Aftercare Guide: Lip Enhancement

By Dr. Aaron Stanes

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    So, now that you’ve undergone a lip enhancement with lip filler injections, you’ll want to ensure that it looks great for as long as possible.

    Here at Cosmetic Connection, we believe that patient education is one of the most important parts of your treatment journey. While the procedure may be minor and non-surgical, it is vital that you know how to make the most of your treatment by carefully adhering to the aftercare instructions for your lip enhancement.

    Following the lip enhancement aftercare is an effective way to achieve and maintain a great and long-lasting result.

     

    What should I avoid after a lip filler injections?

    Until the day after your lip enhancement, you should avoid:

    • Applying makeup to the injected areas
    • Lying down with pressure on the treated areas

    If you have a history of cold sores, you may need to take anti-viral medication on the day of your treatment to prevent an outbreak. If you unsure whether or not you need to take cold sore medicine, please ask your practitioner.

    For the first 24 hours after a lip enhancement, you should avoid:

    • Intense exercise
    • Excessive alcohol
    • Smoking

    For the first 7 days after your treatment, you should avoid:

    • Applying firm pressure to the injected areas
    • Massaging your lips (unless directed to do so)

     

    How to reduce swelling after lip fillers

    Here are some great ways you can minimise any swelling from your lip enhancement treatment:

    • Avoid hot environments until the swelling has resolved. This includes hot showers, saunas and sitting out in the sun.
    • You can take an antihistamine on the day of your treatment, as long as you are medically suitable.
    • Avoid touching, scratching or picking at the skin of the treated areas.
    • Gently apply a wrapped ice pack intermittently (10 minutes on, 10 minutes off) for the first 4 hours after your treatment.

     

    How to reduce bruising after lip fillers

    If you are worried about bruising from your lip enhancement, consider following these steps:

    • Avoid excessive alcohol for 24 hours
    • Avoid intense exercise for the first day
    • Gently apply a wrapped cold pack intermittently for the first few hours after your lip enhancement (be careful not to apply any pressure).

    If you have bruising after a lip enhancement, you can cover it with makeup the day after your treatment.

     

    What to expect in the first few months after lip fillers

    You can look forward to enjoying an immediate improvement in the appearance of your lip.

    In the first few days, there may be some mild swelling and tenderness. Your lips may feel slightly firmer than usual. The final result should be visible 1-2 weeks after your procedure when the swelling fully subsides and the treatment fully settles.

    If it is your first treatment, or all of the filler from your previous treatment has worn off before you come back for another session, there is a small chance that you will notice a slight drop in the visible result over the first few months where fillers have been used. In such cases, a second treatment can be performed to achieve an even better and more stable result.

    You can expect your lip enhancement to look great for 12-24 months on average (although a lip flip will need maintenance every 2-4 months). Your body will gradually break down the injected lip filler, meaning the result will slowly wear off over time.

    Most patients revisit their lip enhancement every 12-24 months on average to maintain their result.

    When treated correctly, fillers will not permanently affect your lips. If you don’t maintain your result, the lip fillers will gradually wear off, returning your lips to their natural shape and size.

     

    Are there any side effects with lip fillers?

    All cosmetic medical procedures have potential side effects.

    When performed with skill, caution and care, a lip enhancement treatment is categorised as a low-risk procedure. You can reduce the risk of side effects by following proper lip enhancement aftercare.

    While it is unlikely, some lip enhancement treatment side effects that you may experience include:

    • Skin redness that will gradually improve in the first few days.
    • Bruising which has about a 10-25% risk, is usually mild and can be covered with makeup.
    • Mild swelling that may make the treated area appear slightly over-corrected for the first 1-3 days.

    If you ever notice any rashes or skin discolouration after lip enhancement fillers, it is important that you get in touch with us for an assessment. You can send a photo of your concerns using our contact form.

     

    Why is lip filler aftercare important?

    No matter if it’s your first lip enhancement treatment or your tenth, following the lip enhancement aftercare is very important.

    Following these aftercare instructions for your lip enhancement with lip filler injections is the best way to care for your new look, reduce the chance of side effects and prolong your result.

    While these lip filler aftercare steps may seem minor and trivial, not following them may compromise your result.

    We want you to achieve the best result possible and love your new look, so please, take care.

     

    Lip enhancement with lip filler injections

    Here at Cosmetic Connection, lip enhancement with fillers is one of our most popular treatments, and a favourite among our clinical team.

    It is a great option to achieve more attractive and balanced lips, especially if you aren’t genetically blessed. It’s also an option if you’ve noticed your lips becoming thin and deflated with the ageing process. They are a great way to reverse lip ageing, restoring them to a more youthful condition.

    Lip enhancement may involve a combination of treatment applications using lip filler and a lip flip. The specific combination will depend on your unique anatomy and treatment goals.

    Check out our comprehensive lip enhancement treatment page for more information on this procedure.

    Close-up of lips showing a before-and-after comparison. The top image shows lips with minor cracks and dryness; the bottom image shows smoother, fuller lips with improved texture and hydration, likely after a cosmetic treatment.

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