Lips fillers are a non-invasive treatment that comes with a fast and easy recovery. Because of the techniques we use, our patients find that there is very little downtime after these services at Westover Hills Dermatology in San Antonio, TX. However, it is important to be as prepared as possible for your treatment, which is why we prioritize patient education about the care that is recommended both before and after lip fillers. We will help walk you through what the healing process will look like and when you can expect your final results.
What Is a Dermal Filler?
A dermal filler is an injectable substance used to rejuvenate the skin, especially in the face. This can be any product that is made out of materials that can fill in lost volume and correct wrinkles while also being biocompatible. Lip fillers are products that are specifically designed for use in this sensitive and important area.
How Can Lip Fillers Improve Your Lips?
An Increase in Volume
Injecting a carefully chosen substance into the lips can restore or enhance their volume, giving your smile a fuller look. Lip augmentation can be ideal for individuals seeking to add more body to their lips for a more youthful or shapely aesthetic.
Shape Definition
With the strategic application of lip fillers, the contours of your lips can be finely sculpted, highlighting their natural shape and adding definition where it’s most desired. This technique allows for a customized approach to beauty, emphasizing the unique curves of each patient’s lips and enhancing overall facial aesthetics.
Balance and Symmetry
Achieving a harmonious look is often a matter of correcting asymmetries and imbalances in the lips. By carefully placing fillers, we can adjust the proportions of your lips to better match and complement your facial features, creating a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Reducing Fine Lines
Beyond just augmenting size and shape, fillers can also smooth out the fine lines that can form around the mouth area. This benefit leads to a more seamless transition between the lips and the surrounding skin, lending to a rejuvenated and refreshed look.
Subtly Improving Color and Texture
By hydrating and filling the area, fillers can also contribute to a slight enhancement in the color and texture of the lips. The added volume and hydration from the filler material can give your lips a more vibrant, healthy hue and a smoother, more consistent texture, making them appear more naturally lush and inviting.
Two Different Types of Lip Fillers
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Hyaluronic acid lip fillers like JUVÉDERM® ULTRA XC and VOLBELLA® XC are known for their ability to precisely fill an area to give patients the results they are looking for. The effects are immediate, providing a noticeable improvement in lip fullness and contour that can last several months before gradually diminishing.
Resilient Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Resilient hyaluronic acid lip fillers like RHA® Redensity™ are designed to withstand the dynamic movements of the lips and may offer longer-lasting results. These fillers have a unique crosslinking technology that maintains the lips’ natural flexibility and motion while preserving the filler’s volume and shape over time.
The Recovery Process After Lip Injections
Immediately After Your Injections
Following lip injections, it’s common to experience some redness and numbness in the treated area, largely due to the injection locations and the lidocaine that’s often included to minimize discomfort during the treatment. This initial reaction is temporary, typically subsiding within a few hours as the numbing effect wears off, leaving the lips feeling more natural.
The First 48 Hours
In the initial two days post-treatment, swelling and bruising might be more pronounced. These reactions are normal and signify your body’s natural response to the injections. We may recommend applying ice gently to the area to help reduce swelling, but most patients find these symptoms begin to decrease significantly on their own after the first 48 hours.
The First Week
As you move into the first week after lip injections, you’ll notice the residual swelling and bruising continue to fade gradually. It’s during this time that the true shape and volume of your lips start to become more apparent, although minor fluctuations in swelling may still occur.
Week Two and Beyond
By the second week, the final results of your lip enhancement start to fully emerge. This period allows you to see the beautiful effects of your lip injections, as any lingering swelling has subsided. It’s also a good time to assess the outcome and decide if the achieved look aligns with your aesthetic goals.
Fading Results and Re-Treatment
The timing for re-treatment can range from several months to over a year, allowing for flexibility in maintaining your desired lip appearance. While lip fillers offer a long-lasting enhancement, the duration of their effects can vary depending on the product used and individual factors such as metabolism and lifestyle. You may consider additional injections as the filler gradually diminishes, returning your lips to their original volume.
Tips for Lip Filler Recovery
- Stay Away From Excessive Heat: Following your treatment, avoiding excessively hot environments, such as saunas or steam rooms, can help manage swelling and discomfort.
- Keep Out of Direct Sunlight: Exposure to direct sunlight can negatively affect your lip filler results. Wearing a broad-spectrum SPF on your lips when going outside is a good practice to protect the sensitive skin during recovery and in the months afterward.
- Minimize Strenuous Exercise: High-intensity activities can increase blood flow to the face, potentially worsening swelling. It’s advisable to take it easy and avoid vigorous exercise for a few days post-treatment.
- Sleep With Your Head Elevated: Using an extra pillow to elevate your head while sleeping can reduce swelling more efficiently after receiving lip fillers.
- Limit Certain Substances: To optimize healing, it’s important to avoid alcohol and blood-thinning medications or supplements for a few days, as these can increase bruising after lip injections.
- Be Gentle With Your Lips: Avoid manipulating or putting pressure on your lips. This includes puckering and extensive lip movements, as well as avoiding makeup on the lips for at least 24 hours to ensure the treatment area remains clean and undisturbed.
Navigate Your Lip Filler Recovery With Ease, Call Us Today
Exploring lip fillers at Westover Hills Dermatology offers an opportunity to enhance your beauty under the expertise of our San Antonio, TX, specialists. To learn more about how we can help you achieve your aesthetic goals, reach out to us via our online form or call us at (830) 261-3212.
