Lip fillers are one of the most commonly performed cosmetic medical treatments world-wide, but one common concern that persists is that having lip fillers might be painful. If you’re wondering whether getting lip filler injections will hurt, or if you’ve had treatment before and want to know how to reduce pain from lip fillers, read on.
Does lip filler hurt?
Lip fillers can cause some discomfort during the injection process, but the level of discomfort can vary depending on an individual’s pain tolerance and the specific type of filler being used. Some people report feeling only a minor sting or pinch, while others may experience more pain. One of the most important factors in the level of discomfort with lip filler is the injection technique. When your practitioner exercises a great degree of care in the injection process, the discomfort can be significantly minimised.
Why is lip filler painful?
The lips are one of the most sensitive areas of the body because they have a large number of sensory nerve endings and blood vessels. They skin of the lips is also very thin and delicate, and lacks the same level of protective barrier compared to the skin in other parts of the body. Specific areas of the lip are more sensitive than others as they have larger numbers of these sensory nerves. When you experience discomfort from lip filler, there are generally two reasons why.
The first is from the actual penetration of the needle through the surface. This is often experienced as a slight pinching sensation, and only lasts a second.
The second reason is from the actual injection of the filler material into the lips. When filler is placed in the lips, it expands the lip tissue causing microscopic stretching (not to a degree that causes any damage). Stretching of the connective tissue of the lips can cause pain, and is the main reason why lip filler can cause discomfort. Fortunately, with a very gentle injection technique, the discomfort from the actual injection of filler can be effectively controlled.
Overall, the pain associated with lip fillers is generally considered to be minimal and manageable when performed gently and with the appropriate use of pain relief.
Is the recovery from lip fillers painful?
After your treatment, you will get an immediate result, however it is important to allow time for the swelling to subside and the filler to settle. Recovery from lip fillers is generally not painful, but you may experience some swelling, mild bruising, and slight tenderness around the injection sites. These side effects are usually mild and should resolve within a few days. Some people may also feel a temporary “lumpiness” in their lips after the procedure.
How to minimise pain from lip fillers
There are several ways to minimise discomfort during lip filler injections:
- Numbing cream: Your practitioner may apply a numbing cream to the area before injecting the filler to help reduce discomfort.
- Local anesthesia: Injections of local anaesthetic can be performed to completely numb the nerves that supply sensation to the top and bottom lips (similar to when a dentist number your teeth). This is a very effective method of pain relief during lip filler injections.
- Using fillers with anaesthetic: Most lip fillers contain lidocaine, a local anesthetic, which can help reduce pain during the procedure. At Cosmetic Connection, we only use lip fillers with lidocaine (unless you are allergic) to ensure your treatment has almost no pain.
- Ice: Applying a wrapped ice pack to the area before and after the procedure may help reduce pain and swelling.
- Oral pain medication: Your practitioner may recommend taking over-the-counter pain medication, such as paracetamol, before the procedure to help manage discomfort.
- Relaxation techniques: Taking deep breaths and focusing on relaxing your muscles can help reduce pain and discomfort during the procedure.
- Good injection technique: A gentle and accurate injection technique will minimise local trauma to the lip tissue, minimising any discomfort.
The best approach to pain relief for lip fillers is to use a combination of techniques.
Do lip fillers hurt with numbing cream?
As a doctor-led cosmetic clinic, the team at Cosmetic Connection have access to high-strength numbing cream that can essentially completely numb your lips before filler injections. We ensure that we allow enough time for the numbing cream to take full effect before your lip injections. Our approach to lip fillers is designed to achieve beautiful results while minimising swelling, bruising and pain. Our practitioners are skilled at sculpting a great result with minimal injection points, and only use ultra-fine needles for the procedure.
It’s important to discuss your concerns about pain with your practitioner before the procedure. They can provide you with more specific tips and recommendations based on your individual needs and situation.
