The Ups and Downs of Lip Filler Recovery
Imagine this: You spent months researching the right injector and clinic for your lips. You anxiously and excitedly count down the days until your treatment.
On the day of, you’re fresh off the needle, peek in the mirror, and you’re blown away by how a small procedure can majorly enhance your facial features. You think to yourself, “I finally love my lips!” But then, you wake up the next day and notice significant swelling, and maybe there’s two huge bruises that weren’t there before. You think to yourself, “Oh my god, did my filler migrate?” “Do I have the dreaded vascular occlusion I’ve read so much about?” And you spend the rest of the week debating back and forth whether to contact your injector to dissolve your lips ASAP.
There’s a reason why lip filler treatments have skyrocketed in demand the last few years. But just as researching the right injector and clinic is important, so is fully understanding and preparing yourself for the recovery journey. Here, we dive into a REAL patient’s lip filler recovery journey, showcasing the emotional ups and downs, and outline all the things you can expect if you’re thinking of taking the filler plunge.
*Disclaimer: We were permitted to use the images and clinical information of this patient, whose real name has been withheld. All images and content belong to the property of Clemens Face + Body and cannot be repurposed without consent.
The Emotional Timeline
The ‘Before’
‘Dina’ is a 24 year old female patient who, after several rounds of the lip flip procedure, finally decided to venture into the world of fillers. Her primary goals were to: 1) Create sharp lip borders and 2) Build more volume.
The ‘Right After’
We used Revanesse Versa with Lidocaine, injecting 0.8mL total for both the upper and lower lips. She reported “no pain at all” during the procedure, and had little to no bruising immediately after. However, she did have mild swelling during and after the procedure.
She was provided ice packs and Arnica cream to help with swelling and bruising.
The Night of
The numbing cream has started to wear off, making tenderness and slight pain a bit more noticeable. Inflammation and swelling has also begun.
Dina was instructed to start icing several times a day to reduce swelling and to apply Arnica cream twice a day.
Post-procedure: Day 1
Dina slept with her head elevated and had iced a few times during the day. She noticed an increase in tenderness and swelling, but her bruising has significantly subsided.
Beyond Vaseline and Arnica cream, she has avoided using any cosmetic products on the lips.
Post-procedure: Day 3
Dina started to notice a ‘filler mustache’ began to take form. She had been dutifully icing, elevating her head, hydrating, and applying Arnica cream. From this day forward, we had Dina start lightly massaging the upper lip using the pads of her thumb and index finger.
Tip: Hyaluronic acid is a water-loving molecule. When injected, it will oftentimes draw and absorb water, leading to mild to moderate swelling. This is especially the case during the first 2 weeks after treatment
Post-procedure: Day 7
After diligently massaging for 3-5 minutes every night, her ‘filler mustache’ has decreased, and the filler has started to nicely settle in. But at the 1 week mark, there are still noticeable lumps.
She reported no further tenderness, pain, or bruising.
Post-procedure: Day 12
At our follow-up visit, Dina reported that she is starting to see what her final results will look like, and she’s VERY excited. After a week of daily massaging, one lump in her right upper lip was not going down. So, we decided to correct this lump by injecting a very small dose of hyaluronidase, a filler dissolver.
tip: Many people have heard of complications arising from filler dissolver, namely that it ‘dissolves’ the skin’s natural hyaluronic acid. However, with conservative and judicial use, dissolver can be used to correct and tweak small imperfections post-filler.
Post-procedure: Day 21
Dina is ECSTATIC about her results! Bruising has healed immensely, swelling has gone down, and the lump has been fully dissolved.
Day 28: The final results
Dina couldn’t be happier with her results! According to her, this procedure has allowed her to feel “enhanced.” Her goals of having ‘crisp’ lip borders and volume have been met.
Tips for a Smooth Recovery
The filler recovery journey can be fraught with anxiety, panic, and yes, even regret. It’s important to trust your injector and adhere to their after-care protocol.
When in doubt, read your after-care protocol packet and discuss any questions you may have at the visit.
If you are a known bruiser or sweller, inform your injector ahead of treatment and manage your expectations accordingly.
Keep an open line of communication with your clinician, and be as honest as possible. It’s their job to keep you well-informed and reassured!
If something feels out-of-the-ordinary, such as extreme swelling beyond normal inflammation, excruciating pain that worsens with time, pallor or paleness of the face, complete loss of sensation, or skin breakdown, let your clinician know immediately.
Keep the area clean and avoid touching the area excessively without clean hands.
If necessary, postpone all major events for at least 2 weeks after treatment.
Come to your follow-up visit! It’s important for your injector to objectively assess your lips and recommend any further treatments if needed.
At Clemens Face + Body we’re here to walk you through this entire process. Our goal is to help you design a skin care routine and enhancements that work for you. Give us a call today to get started and incorporate us into your self-care routine.
