May 19, 2018

Dermal Filler – Lip Enhancement Aftercare

Written by Dr Kate Jameson

lip-filler-injection

Thank you for attending Youth Lab for your lip enhancement treatment. Please take the time to carefully read your post-treatment instructions below.

POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS

  • Avoid any heat-inducing activities for 24 hours.
  • Do not perform strenuous exercise for 24 hours. 
  • Avoid pressure on the area for 48 hours (i.e. avoid face-down massages).
  • Do not massage the treatment area unless instructed to do so.
  • Avoid alcohol for 24 hours.
  • Avoid active cosmeceutical products (AHAs, retinol, vitamin C) for 24 hours.
  • Do not apply oil-based makeup for 24 hours. 
  • Avoid blood thinning medication such as Aspirin & Ibuprofen for 7 days (unless medically necessary)
  • Avoid facial treatments for 2 weeks after treatment (including facials, waxing, chemical peels, skin needling, Hydrafacial, IPL or laser)
  • Do not smoke, vape or drink from a straw for 4 days.
  • Apply a cool compress to the treatment area.
  • Use a topical treatment to soothe the skin such as Bepanthen or Arnica cream.

WHAT TO EXPECT: 

The listed below are all normal side effects and should self-resolve within a few days. 

  • Swelling 
  • Bruising 
  • Redness 
  • Tenderness  
  • Lumps and asymmetry 

For further information on how to manage these side effects, please see ‘Management’. 

More severe complications may include:

  • Severe pain out of proportion to the expected post-treatment discomfort
  • Severe swelling
  • Swelling that persists past 7 days 
  • Possible allergic reaction
  • Blanching or whitening of the skin
  • Blistering or ulceration of the skin
  • Visual disturbances or any change to mental state

If you experience any of the above severe complications please contact the clinic on (08) 9324 1604 (West Perth), (08) 9260 6800 (Claremont) or at (08) 9260 6880 (Joondalup)

If it is after hours (between 5pm and 9am) please email our emergency email at emergency@youthlab.com.au. This email address is only to be used in cases of severe side effects

Please note this email may not be seen between the hours of 9pm and 7am so if any concerns arise during this time or if there is a high level of concern after hours present to your nearest emergency department or call 000.

MANAGEMENT:

Swelling

The initial swelling after a lip filler treatment lasts 4-7 days. If symptoms persist for over 7 days or other reactions occur, please contact the clinic. 

Swelling may also appear asymmetrical, but this is normal and not an indication of the end result. Natural asymmetries are common, and having treatment with dermal filler may also exacerbate this if it is your first treatment. Often at times the upper lip swells more than the lower lip but this should not be cause for concern. Please allow your dermal filler time to settle and integrate into the skin (4 weeks) before considering further treatment or reviewing the results. 

Swelling Relief

  • Apply a cool compress to the area for 10 minutes every hour on treatment day.
  • Take an antihistamine (e.g. 10mg loratadine)
  • Try sleeping on your back, slightly elevated, to prevent pressure build-up on the face 

Bruising 

Bruising is a common and expected side effect with any dermal filler treatment. This is not due to poor technique and will not alter the final result of your treatment. In order to reduce bruising, it is important to adhere to the aftercare regime. 

Bruising Relief

  • Avoid any medications containing NSAIDs, aspirin, vitamin E and ginseng for the week prior and the week following treatment, unless medically necessary and after discussion with your doctor/nurse.
  • Apply a cool compress to the area for 10 minutes every hour on treatment day.
  • Apply topical Arnica or Hirudoid cream to the affected area. 

We offer HEALITE II LED treatments for those cases where bruising is severe and not manageable with home remedies. 

Lumps

There may be small lumps in the treatment area but these generally disappear as the filler integrates into the skin.

Lumpiness Relief

In case they are still present at 2-3 weeks post-treatment, they can be massaged. However, please do not massage the filler prior to one week as this may cause more trauma to the treatment area. Please contact the clinic if the lumpiness does not disappear after 2-3 weeks, and your practitioner will advise you on how to proceed with massage. 

Rarer side effects are discussed with each client in the consultation process and are not expected with every treatment.

Please contact the clinic on (08) 9324 1604 (West Perth), (08) 9260 6800 (Claremont) or (08) 9260 6880 (Joondalup) if you have any questions about your treatment or aftercare instructions.

FAQs 

What is the recovery time for dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers can take 3-4 weeks to heal and integrate into the tissue, so final results will be evident at that time only. Swelling may persist and appear asymmetrical. NO further treatments will be done prior to complete healing at 4 weeks. 

When can I have treatment again? 

Further treatments between 6-8 weeks of the initial dermal filler may be necessary to achieve optimal correction and results. Clients may require multiple treatment sessions to obtain their desired aesthetic outcome. Each patient is different and will require different amounts of dermal filler. Additional Dermal Filler treatments are at the discretion of your practitioner. 

How long do dermal fillers last?

Dermal filler products are long-lasting but not permanent. The longevity of filler injections depends on the type of filler used, its indication, compliance with aftercare and individual factors such as metabolism which is why we cannot guarantee the longevity of the results. 

Regular maintenance treatments are required and essential for long-lasting results.