Swelling is one of the side effects of lip filler treatments. This article explains why swelling occurs after lip filler procedures, how to reduce lip swelling after filler treatments and the frequently asked questions on lip fillers.
When patients go through lip filler procedures, they experience swelling. Swelling is not a permanent side effect. It fades away after some time. However, this varies from client to client. There are ways in which patients can benefit from in reducing lip swelling after injections. Also, clients should follow the aftercare guidelines given by the cosmetic doctor for a smooth and safe healing process.
Why Does Swelling Occur After Lip Fillers?
Lip fillers provide instant transformation to the lips, making them an extremely rewarding therapeutic choice. The lip filling procedure is done using a needle, and performed by a cosmetic doctor or aesthetic practitioner. After lip filler treatments, patients may experience bruising and swelling. These effects are temporary.
Swelling varies from one client to the otherdue to various factors, such as the total amount of injections done, whether it was a combined procedure, and the body’s responses founded on sensitivity. Swelling may cause the lips to look lumpy and puffy. However, it can go away completely after three to four days, or two weeks in rare cases. Patients should consult a cosmetic doctor if the swelling persists.
How to Reduce Swelling
Sleeping on the Back
While sleeping,patients should sleep on their back. This will aid in reducing blood flow to the injected area, minimizing swelling and decreasing bruising.
Apply Arnica Cream
Some herbal medicines function well on swelling and bruising. Arnica cream is an herbal remedy that may help with recovery from swelling and aches. Consuming arnica tablets before and after the filler procedure can help individuals slow down and prevent bruising and swelling that may arise. Bromelain is another remedy that patients can use to reduce swelling and bruising. Bromelain has anti-inflammatory properties that may help in relieving bruising.
Avoid Strenuous Activities
According to Anido et al. (2021), it is advised to avoid active activities like going to the gym for 48 hours after the procedure. Strenuous activities and exercise, such as yoga increase blood flow and may worsen bruising and swelling. Yoga may lead to increased movements of the head. This may cause a complication of migration of fillers from one place to another, leading to unintended results. The exercises increase the body temperatures that makes patients sweat. The sweat makes the bacteria easily penetrate into the injected area increasing the risk of infection. Sweating also results to dehydration.
Stay Hydrated
According to Bukhari et al. (2018), most lip fillers are made with hyaluronic acid that traps and retains water molecules in the body. Patients should keep the body hydrated to for the treated area to heal faster.
Consuming Vegetables
Consuming vegetables and fruits, and drinking lots of water can help the body perform its work in the healing process. Giving the fruits, vegetables, and water will repair the injection site quickly and better. It is also advised to avoid taking salt. This is because it makes the body dehydrate and causes swelling worse.
Avoid Alcohol Intake
According to Zhang,Haque &Naebe (2021), patients should also avoid taking alcohol for 24-48 hours after the treatment. According to Ren et al. (2020), alcohol acts as blood thinner and has the potential to dilate blood vessels, which may increase the swelling and bruising on the treated area.
Maintain Cleanliness
Patients should keep the treated area clean to prevent infection. They should do this by cleaning their face gently and using gentle skin treatment routine. Most cosmetic doctors advise clients to stop applying makeup like lipstick on their lips until they have recovered. Some patients become very anxious to apply their makeup to hide their swelling.
Do Not Put Pressure on the Treated Lips
It very crucial for patients to give the injected area enough time to recover. Cosmetic doctors advise clients to stop some activities like kissing for forty-eight hours after the treatment. The pressure applied when kissing, may cause bruising, swelling and pain. Mouth contains some bacteria so when patients kiss, may increase the risk of infection to the treated area. Apart kissing, clients should avoid other activities that can put pressure on the injected site like massaging the treated area, sleeping on the face or drinking from a straw. The pressure applied irritates the injected area and this may lead to prolonged healing and the fillers may not last for long.
Avoid Blood Thinner Medications
Many patients claim medicines that can help them in reducing swelling and pain. It is recommended to avoid any medicines that cosmetic doctor has not advised you to take. The relieving pain medicines include Vitamin E, ibuprofen and aspirin. Clients should not follow anything that is claimed to be good by other people. They should adhere to the guidelines that the cosmetic doctor instructed them to do.
FAQs about Lip Fillers
Why Should I Avoid Taking Alcohol After Lip Treatment?
Cosmetic doctors do not recommend the use of alcohol before or after lip fillers. Alcohol is a blood thinner and can dilate blood vessels, which may result in swelling and bruising.
Why Should I Avoid Gym After the Treatment?
Patients should avoid going to the gym after the treatment. The exercises increase patients’ blood pressure and heart rate, leading to swelling and bruising. Some patients engage themselves in yoga. This is not recommended since doing the exercises involves several head-down positions. This results in increased blood flow, which increases swelling and bruising.
Should I Massage My Lip Filler After the Treatment?
Cosmetic doctors do not recommend patients to massage the filler after the treatment. Though some people prefer doing it, they are advised to do it gently to avoid putting pressure on the fillers that could lead to bruising and swelling.
Conclusion
When patients notice lip swelling after treatment, they should not be worried about it since it takes a short period to subside completely. When the swelling does not reduce, patients should take an immediate action and consult a cosmetic doctor. However, patients should avoid exposing themselves to the sun, active activities that can increase blood flow, and drinking alcohol since it opens up the blood vessels. Clients should take a lot of water, fruits, and vegetables to speed up the healing process.
References
Anido, J., Fernández, J. M., Genol, I., Ribé, N., & Perez Sevilla, G. (2021). Recommendations for the treatment of tear trough deformity with cross‐linked hyaluronic acid filler. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 20(1), 6-17.
Bukhari, S. N. A., Roswandi, N. L., Waqas, M., Habib, H., Hussain, F., Khan, S., … & Hussain, Z. (2018). Hyaluronic acid, a promising skin rejuvenating biomedicine: A review of recent updates and pre-clinical and clinical investigations on cosmetic and nutricosmetic effects. International journal of biological macromolecules, 120, 1682-1695.
Ren, H., Han, R., Chen, X., Liu, X., Wan, J., Wang, L., … & Wang, J. (2020). Potential therapeutic targets for intracerebral hemorrhage-associated inflammation: an update. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 40(9), 1752-1768.
Zhang, Y., Haque, A. N. M. A., & Naebe, M. (2021). Lignin–Cellulose Nanocrystals from Hemp Hurd as Light-Coloured Ultraviolet (UV) Functional Filler for Enhanced Performance of Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanocomposite Films. Nanomaterials, 11(12), 3425.
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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