What *not* to do after lip fillers

Lip fillers are a hugely popular treatment, but they can also be one that leads to suboptimal results when not applied with skill and care by a qualified practitioner.

In this post, Doctor Nyla, the winner of the prestigious Best Aesthetic Clinic Award and an advocate for the highest of standards offers some advice relating to the maintenance of fillers.

Here are the eight things not to do post lip fillers.

1. Don’t store up problems
   

This one is actually more related to what to avoid before fillers.

Do not rush in, do not choose a clinic just because it is either cheap or local. The best clinic may be on your doorstep, or it might be that the one just down the street really isn’t performing to a high standard.

Non-surgical procedures such as lip fillers are under regulated, there is no requirement for extensive medical training.

Doctor Nyla is an advocate for change, pushing for legislation so that high standards are maintained.

Please only consider doctor-led clinics and those with a proven track record for excellence.

By doing this, the chances of there being issues post treatment are drastically reduced. You will also be in the best of hands, knowing that you have a qualified expert you can contact with any follow up questions or concerns.

2. Don’t Panic
   

If you are concerned about the appearance of your lips post filler, maybe the clinic used was, in hindsight, not the best but please do not panic.

If you are in pain or discomfort, seek medical advice. However, it is worth noting that treatments to dissolve fillers are available, this would undo the impact of those that have left results that are, shall we say, suboptimal.

Doctor Nyla offers lip filler dissolving treatments at all of her clinics. Please contact us for further details.

3. Avoid hot temperatures for at least 24 hours.
   

Admittedly this is usually fairly easy to achieve in the UK, but, in the midst of a summer heatwave, don’t spend the day outside if you have just had fillers.

If you are going on holiday and fancy lip fillers to boost your appearance make sure the treatment is at least a few days prior to departure.

4. Don’t undertake strenuous exercise for at least a day.
   

Fillers are not a treatment that have a burdensome period of recovery, there will not be a long list of dos and don’ts.

However, there is a requirement to take it, if not easy, to at least not be at your most active.

For one day, take it easy on the exercise. Arrange it so that it is a rest day in your exercise regime.

5. Don’t ignore dietary advice.There are a few tips for post lip filler treatments. Don’t take vitamin e supplements for a couple of days as taking them can increase the risk of bruising.

You should also avoid foods that lead to you touching your lips lots, thus running a slight risk of infection as you touch the area treated. It may be best to avoid spare ribs for a day or two.

6. Don’t ignore warning signs.We mentioned above that treatments to dissolve fillers are available, but this does not mean you should ignore warning signs that something is awry.Lip necrosis can occur, this where cells start to die off, typically after suboptimal treatment, this yet another reason to undertake proper research and only consider reputable clinicians.

Symptoms would include severe pain post treatment (including some time after), discolouration, white blanching of the lips, or the lips losing temperature.

If you have symptoms such as these contact your doctor, the clinic who administered the injections (assuming they are a reputable clinic you trust) or visit a hospital walk in centre if symptoms are severe.

7. Don’t apply makeup to the lips for at least 24 hours
   

You want your lips to have a little time to heal from what was a treatment – a minimally invasive one, but still a treatment that involved injections.

Use ice packs on them to reduce swelling, but avoid things that make the healing process that bit more difficult for your body.

8. Don’t arrange lip fillers for close to a big event
   

Many of the above tips could simply be put down to planning.

The motivation for lip fillers may be in part to look fabulous for something – a wedding, a holiday, a reunion –  but that is not to say you want the fillers very close to this event.

Schedule them at least a few days in advance of this event, ideally a bit further still. This allows you the time to let the lips recover with no time pressure and no added stress on your part.

We would advise against walking into a random clinic the day before an event just because you have a sudden brainwave. Leave your lips as they are, find a good clinic, and then book an appointment in advance of the next occasion…