If you’re thinking about having fillers in your lips, you might be wondering how long it will take for them to return to their normal soft state. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to keep the process as smooth and painless as possible. Here are some tips:
Avoiding alcohol
While drinking alcohol isn’t strictly necessary to avoid hard lips after fillers, it’s important to stay away from it for 48 to 72 hours before your appointment. Alcohol dilates the blood vessels, increasing the risk of bruising and swelling after lip fillers. In addition to causing pain and swelling, alcohol can also worsen the side effects of fillers. So, if you’re planning on having fillers, avoid alcohol for the few days before your appointment.
Several studies have shown that drinking alcohol two to three weeks before a filler procedure is harmful to the healing process. It can prolong the healing process, increase infection risk, and cause hard lips. In addition, alcohol can cause the lips to be more prone to excessive licking, resulting in infection. Therefore, it’s best to avoid alcohol and caffeine until the healing process has been fully completed.
In addition to causing swelling and bruising, alcohol thins the blood and increases the risk of infection and bruising after a lip filler procedure. Alcohol is also a dehydrating substance, and drinking water prior to the procedure can help reduce the risk of bruising. Also, avoid smoking and vaping, since both of these habits can increase your risk of infection and can exacerbate bruising.
Avoiding strenuous exercise
After lip filler therapy, patients are generally advised to refrain from vigorous physical activities for at least 24 hours. Increased physical activity increases blood flow in the lips, which can lead to discomfort. In addition, sweating can introduce bacteria into the lip area, increasing the risk of infection around the injection sites. Also, excessive perspiration can cause dehydration, so drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids.
Patients are also advised to avoid touching their lips for three to four days following the treatment. The swelling that occurs after fillers may prolong the healing time and increase the risk of infection. Patients are also advised not to use drinking straws or saunas for 48 hours. Bruising will usually disappear after this period. Afterwards, patients are advised to avoid eating or drinking anything that will result in further swelling or pain.
Avoiding heated environments
Most patients experience minimal downtime after lip augmentation, but it may take several days before you can see full effects of the treatment. You may experience swelling, bruising, or tenderness, depending on your injecting strategy. Typically, the injections will last at least three weeks. Avoiding heated environments after fillers can help prevent your lips from hardening. However, you must be careful to avoid direct sunlight or exposing your lips to air-conditioning.
Avoiding vascular occlusion
Although injecting intraluminal fillers is an excellent method for minimally invasive face rejuvenation, it can cause a potentially harmful side effect known as vascular occlusion. The filler travels down the vessel and lodges, obstructing blood flow to dependent areas. Even more potentially dangerous is the possibility of smaller pieces of filler flowing out of the injection site and into very small arterioles. In addition, some theories suggest that the filler may trigger an inflammatory response/cascade, which can further worsen the injury.
Vascular occlusion after fillers is a rare but serious complication that can lead to tissue necrosis or embolism. The most effective treatment for preventing this complication is to carefully and repeatedly inject the filler to the desired area. During the procedure, the injector should use a blunt tip cannula, inject in a small amount and inject slowly.
To minimize the risk of vascular occlusion, a well-trained injector should take extra care during the injection. By understanding how the veins and blood vessels work, an injector can better guide a patient through vascular occlusion prevention. Even with a highly skilled injector, a patient is still at risk for vascular occlusion, so it is vital to choose a highly experienced, well-trained professional.
Signs of filler migration
Although you may have heard about filler migration, are you aware of the signs? It is an uncommon complication and no big deal if you’re able to spot it. Fillers are semi-permanent, so your body will naturally break them down over time. However, there are some precautions you should take to minimize the risk of filler migration. These include following post-filler massage precautions, and consulting with a qualified practitioner.
Inflammation is a natural reaction to a foreign substance. While not a major cause of filler migration, it can be an indication of poorly applied product or technique. The injection site may also have temporary swelling or hematoma. A patient may also experience an allergic reaction after the procedure. If you notice swelling or a hematoma after filler injection, it is a sign of filler migration.
In most cases, the signs of filler migration occur after a couple of weeks. Injections can be more difficult if the injector is inexperienced. The filler must be injected close to the vermillion border, which marks the shape of the cupid’s bow. Adding too much filler to a treatment area will increase the risk of migration. If you’ve been undergoing multiple injections, make sure to allow sufficient time between appointments.
Precautions to avoid
There are many precautions to take after a lip filler treatment. During the recovery period, you should avoid touching your lips with makeup and alcohol, as both can exacerbate swelling. Avoid sleeping on your face for 24 hours after the treatment. Avoid drinking alcohol, which acts as a blood thinner, as it can worsen swelling. Alcohol also increases bruising and inflammation. Try to avoid alcohol for a few days after a lip filler treatment to minimize any bruising or swelling that may occur.
To reduce swelling, you should not engage in intense makeouts or oral sex. The first 72 hours following a filler procedure should be free from strenuous activity, including exercise. Avoid making out with your new lips, as it may cause bruising. You should also avoid drinking beverages with straws, as these can cause bruising and swelling. The lips should remain moist, which will help reduce swelling.
The procedure may numb your lips for a few hours. Be careful not to lick them right after the procedure, as this can result in accidental bites. Another precaution is to avoid spicy or acidic food for 24 to 48 hours after the treatment. This is because the filler has a tendency to move around your face and cause bruising. If you do, you may experience excessive swelling and lumpiness.
Treatment of small lumps
If you have a lump on your lip, you may be wondering what to do about it. There are several potential treatments, including topical medications, ice packs, and a doctor’s visit. For temporary relief, you can try taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen. It’s also helpful to apply petroleum jelly to the affected area to prevent cracking and dryness. Herpes simplex is a common type of viral infection and is treated in much the same way as shingles.
In early stages, the treatment of lip cancer is much more predictable. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are commonly used for the condition. Surgery, however, may be necessary if the cancer has spread to other areas of the lip. If you still experience symptoms after surgery, you may also need to undergo chemotherapy. However, chemotherapy is not effective for all patients and should be considered in the case of advanced lip cancer. Your healthcare provider can explain your options and how to manage them.
You can also consult your dentist if you notice a small bump on your lips. If it doesn’t spread to other areas of your mouth, your doctor can perform an oral cancer biopsy to determine the cause. Treatment will vary depending on the stage of your cancer and the severity of the lesions. For now, you should avoid picking or scratching the bump, since it can increase irritation and cause infection. Instead, you can apply ointment to minimize the discomfort.