If you want to get lip fillers, most doctors will tell you to avoid smoking 48 hours before the process. Smoking softens the blood, increasing the risk of bruising or swelling. But when can you resume smoking after your injections? Keep reading to find out.
When beauty trends emerge, they quickly find their way to social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. This sparks curiosity, making trends such as full, plump lips immensely popular. The rise of selfies and influencers showcasing enhanced lips changes people’s perception of beauty, increasing the visibility of lip-enhancing products such as lip fillers. If you plan to get this injectable treatment, you should learn what to do before and after the procedure for a more fulfilling overall experience. Regarding post-procedure care, one of the burning questions lip filler newbies ask is: When Can I Smoke After Lip Fillers?
What Are Lip Fillers?
Lip Fillers are gels injected into the lips to make them fuller and plumber. They are also used to treat issues such as asymmetry or thin lips. Lip filler injections are performed in clinics by dermatologists or plastic surgeons. However, make sure the clinic and the practitioner are reputable and highly skilled or experienced before the procedure. During the procedure, your practitioner will numb your lips with a local anesthetic and inject the filler into the specific areas you want to treat. This can 15-20 minutes and allows you to experience minimal downtime.
Types of Lip Fillers
You will find various types of lip fillers out there, each with different characteristics, composition, and duration of results. Here are the common options in the market.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Hyaluronic Acid(HA) Fillers contain synthesized hyaluronic acid, a substance your body produces naturally that retains moisture and restores lost volume. One great thing about these fillers is that they are reversible. Examples of HA fillers include Juvederm, Restylane, and Belotero. All these are temporary and allow you to enjoy positive results for six months or one year, depending on your metabolism.
Collagen Fillers
These fillers contain collagen derived from human or bovine origins. Unlike HA fillers, they have a shorter duration, explaining why they are not common these days. Collagen extracted from bovine origins may trigger allergies, requiring the product to undergo allergy testing before final consumption.
Synthetic Fillers
One good example of a synthetic filler is the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). They work by making them produce enough collagen, providing gradual and long-term outcomes. However, most people avoid them because they cause side effects, which in most cases are irreversible.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite Fillers
These fillers contain calcium hydroxylapatite. They can provide fuller, plumper lips and enhance facial contours. Like HA fillers, they deliver long-lasting results but are not reversible.
Why You Should Avoid Smoking After Lip Filler
Regardless of the type of filler you choose, smoking after the injection can be a terrible idea. Here is why.
It Affects Blood Circulation
Smoking introduces nicotine to your system, which makes the blood vessels narrow. When your lips don’t get enough oxygen and important nutrients, you may experience delayed healing.
It Increases the Risk of Complications
When you smoke, the chemicals and carcinogens may damage the delicate healing tissue and increase the risk of complications.
It Makes You More Susceptible to Infections
Smoking makes the immune cells not function properly. This can increase the risk of bacterial or viral infections.
It Affects theLongevity of Lip Fillers
Smoking can reduce collagen and elastin levels in the body. This means you may lose the full, plump lips within a short time and go for touch-up sessions, which are never free.
It Causes Uneven Lips
The cigarette puts pressure on the filler, making it shift from the initial injection site. As a result, you may have uneven lips.
When Can You Smoke After Dermal Fillers?
If you are a smoker or vaper, keep your cigarettes or vaping products away for at least 48 to 72 hours after getting lip fillers. This will give the filler material enough time to settle and the injection sites to heal.
What You Should Do After Getting Lip Fillers
Understand That Swelling is Normal After Injections
After getting your injections, you are more likely to experience swelling and bruising. Your swollen and red lips will heal within a few days. You can also use ice packs, arnica, and vitamin K to get better faster.
Avoid Strenuous Activities
Avoid intense physical activities for 1 or 2 days after getting lip fillers. Engaging in intense physical exercise can increase your blood pressure levels, which can worsen the swelling.
Drink Water A lot of Water
Drinking a lot of water increases hydration in your body and lips, which can speed up the healing process.
Avoid High-Temperature Environments
Avoid high-temperature environments such as saunas and steam rooms for 48 hours after getting lip fillers. Exposing your lips to high heat can lead to irritation and excessive swelling.
Sleep with Your Head Elevated
Place an extra pillow under your head to sleep with your head elevated. By doing so, you will reduce swelling.
Eliminate Extra Salty Foods from Your Diet
High-sodium foods such as salted nuts, sausage, bacon, and beans canned with salt added can worsen swelling. You can replace them with hydrating options such as lettuce, watermelon, strawberries, and cucumber.
Avoid Wearing Makeup
Makeup products such as lipsticks or lip glosses contain chemicals that may irritate the lips, worsening swelling, and redness. Avoid these products for up to 24 hours after lip fillers.
The Bottom Line
If you are a smoker or vaper, refrain from this for at least 48 to 72 hours after getting lip fillers. By doing so, you allow the filler material to settle and the delicate tissue of your lips to heal properly. If possible, avoid smoking or vaping for a week or longer to reap the maximum benefits of lip fillers. To further speed up recovery, avoid strenuous exercise, sleep with your head elevated, cut friendships with extra salty foods, drink plenty of water, and stay away from high-temperature environments.
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