The most common side effects of lip filler injections are swelling and lumps. There are several aftercare practices to do after getting lip fillers, including massage. This article explains the factors determining the duration you should massage after lip fillers.
Beauty standards keep evolving year after year. While cat eyes have been all the rage in the past few years, nowadays, big and plumper lips are what many clients ask for. Even with the negative publicity of cosmetic procedures on social media platforms, the popularity of lip filler treatments is still blooming. Lip fillers help you achieve a plumper look and smooth out wrinkles and fine lines around the lip area. You will notice the results of a lip filler treatment right after the injection. Your lips experience swelling and bruising immediately after the procedure. You can also feel lumps and bumps and may want to massage them. However, avoiding touching your lips soon after the lip filler injection would be best. Wait until the initial swelling and bruising subside to let the filler settle in properly and avoid further complications.
What Are Lip Fillers?
Lip fillers are minimally invasive cosmetic procedures that give your lips a plumper look and maintain natural fullness. They are made with synthetic materials or natural substances, such as hyaluronic acid. Apart from adding or restoring volume to your lips, the fillers can smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, among other aging signs. The procedure is quick, usually 30 minutes or less. It is common to experience minor swelling for a few days. However, you must follow aftercare instructions from your cosmetic doctor for optimal results.
Why Do People Get Lip Fillers?
To Balance Uneven Lips
Uneven lips may not be so common, but they can be a serious concern for many clients. You may have a scar or anything that affects the normal shape of your lips, or one lip may be fuller than the other. All those lip asymmetries can be corrected by a lip filler injection (Singh & Chauhan, 2019).
Minimize the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles on the Lips and Around the Mouth Area
Most clients who get lip fillers do so to minimize the appearance of aging signs. The fillers do not stop aging, but they may help smooth out wrinkles and fine lines (Rohrich, 2019), which enables you to maintain a youthful look.
To Get a Well-Defined Lip Shape and Sharp Cupid’s Bow
Some clients may not have uneven lips or aging signs but a weakly defined Cupid bow and lip shape. They get lip fillers, a sharp cupid’s bow, and a perfectly defined lip shape and structure. According to Lipko-Godlewska et al. (2021), elderly patients may benefit from minimal injections of the philtral columns. They get lip fillers to redefine the philtrum and preserve its natural shape.
To Add or Restore Volume to the Lips
Many clients who get lip fillers do so to increase the size of their lips. Their lips may be hereditary small, or a sign of aging. According to Czumbel et al. (2021), lip augmentation with HA-based fillers is an efficient way of adding fullness to your lips for at least 6 months after the procedure.
How Long After Lip Fillers Can You Massage Your Lips, and How Do You Massage Them?
You cannot massage your lips so soon after the lip filler injection. It would be best to wait until the potential swelling and bruising subside before performing any massage on your lips. In most cases, swelling subsides within 3 to 5 days following the lip filler injection. Suppose you still feel bumps and lumps on your lips after the initial swelling subsides; consult your medical practitioner. In that case, you can massage your lips gently with relatively light pressure.
Lumps can be a scary experience after lip fillers. However, you should not be in a hurry to massage them out right after the lip filler injection. Before you begin any massage on your lips:
- Ensure that the initial swelling and bruising have gone down. You can start your massage 1 week after the procedure with a clean hand to avoid bacterial infections; you may still have minor prick marks, which might be a pathway for infections.
- Apply a warm compress on your lips for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Massage your lips gently using your thumb and forefingers in a circular kneading motion; do not use too much pressure, as it may disintegrate the filler and prevent it from setting in properly.
You can massage your lips 2 to 3 times a day for 3 days, and your lumps will dissolve and finally disappear. Sometimes, lumps may form deeper in your skin’s tissue cells, and a mere massage may not dissolve them. For that reason, consult your injector to find out what could be the problem. Mostly, aestheticians will inject hyaluronidase enzyme to dissolve the lumps. A more experienced cosmetic doctor can add more filler to maintain the level of fullness you desire.
Pros and Cons of Lip Fillers
Pros
- Lip filler treatment is minimally invasive.
- The procedure is quick and straightforward.
- Lip fillers are temporary; they are reversible if a patient is dissatisfied.
- They are safe with mild side effects.
- No down time needed.
- Lip fillers are versatile. They can add volume, sharpen lip shape, and smooth out wrinkles, among other functions.
Cons
- You need repeated sessions with your aesthetician to maintain your desired effects since lip fillers are not permanent.
- Although rare, your lips may become asymmetrical after the treatment, especially if the injection is poorly done.
- They may be costly, especially if you need to make regular procedures to maintain your appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lip Fillers
Why Do Lips Look/Feel Lumpy After Fillers?
Lips feel lumpy after the injection due to initial swelling and bruising. Swelling is a natural response that results from trauma to your skin’s tissue cells right after the lip filler injection. However, lumps should naturally disappear within the first 5 to 7 days after the procedure.
How Much Do Lip Fillers Cost?
Lip filler treatments cost $500 to $2,500 depending on how much filler is used or the type.
Can I Wear Lipstick After Lip Fillers?
There is no medical reason against wearing lipstick after a lip filler injection. However, your lips are usually tender for the first 2 days after the injection. Therefore, you should avoid lipstick or makeup on your lips for at least 24 hours; it minimizes swelling, bruising, and bacterial infection.
Conclusion
Lumps disappear within the first few days or through a gentle lip massage. If lumps persist even after the massage, they can be dissolved by injecting an enzyme known as hyaluronidase. Sometimes lumps may occur deeper in your skin’s tissue cells, and a mere massage may not dissolve them. The lips are sensitive and delicate organs. Therefore, it would be best to get the procedure done by a professional aesthetician for optimal results.
References
Czumbel, L. M., Farkasdi, S., Gede, N., Mikó, A., Csupor, D., Lukács, A., …& Varga, G. (2021). Hyaluronic acid is an effective dermal filler for lip augmentation: a meta-analysis. Frontiers in surgery, 8, 681028.
Lipko-Godlewska, S., Bolanča, Ž., Kalinová, L., Kermen, I., Onisak, B., Papp, I., … & Valančienė, G. (2021). Whole-face approach with hyaluronic acid fillers. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 14, 169.
Rohrich, R. J., Bartlett, E. L., & Dayan, E. (2019). Practical approach and safety of hyaluronic acid fillers. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 7(6).
Singh, S., & Chauhan, A. Occupational Lip Asymmetry Managed by Hyaluronic Acid Fillers. Ann Plast Reconstr Surg. 2019; 3 (6), 1047.
GP
The work of a family doctor includes a wide range of clinical diversity, which requires extensive knowledge and erudition from a specialist. However, I believe that the most important thing for a family doctor is to be human because the cooperation and understanding between the doctor and the patient are crucial in ensuring successful health care. On my days off, I love being in nature. Since childhood, I have been passionate about playing chess and tennis. Whenever I have time off, I enjoy traveling around the world.
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