Bruising is one of the side effects of lip filler treatment. This article explains what lip fillers are, how to help reduce bruising after lip fillers, how to treat bruising and the frequently asked questions about lip fillers.
Lip fillers are among the most common treatments that many patients prefer. They define a lip line, improve symmetry, and fill in lip lines giving them an attractive appearance. However, after the procedure, patients experience some side effects like bruising. Bruising is a normal and temporary side effect. It wears off after a short period. However, this varies from patient to patient. After the treatment, the cosmetic doctor provides patients with aftercare tips. They should follow them carefully for a safe and smooth recovery process.
What Are Lip Fillers?
According to Stojanovič & Majdič (2019), lip fillers are a type of dermal fillers that most patients choose to improve the appearance of their lips. Most of them are made up of hyaluronic acid, a substance that occurs naturally in the body. It functions by trapping and retaining water molecules to keep the lips moisturized for an attractive look. The treatment is done using a prefilled needle. After injection, patients may start experiencing an increase in the volume and size of their lips. Many patients prefer taking lip fillers to restore the volume lost in their lips due to smoking, sun damage, genetics, and ageing.
How to Help Reduce Bruising After Lip Fillers?
After the lip filler treatment, patients may experience side effects such as bruising. It is a common side effect that many patients experience. These bruises occur when blood vessels are injured and get into the soft tissue underneath. However, there are tricks and tips that patients should use to reduce bruising after the treatment.
After the treatment, patients should avoid active activities, exercise or go to the gym for around 24-48 hours. According to Joyner& Casey (2015), rigorous exercises increase blood flow, blood pressure and heart rate, resulting in prolonged bruising and delayed healing. Some exercises, like yoga, involve a lot of head movements. It may make the filler migrate from one place to another and settle on unintended regions leading to undesirable results. It results in complications, and patients may be forced to return to the clinic to correct the filler or repeat the treatment. The exercises and active activities also make patients sweat. Sweat increases the chances of infection since it allows the bacteria to penetrate easily into the treated area. Cosmetic doctors advise patients to stop active activities until the filler settles to avoid complications and obtain the desired results.
Patients should avoid taking alcohol before and after the treatment. According to Husain et al. (2014), alcohol acts as a blood thinner and relaxes the blood vessels. Even little alcohol can cause these effects and maximize the risks of bruising after the procedure. Certain supplements and medications slow down platelets, which assists in preventing bruising and bleeding; when the platelets cannot enter into the blood vessels or broken capillaries after the treatment, the probability of bruising rises. When under any medication, patients should tell the cosmetic doctor before conducting the treatment.According to Schwier & Tran (2016), patients should again avoid blood thinning medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and any component that act as blood thinners at least two weeks after the treatment.
After the treatment, patients should not sleep on their faces. However, they should sleep on their back. It is because when they sleep on their face immediately after injection, it may increase the chances of bruising and swelling. It may also cause the relocation of fillers from one place to another, which may cause complications and undesired results.
Cosmetic doctors advise patients to stop applying pressure to the injected area by applying makeup, massaging, rubbing or touching. It can increase bruising and swelling and may also trigger filler migration, which may cause complications. It is a good idea to give the treated area enough time to settle and heal to achieve optimal results.
When looking for a cosmetic doctor to conduct the treatment, patients should look for an experienced, skilled and qualified one. It will make the treatment safe and effective, avoiding possible risks and reducing bruising. The professional cosmetic doctor applies a numbing cream to the injection site before treatment to minimize the risks of bruising and tighten the blood vessels. This cream helps patients to feel comfortable during the treatment. A professional cosmetic doctor use procedures, materials and techniques specifically indicated to minimize the risk of bruising during the injection.
Treating Bruising
Based on the natural propensity of the body to bruise, it may take at least two weeks after the lip filler procedure for the bruising to fade completely. Since this is not something that patients should worry about, they should consider following the guidelines instructed by the cosmetic doctor to minimize the appearance of bruising post the lip filler injection. Patients should ensure they do not touch the injection site immediately after the treatment. They should ensure the treated area is very clean by washing gently with soap to prevent bacteria from penetrating the treated area. They should also avoid using a cold compressor on the treated area since it may irritate the skin and increase bruising and swelling. Clients should ensure they drink plenty of water and eat many fruits and vegetables. It will heal the treated area faster, giving the clients the desired results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lip Fillers
How Do You Reduce Bruising and Swelling After Lip Injection?
After lip filler treatment, bruising can be controlled by applying a numbing cream to the treated area. The gentle application can be effective in reducing both bruising and swelling. However, there are other things that clients should consider to reduce bruising after injection. They should avoid applying pressure on the treated area, taking alcohol, exercising and taking blood thinning medications.
How Long Does It Take for Swelling and Bruising to Go Away?
The swelling and bruising from fillers treatment typically go away within five to seven days. However, when the swelling and bruising persist for a long time, they should consult the cosmetic doctor who conducted the treatment to give them a solution.
What Can You Not Do After Lip Fillers?
Patients should refrain from hard brushes or exfoliating agents for at least 24 hours after the treatment. They should also avoid facial massage for two weeks; they should not use straws immediately after the treatment to avoid putting pressure on the lips. They should also avoid taking alcohol for a day before and after the injection.
Conclusion
After the lip filler injection, patients should take care of their fillers to reduce the chances of bruising and give clients desired results. Patients should ensure they look for a skilled, experienced, qualified cosmetic doctor. It is because a professional cosmetic doctor is likely to conduct the treatment well, reducing the risks of bruising and other side effects. Patients should adhere to the guidelines provided by the cosmetic doctor to achieve the desired results and avoid complications.
References
Husain, K., Ansari, R. A., & Ferder, L. (2014). Alcohol-induced hypertension: Mechanism and prevention. World journal of cardiology, 6(5), 245.
Joyner, M. J., & Casey, D. P. (2015). Regulation of increased blood flow (hyperemia) to muscles during exercise: a hierarchy of competing physiological needs. Physiological reviews.
Schwier, N., & Tran, N. (2016). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin therapy for acute and recurrent idiopathic pericarditis. Pharmaceuticals, 9(2), 17.
Stojanovič, L., & Majdič, N. (2019). Effectiveness and safety of hyaluronic acid fillers used to enhance overall lip fullness: a systematic review of clinical studies. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 18(2), 436-443.
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