. Because the lips are made up of sensitive tissue, trauma is relative. “It is important to be careful to avoid trauma to the lips, including lip biting.”

02of 15

Eating Foods That Are Too Hot or Too Cold

Williams also recommends that patients stick to eating moderately temperate food immediately following the procedure. Eating food that’s too cold or too hot may “cause frostbite or burn lips if patients are consuming items that are too cold or hot.” He notes that lip fillers alter sensations in lips immediately post-procedure.

Patients are cleared to eat spicy or salty foods post-fillers, notes Williams. Lin adds that “if your lips were numbed for the procedure, it is a good idea to wait until the numbing wears off before eating and drinking.”

03of 15

Consuming Alcohol

According to Lin, to minimize the potential for bruising you should avoid alcohol consumption for the first 24 to 48 hours post-treatment. “Alcohol should be avoided for a few days after receiving filler because alcohol thins the blood and can make bruising worse.” He also suggests you avoid alcohol consumption a few days prior to the procedure for the same reason.

04of 15

Taking Painrelievers

While it may be tempting to pop an Advil before or after the procedure, experts advise again taking any NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, for the first 24 hours before and after receiving lip injections. These OTC medications may mute any lingering physical discomfort but, similar to alcohol, they thin the blood which can exacerbate bruising.

05of 15

Using a Straw

Lin notes that in the immediate 24 to 48 hours post-procedure, it’s best to avoid using a straw to drink. “The pressure and motion needed to use a straw may cause the filler to distort,” he explains.

06of 15

Working Out

It’s best to avoid intense exercise or activity immediately following the procedure. “For the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, patients should avoid strenuous activity or exercise,” says Lin. “These activities can raise your heart rate and blood pressure, which may increase swelling and bruising.”

07of 15

Putting On Lipstick or Lip Balm

For at least eight hours post-treatment, Williams encourages patients to avoid applying lipstick or lip balm. This is to help decrease the potential of infection. “[Balm or gloss] can be used as soon as 24 hours after receiving filler as long as they are applied delicately to avoid putting too much pressure on the fresh filler,” says Lin. “Your lips may be sensitive, so a bland lip balm may be most comfortable initially.” 

08of 15

Applying Makeup

A bit less obvious, experts recommend refraining from putting on any makeup for at least 12 hours after getting lip injections. Not only can makeup introduce bacteria to the healing injection site, but brushes, sponges, and even fingertips can accidentally brush against the lips and apply unnecessary pressure.

09of 15

Sleeping on Your Face

Post-treatment, Lin recommends avoiding any activity that puts direct pressure on your face, like sleeping face down into a pillow. “This is to avoid displacing the filler while it settles,” he says. To be safe, give yourself up to seven days, adds Williams. Sleeping with your head elevated may also help decrease any swelling.

“Once you heal and your lips feel like they are back to normal, you can go back to using your lips as you normally would,” says Lin. “Generally, this takes a matter of days.”

10of 15

Kissing

Kissing, like sleeping on your face, might interfere with how the lip fillers settle into your lips and should be avoided for at least 24 hours post-treatment, according to our experts. And let’s not forget Williams’s aforementioned warning against lip biting.

Byrdie Tip

To help alleviate swelling, Lin suggests ice. “Twenty-four hours after receiving lip filler, you will likely still experience some swelling and bruising. You can continue to apply ice packs as needed to help with any swelling and tenderness.” You can keep icing for up to seven days, or as long as you experience swelling.

11of 15

Smoking

Williams recommends people considering lip fillers refrain from smoking post-treatment. “This can cause vasoconstriction narrowing the blood supply and is generally to be avoided after any invasive procedure,” he says.

For patients who smoke, Lin recommends stopping smoking for “a minimum of one week after treatment. Cigarette smoke interferes with healing and the act of smoking can distort the filler.”

12of 15

Flying

You may also need to avoid air travel post-treatment to prevent additional bruising. Lin recommends refraining from flying for “the first week after receiving filler since the pressure changes on an airplane may worsen bruising.”

13of 15

Visiting the Dentist

You’ll want to avoid scheduling any dental visits after getting lip filler. “One of the greatest risks is having dental work done after lip filler,” Nazarian explains. “This can induce trauma and infection. We generally recommend waiting two weeks after filler to have any dental work done.”

14of 15

Booking a Facial Massage

For the same reason, any type of facial massage—be it gentle, butterfly strokes mid-facial or firmer, lymphatic drainage sweeps—should be avoided for at least one week post-treatment. So be sure to postpone any FaceGym appointments for the time being, and the same goes for Gua sha and even using a jade roller.

15of 15

Gauging Final Results Too Soon

It’s tempting to assess your new look immediately post-procedure, but because of swelling and bruising, it’s best to wait up until one week before gauging the success of your treatment. “As with any invasive procedure there can be bruising or swelling that can last for several days, but most patients can appreciate the final results after seven days,” says Williams.

Lin says that it can sometimes take a bit longer before you can gauge the final results. “It can take up to a month for the filler to fully settle, so you may or may not feel like your lips look slightly overfilled two weeks after the procedure.” You can, he says, expect the results to last up to one year, depending on what type of filler was used. “Hyaluronic acid-based lip filler lasts about six months to a year, depending on how fast your body breaks down the filler.”

Both surgeons note that if at any time post-treatment you have any concerns about the results, even within one month after receiving injections, you should reach out to the injector.

Read more:

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Lip Filler Aftercare: The 15 Tips That Actually Make a Difference

According to plastic surgeons.

Closeup of a person wearing a pink hat and gloves lips slightly partedCloseup of a person wearing a pink hat and gloves lips slightly parted

Death to Stock

Key Takeaways

  • Avoid consuming alcohol and taking NSAIDs after lip fillers to reduce the risk of bruising.
  • Refrain from kissing, using a straw, and applying makeup for at least 24 hours post-procedure.
  • Postpone dental visits and facial massages for one to two weeks to prevent trauma and infection.

As with any invasive procedure, cosmetic or otherwise, it’s vital to have a comprehensive discussion with your board-certified practitioner about aftercare. And the same is true for lip filler. While this treatment is routine for dermatologists and plastic surgeons—and complications are rare—following proper lip filler aftercare instructions will ensure the safest, most beautiful results.

Although injectors vary in their techniques from patient to patient based on factors like individual anatomy and desired results, some guidelines are recommended as the gold standard across the board. So ahead, board-certified plastic surgeons Samuel Lin, MD, Steven Williams, MD, and board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, suggest you avoid these 15 activities while recovering from lip filler.

Meet the Experts

  • Samuel Lin, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon and associate professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School. He is also the co-director of the Harvard Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Fellowship. 
  • Steven Williams, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon, Vice President of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and founder of Tri-Valley Medical Plastic Surgery in San Francisco.
  • Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Dermatology. She is also a member of the Byrdie Review Board.
01of 15

General Trauma to the Lips

Williams advises patients to avoid any type of trauma to the lips immediately after treatment. Because the lips are made up of sensitive tissue, trauma is relative. “It is important to be careful to avoid trauma to the lips, including lip biting.”

02of 15

Eating Foods That Are Too Hot or Too Cold

Williams also recommends that patients stick to eating moderately temperate food immediately following the procedure. Eating food that’s too cold or too hot may “cause frostbite or burn lips if patients are consuming items that are too cold or hot.” He notes that lip fillers alter sensations in lips immediately post-procedure.

Patients are cleared to eat spicy or salty foods post-fillers, notes Williams. Lin adds that “if your lips were numbed for the procedure, it is a good idea to wait until the numbing wears off before eating and drinking.”

03of 15

Consuming Alcohol

According to Lin, to minimize the potential for bruising you should avoid alcohol consumption for the first 24 to 48 hours post-treatment. “Alcohol should be avoided for a few days after receiving filler because alcohol thins the blood and can make bruising worse.” He also suggests you avoid alcohol consumption a few days prior to the procedure for the same reason.

04of 15

Taking Painrelievers

While it may be tempting to pop an Advil before or after the procedure, experts advise again taking any NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, for the first 24 hours before and after receiving lip injections. These OTC medications may mute any lingering physical discomfort but, similar to alcohol, they thin the blood which can exacerbate bruising.

05of 15

Using a Straw

Lin notes that in the immediate 24 to 48 hours post-procedure, it’s best to avoid using a straw to drink. “The pressure and motion needed to use a straw may cause the filler to distort,” he explains.

06of 15

Working Out

It’s best to avoid intense exercise or activity immediately following the procedure. “For the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, patients should avoid strenuous activity or exercise,” says Lin. “These activities can raise your heart rate and blood pressure, which may increase swelling and bruising.”

07of 15

Putting On Lipstick or Lip Balm

For at least eight hours post-treatment, Williams encourages patients to avoid applying lipstick or lip balm. This is to help decrease the potential of infection. “[Balm or gloss] can be used as soon as 24 hours after receiving filler as long as they are applied delicately to avoid putting too much pressure on the fresh filler,” says Lin. “Your lips may be sensitive, so a bland lip balm may be most comfortable initially.” 

08of 15

Applying Makeup

A bit less obvious, experts recommend refraining from putting on any makeup for at least 12 hours after getting lip injections. Not only can makeup introduce bacteria to the healing injection site, but brushes, sponges, and even fingertips can accidentally brush against the lips and apply unnecessary pressure.

09of 15

Sleeping on Your Face

Post-treatment, Lin recommends avoiding any activity that puts direct pressure on your face, like sleeping face down into a pillow. “This is to avoid displacing the filler while it settles,” he says. To be safe, give yourself up to seven days, adds Williams. Sleeping with your head elevated may also help decrease any swelling.

“Once you heal and your lips feel like they are back to normal, you can go back to using your lips as you normally would,” says Lin. “Generally, this takes a matter of days.”

10of 15

Kissing

Kissing, like sleeping on your face, might interfere with how the lip fillers settle into your lips and should be avoided for at least 24 hours post-treatment, according to our experts. And let’s not forget Williams’s aforementioned warning against lip biting.

Byrdie Tip

To help alleviate swelling, Lin suggests ice. “Twenty-four hours after receiving lip filler, you will likely still experience some swelling and bruising. You can continue to apply ice packs as needed to help with any swelling and tenderness.” You can keep icing for up to seven days, or as long as you experience swelling.

11of 15

Smoking

Williams recommends people considering lip fillers refrain from smoking post-treatment. “This can cause vasoconstriction narrowing the blood supply and is generally to be avoided after any invasive procedure,” he says.

For patients who smoke, Lin recommends stopping smoking for “a minimum of one week after treatment. Cigarette smoke interferes with healing and the act of smoking can distort the filler.”

12of 15

Flying

You may also need to avoid air travel post-treatment to prevent additional bruising. Lin recommends refraining from flying for “the first week after receiving filler since the pressure changes on an airplane may worsen bruising.”

13of 15

Visiting the Dentist

You’ll want to avoid scheduling any dental visits after getting lip filler. “One of the greatest risks is having dental work done after lip filler,” Nazarian explains. “This can induce trauma and infection. We generally recommend waiting two weeks after filler to have any dental work done.”

14of 15

Booking a Facial Massage

For the same reason, any type of facial massage—be it gentle, butterfly strokes mid-facial or firmer, lymphatic drainage sweeps—should be avoided for at least one week post-treatment. So be sure to postpone any FaceGym appointments for the time being, and the same goes for Gua sha and even using a jade roller.

15of 15

Gauging Final Results Too Soon

It’s tempting to assess your new look immediately post-procedure, but because of swelling and bruising, it’s best to wait up until one week before gauging the success of your treatment. “As with any invasive procedure there can be bruising or swelling that can last for several days, but most patients can appreciate the final results after seven days,” says Williams.

Lin says that it can sometimes take a bit longer before you can gauge the final results. “It can take up to a month for the filler to fully settle, so you may or may not feel like your lips look slightly overfilled two weeks after the procedure.” You can, he says, expect the results to last up to one year, depending on what type of filler was used. “Hyaluronic acid-based lip filler lasts about six months to a year, depending on how fast your body breaks down the filler.”

Both surgeons note that if at any time post-treatment you have any concerns about the results, even within one month after receiving injections, you should reach out to the injector.

Read more:
Closeup of a person wearing a pink hat and gloves lips slightly partedCloseup of a person wearing a pink hat and gloves lips slightly parted

Death to Stock

Key Takeaways

  • Avoid consuming alcohol and taking NSAIDs after lip fillers to reduce the risk of bruising.
  • Refrain from kissing, using a straw, and applying makeup for at least 24 hours post-procedure.
  • Postpone dental visits and facial massages for one to two weeks to prevent trauma and infection.

As with any invasive procedure, cosmetic or otherwise, it’s vital to have a comprehensive discussion with your board-certified practitioner about aftercare. And the same is true for lip filler. While this treatment is routine for dermatologists and plastic surgeons—and complications are rare—following proper lip filler aftercare instructions will ensure the safest, most beautiful results.

Although injectors vary in their techniques from patient to patient based on factors like individual anatomy and desired results, some guidelines are recommended as the gold standard across the board. So ahead, board-certified plastic surgeons Samuel Lin, MD, Steven Williams, MD, and board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, suggest you avoid these 15 activities while recovering from lip filler.

Meet the Experts

  • Samuel Lin, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon and associate professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School. He is also the co-director of the Harvard Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Fellowship. 
  • Steven Williams, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon, Vice President of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and founder of Tri-Valley Medical Plastic Surgery in San Francisco.
  • Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Dermatology. She is also a member of the Byrdie Review Board.
01of 15

General Trauma to the Lips

Williams advises patients to avoid any type of trauma to the lips immediately after treatment. Because the lips are made up of sensitive tissue, trauma is relative. “It is important to be careful to avoid trauma to the lips, including lip biting.”

02of 15

Eating Foods That Are Too Hot or Too Cold

Williams also recommends that patients stick to eating moderately temperate food immediately following the procedure. Eating food that’s too cold or too hot may “cause frostbite or burn lips if patients are consuming items that are too cold or hot.” He notes that lip fillers alter sensations in lips immediately post-procedure.

Patients are cleared to eat spicy or salty foods post-fillers, notes Williams. Lin adds that “if your lips were numbed for the procedure, it is a good idea to wait until the numbing wears off before eating and drinking.”

03of 15

Consuming Alcohol

According to Lin, to minimize the potential for bruising you should avoid alcohol consumption for the first 24 to 48 hours post-treatment. “Alcohol should be avoided for a few days after receiving filler because alcohol thins the blood and can make bruising worse.” He also suggests you avoid alcohol consumption a few days prior to the procedure for the same reason.

04of 15

Taking Painrelievers

While it may be tempting to pop an Advil before or after the procedure, experts advise again taking any NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, for the first 24 hours before and after receiving lip injections. These OTC medications may mute any lingering physical discomfort but, similar to alcohol, they thin the blood which can exacerbate bruising.

05of 15

Using a Straw

Lin notes that in the immediate 24 to 48 hours post-procedure, it’s best to avoid using a straw to drink. “The pressure and motion needed to use a straw may cause the filler to distort,” he explains.

06of 15

Working Out

It’s best to avoid intense exercise or activity immediately following the procedure. “For the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, patients should avoid strenuous activity or exercise,” says Lin. “These activities can raise your heart rate and blood pressure, which may increase swelling and bruising.”

07of 15

Putting On Lipstick or Lip Balm

For at least eight hours post-treatment, Williams encourages patients to avoid applying lipstick or lip balm. This is to help decrease the potential of infection. “[Balm or gloss] can be used as soon as 24 hours after receiving filler as long as they are applied delicately to avoid putting too much pressure on the fresh filler,” says Lin. “Your lips may be sensitive, so a bland lip balm may be most comfortable initially.” 

08of 15

Applying Makeup

A bit less obvious, experts recommend refraining from putting on any makeup for at least 12 hours after getting lip injections. Not only can makeup introduce bacteria to the healing injection site, but brushes, sponges, and even fingertips can accidentally brush against the lips and apply unnecessary pressure.

09of 15

Sleeping on Your Face

Post-treatment, Lin recommends avoiding any activity that puts direct pressure on your face, like sleeping face down into a pillow. “This is to avoid displacing the filler while it settles,” he says. To be safe, give yourself up to seven days, adds Williams. Sleeping with your head elevated may also help decrease any swelling.

“Once you heal and your lips feel like they are back to normal, you can go back to using your lips as you normally would,” says Lin. “Generally, this takes a matter of days.”

10of 15

Kissing

Kissing, like sleeping on your face, might interfere with how the lip fillers settle into your lips and should be avoided for at least 24 hours post-treatment, according to our experts. And let’s not forget Williams’s aforementioned warning against lip biting.

Byrdie Tip

To help alleviate swelling, Lin suggests ice. “Twenty-four hours after receiving lip filler, you will likely still experience some swelling and bruising. You can continue to apply ice packs as needed to help with any swelling and tenderness.” You can keep icing for up to seven days, or as long as you experience swelling.

11of 15

Smoking

Williams recommends people considering lip fillers refrain from smoking post-treatment. “This can cause vasoconstriction narrowing the blood supply and is generally to be avoided after any invasive procedure,” he says.

For patients who smoke, Lin recommends stopping smoking for “a minimum of one week after treatment. Cigarette smoke interferes with healing and the act of smoking can distort the filler.”

12of 15

Flying

You may also need to avoid air travel post-treatment to prevent additional bruising. Lin recommends refraining from flying for “the first week after receiving filler since the pressure changes on an airplane may worsen bruising.”

13of 15

Visiting the Dentist

You’ll want to avoid scheduling any dental visits after getting lip filler. “One of the greatest risks is having dental work done after lip filler,” Nazarian explains. “This can induce trauma and infection. We generally recommend waiting two weeks after filler to have any dental work done.”

14of 15

Booking a Facial Massage

For the same reason, any type of facial massage—be it gentle, butterfly strokes mid-facial or firmer, lymphatic drainage sweeps—should be avoided for at least one week post-treatment. So be sure to postpone any FaceGym appointments for the time being, and the same goes for Gua sha and even using a jade roller.

15of 15

Gauging Final Results Too Soon

It’s tempting to assess your new look immediately post-procedure, but because of swelling and bruising, it’s best to wait up until one week before gauging the success of your treatment. “As with any invasive procedure there can be bruising or swelling that can last for several days, but most patients can appreciate the final results after seven days,” says Williams.

Lin says that it can sometimes take a bit longer before you can gauge the final results. “It can take up to a month for the filler to fully settle, so you may or may not feel like your lips look slightly overfilled two weeks after the procedure.” You can, he says, expect the results to last up to one year, depending on what type of filler was used. “Hyaluronic acid-based lip filler lasts about six months to a year, depending on how fast your body breaks down the filler.”

Both surgeons note that if at any time post-treatment you have any concerns about the results, even within one month after receiving injections, you should reach out to the injector.

01of 15

General Trauma to the Lips

Williams advises patients to avoid any type of trauma to the lips immediately after treatment. Because the lips are made up of sensitive tissue, trauma is relative. “It is important to be careful to avoid trauma to the lips, including lip biting.”

02of 15

Eating Foods That Are Too Hot or Too Cold

Williams also recommends that patients stick to eating moderately temperate food immediately following the procedure. Eating food that’s too cold or too hot may “cause frostbite or burn lips if patients are consuming items that are too cold or hot.” He notes that lip fillers alter sensations in lips immediately post-procedure.

Patients are cleared to eat spicy or salty foods post-fillers, notes Williams. Lin adds that “if your lips were numbed for the procedure, it is a good idea to wait until the numbing wears off before eating and drinking.”

03of 15

Consuming Alcohol

According to Lin, to minimize the potential for bruising you should avoid alcohol consumption for the first 24 to 48 hours post-treatment. “Alcohol should be avoided for a few days after receiving filler because alcohol thins the blood and can make bruising worse.” He also suggests you avoid alcohol consumption a few days prior to the procedure for the same reason.

04of 15

Taking Painrelievers

While it may be tempting to pop an Advil before or after the procedure, experts advise again taking any NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, for the first 24 hours before and after receiving lip injections. These OTC medications may mute any lingering physical discomfort but, similar to alcohol, they thin the blood which can exacerbate bruising.

05of 15

Using a Straw

Lin notes that in the immediate 24 to 48 hours post-procedure, it’s best to avoid using a straw to drink. “The pressure and motion needed to use a straw may cause the filler to distort,” he explains.

06of 15

Working Out

It’s best to avoid intense exercise or activity immediately following the procedure. “For the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, patients should avoid strenuous activity or exercise,” says Lin. “These activities can raise your heart rate and blood pressure, which may increase swelling and bruising.”

07of 15

Putting On Lipstick or Lip Balm

For at least eight hours post-treatment, Williams encourages patients to avoid applying lipstick or lip balm. This is to help decrease the potential of infection. “[Balm or gloss] can be used as soon as 24 hours after receiving filler as long as they are applied delicately to avoid putting too much pressure on the fresh filler,” says Lin. “Your lips may be sensitive, so a bland lip balm may be most comfortable initially.” 

08of 15

Applying Makeup

A bit less obvious, experts recommend refraining from putting on any makeup for at least 12 hours after getting lip injections. Not only can makeup introduce bacteria to the healing injection site, but brushes, sponges, and even fingertips can accidentally brush against the lips and apply unnecessary pressure.

09of 15

Sleeping on Your Face

Post-treatment, Lin recommends avoiding any activity that puts direct pressure on your face, like sleeping face down into a pillow. “This is to avoid displacing the filler while it settles,” he says. To be safe, give yourself up to seven days, adds Williams. Sleeping with your head elevated may also help decrease any swelling.

“Once you heal and your lips feel like they are back to normal, you can go back to using your lips as you normally would,” says Lin. “Generally, this takes a matter of days.”

10of 15

Kissing

Kissing, like sleeping on your face, might interfere with how the lip fillers settle into your lips and should be avoided for at least 24 hours post-treatment, according to our experts. And let’s not forget Williams’s aforementioned warning against lip biting.

Byrdie Tip

To help alleviate swelling, Lin suggests ice. “Twenty-four hours after receiving lip filler, you will likely still experience some swelling and bruising. You can continue to apply ice packs as needed to help with any swelling and tenderness.” You can keep icing for up to seven days, or as long as you experience swelling.

11of 15

Smoking

Williams recommends people considering lip fillers refrain from smoking post-treatment. “This can cause vasoconstriction narrowing the blood supply and is generally to be avoided after any invasive procedure,” he says.

For patients who smoke, Lin recommends stopping smoking for “a minimum of one week after treatment. Cigarette smoke interferes with healing and the act of smoking can distort the filler.”

12of 15

Flying

You may also need to avoid air travel post-treatment to prevent additional bruising. Lin recommends refraining from flying for “the first week after receiving filler since the pressure changes on an airplane may worsen bruising.”

13of 15

Visiting the Dentist

You’ll want to avoid scheduling any dental visits after getting lip filler. “One of the greatest risks is having dental work done after lip filler,” Nazarian explains. “This can induce trauma and infection. We generally recommend waiting two weeks after filler to have any dental work done.”

14of 15

Booking a Facial Massage

For the same reason, any type of facial massage—be it gentle, butterfly strokes mid-facial or firmer, lymphatic drainage sweeps—should be avoided for at least one week post-treatment. So be sure to postpone any FaceGym appointments for the time being, and the same goes for Gua sha and even using a jade roller.

15of 15

Gauging Final Results Too Soon

It’s tempting to assess your new look immediately post-procedure, but because of swelling and bruising, it’s best to wait up until one week before gauging the success of your treatment. “As with any invasive procedure there can be bruising or swelling that can last for several days, but most patients can appreciate the final results after seven days,” says Williams.

Lin says that it can sometimes take a bit longer before you can gauge the final results. “It can take up to a month for the filler to fully settle, so you may or may not feel like your lips look slightly overfilled two weeks after the procedure.” You can, he says, expect the results to last up to one year, depending on what type of filler was used. “Hyaluronic acid-based lip filler lasts about six months to a year, depending on how fast your body breaks down the filler.”

Both surgeons note that if at any time post-treatment you have any concerns about the results, even within one month after receiving injections, you should reach out to the injector.

Source URL: https://www.byrdie.com/lip-filler-aftercare-11887997


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