What you need to know before your lip filler appointment
Posted by Dr. Lauren Dickson
Cosmetic lip injections are a common noninvasive procedure in which one can achieve more defined or fuller lips in less than 20 minutes. It is important you choose your lip injector with care. Board-certified dermatologists are expert lip injectors that are well versed in the anatomy and the types of fillers that can be used, and demonstrate superior technique to achieve natural, yet meaningful results.
What are lip fillers?
Injectable dermal fillers are gel-like substances composed of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in your skin that binds water, that are injected beneath the skin to restore lost volume, smooth lip lines or “wrinkled”, or enhance volume in the lips.
What is the downtime after a filler procedure?
There is little to no downtime with fillers. There is often some degree of swelling immediately post-procedure and for several days. Icing the injected areas does decrease and shorten the duration of the swelling.
There is a risk for post-procedure bruising. To minimize this risk, avoid any substances that can thin the blood, such as aspirin and NSAIDs, 2 weeks prior to your procedure.
What should I avoid before having filler?
Ingestion of the following substances should be avoided for 14 days before your procedure : Omega-3 fatty acids, Fish oil, Aspirin, NSAIDs (including Advil, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve), Vitamin E, Ginseng, Ginger, Gingko Biloba, Garlic, Green Tea, Alcohol, Salt. Avoid dental work, including routine teeth cleaning, one month before and one month after treatment with fillers.
How long do lip fillers last?
Typically 6-12 months.
Are lip fillers safe?
Dermal fillers are FDA-approved and safe for injection.
What do I need to let me doctor know prior to my procedure?
Please let your doctor know if you have a history of cold sores. If so, your doctor will likely prescribe you an antiviral to prevent any cold sore breakouts.
What should I expect during my filler procedure?
Numbing is applied 20-30 minutes prior to your procedure to minimize any discomfort. The procedure takes approximately 10-20 minutes and is typically very well tolerated without pain. There is lidocaine, a numbing agent, within the s
What should I expect after my filler procedure?
After injections with fillers, temporary swelling, bruising, redness, or soreness in the treatment area can be experienced. In order to reduce or minimize these side effects, we recommend applying ice-packs or cold compresses to the injection sites for at least 15 minutes immediately after treatment (and continue to apply them every hour if you are prone to bruising).
Is there anything I should avoid after my filler procedure?
While regular activity can be resumed immediately after injections, heavy exercise should be avoided for the remainder of the day in order to reduce the risk of swelling and bruising.
Are there any strategies to avoid or limit bruising?
Ingestion of the following substances should be avoided for 14 days before and 1-3 days: Omega-3 fatty acids, Fish oil, Aspirin, NSAIDs (including Advil, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve), Vitamin E, Ginseng, Ginger, Gingko Biloba, Garlic, Green Tea, Alcohol, Salt.
What can I do if I am not happy with my results?
The beauty of using hyaluronic acid fillers is that if you change your mind and decide you don’t want fuller lips or are happy with them for any reason, your doctor can inject an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which will quickly dissolve the filler.
When should I contact the office?
Call the office immediately if you experience intense pain in the injected areas, severe bruising that is getting worse, or experience visual disturbances.
Do I need to follow up after my filler procedure?
It generally takes 1-2 weeks in order to determine your clinical response to treatment. For lip fillers, we may recommend two sessions to achieve the desired outcome.
If it is your first treatment, it is advised that a follow-up appointment be scheduled at 2 weeks in order to assess your response to treatment
Book your appointment for lip filler with one of our board-certified dermatologists here!