What to Expect After Lip Fillers

Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvéderm have given us a new ally in the pursuit of a perfect pout. If you’re planning to get your lips enhanced with filler, what should you know about this procedure? As a clinical professor of dermatology, Dr. Seth Matarasso can provide a closer look at the top five things to expect after lip fillers.

1. Results Aren’t Permanent

Filler results don’t last forever because your body will metabolize the hyaluronic acid over time. Still, you can expect to enjoy your new look for six to nine months, and you can return for a quick touch-up treatment whenever you’re ready. Lip injections are an in-office procedure that’s minimally invasive and takes only a few minutes to perform.

2. Side Effects Are Minimal

You’ll see immediate results with lip fillers, but you may also have swelling, redness, and bruising around the injection sites. To help manage these side effects, wrap an ice pack in a clean cloth and apply it to your lips at 10-minute intervals. If you feel any pain, you can use an over-the-counter painkiller like Tylenol to manage it. However, avoid ibuprofen, which thins the blood.

3. Observe Activity Restrictions 

If you choose, you can return to work and other daily responsibilities after treatment. However, there are specific things you’ll need to avoid to minimize your chances of complications.

  • Don’t do strenuous exercise for 24 to 48 hours after you get lip fillers. Elevated heart rate from exercise may make swelling or bruising worse. It’s OK to engage in light activities like walking.
  • Steer clear of high-heat environments like saunas, Jacuzzis, or hot yoga classes for 48 hours after getting your injections. Heat can make swelling appear more pronounced. 
  • Don’t smoke or drink alcohol before or after getting lip fillers. Smoking increases the risk of infection, while alcohol thins the blood and makes you more susceptible to bruising and swelling.
  • You shouldn’t put makeup on your lips for 24 hours afterward.

4. Timing Is Essential

If you’re getting fillers in the lead-up to an event where you want to look your best, such as a wedding, vacation, or class reunion, you’ll want to give the fillers enough time to settle in and provide your desired look. This process can take up to four weeks, so be mindful of that when you schedule your appointment.

5. Choose Your Provider Wisely

The popularity of fillers has led many salons and medspas to offer them as a beauty treatment, even if the person performing the injections is not medically qualified to do so. Even for a treatment that seems relatively straightforward, you should be selective about who does your injections. A medical professional with skill at administering lip filler can make the process quick and nearly painless, while injecting precise amounts of filler into strategic areas to achieve the best – and safest – results.

The Best Place to Get Lip Fillers in San Francisco

If you’re looking for a provider of lip fillers in the greater Bay Area, Dr. Matarasso is here to meet with you for an in-person consultation to discuss your aesthetic goals. Please reach out to us today to learn more.