Lip Filler: Aftercare

Lip filler, what to expect after treatment

Lips swell more than almost any other area we treat: that’s the nature of the tissue, not a sign anything has gone wrong. Expect your lips to look bigger than your final result for the first 3–5 days. By day 7 the shape you see is much closer to the settled outcome. Final integration takes around 2 weeks.

What’s normal in the first 72 hours

• Significant swelling on day 1–2, easing from day 3.
• Small bruises at injection points: lips are vascular, this is common.
• Tenderness when smiling, eating or kissing.
• A “firm” feeling: the filler softens and integrates over 10–14 days.
• Slight asymmetry while swelling is unequal. This almost always resolves.

Please follow these instructions carefully

• No straws, smoking, vaping or anything that requires pursing the lips for 24 hours.
• No kissing or pressure on the lips for 24 hours.
• No hot drinks for the first few hours: sip lukewarm while sensation returns.
• Avoid spicy, salty or acidic foods on day 1. They sting and worsen swelling.
• No dental work for 2 weeks: your dentist will pull and stretch the lips.
• No facials, lip-plumping devices, peels or laser around the mouth for 2 weeks.
• No high-intensity exercise, sauna or steam rooms for 24 hours.
• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours and anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, aspirin) for 48 hours unless prescribed otherwise: paracetamol is fine.
• Sleep slightly elevated on night 1. It reduces overnight swelling.
• Ice gently through a clean cloth for 10 minutes at a time on day 1 if you’d like to. Don’t press hard.
• Mineral makeup only from day 2 if you need it: avoid heavy lipsticks while injection points are still healing.

When to contact the clinic

Severe escalating pain that isn’t easing, blanching (white patches) of the skin around the lips, dusky or mottled colouring, vision changes or any concern about blood supply warrants contacting us immediately. These are rare but time-sensitive. Lopsidedness that persists past 2 weeks is worth a review appointment, not an emergency.

For best results we recommend a review appointment at 2–3 weeks once swelling has fully settled. Top-ups are planned then, not earlier.