Immediately after your treatment, your injector will provide you with a complimentary iced compress to alleviate any discomfort. Aftercare is usually minimal, and typically involves icing to reduce post-injection swelling.
For the best recovery after lip fillers, see the following instructions for after your treatment:
- Use an ice pack or cool compress intermittently to keep swelling at bay.
- Limit sun exposure and drink plenty of water in the days following treatment.
- Arnica gel (available for purchase in the office) can also be applied to your lips to reduce the potential for swelling and bruising, or arnica tablets can be taken by mouth to the same effect.
Generally, lip augmentation is a procedure with minimal risk. However, low-risk does not mean no risk, which is why the medical professionals at Donaldson Plastic Surgery are committed to providing all procedures in safe environment, and prioritizing patient safety above all else.
The most common possible side effects include short-term bruising, swelling, minor lumps and bumps, and discomfort, which are normal to experience after lip injections. This is your body’s natural inflammatory response at work, and the effects will typically subside within a week. Lumps and bumps in the lips will smooth out naturally over the course of a couple of weeks. It is possible that these symptoms may persist longer, or that redness, tenderness, and bleeding may occur. In certain individuals, inflammation after treatment may trigger the appearance of site-specific cold sores or rashes. Other, less common, possible side effects include more serious complications related to vascular occlusion or infection.
How Long Will My Swelling Last?
Bruising and swelling after lip filler depends on the person. On average, most of the noticeable swelling will take anywhere from 4 days to 14 days to subside, but a small amount of residual swelling may take longer to dissipate entirely. As time passes, your lips will continue to settle into their new shape and you will see your true results in about 2 weeks.
Should I Come in for a Follow-Up Appointment?
The answer to this question: only if you want to! Before coming in for a follow-up appointment, we ask patients to wait a full two weeks for swelling to subside. At that point, touch-ups, tweaks, and adjustments can be made to make your filler exactly how you would like it. If you are happy with your treatment, no follow-up is necessary!
If, for any reason, you are unhappy with the outcome, please call our office to discuss. Filler can be adjusted, or simply and safely dissolved using hyaluronidase. We ask you to wait two weeks before seeking these options.