Youthful. Flirty. Sexy. Plump lips are all the rage right now. From Angelina Jolie to Kylie Jenner, celebs of all ages have inspired a full lip trend that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon. And with masks seemingly here to stay as well, it is the perfect time to treat yourself and hide your downtime. Here are some helpful tips from our own Laura Phelan, APRN, to guide you through the lip filler process.
Identify Your Goals
Before your lip filler appointment, think about your personal goals.
Are you looking to reestablish lost lip shape?
Add a subtle plump?
Smooth wrinkling and add hydration?
Or are you looking for more overall volume?
Maybe a combination?
Though you’re coming to us for an expert consultation, it is important you think about your goals prior to your appointment. By having the confidence to express your desired outcome, you’re assisting your injector in creating a treatment plan that is best for you!
The Consultation
The consultation is an important part of the treatment process. At your consultation, we will discuss your goals and realistic outcomes based on your personal lip anatomy. We will also take a medical history to ensure you’re a good candidate for the treatment and discuss the risks, benefits, experience, aftercare, and expectations. This is a great time to ask any questions you may have before you decide to proceed with treatment.
Type of Filler
Here at White Orchid Spa, we use the Juvederm family of fillers. Under the Juvederm name, there are different types that are used to achieve your desired result. The two most common fillers used in the lips are Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Volbella. Juvederm Ultra adds a little extra plump whereas Volbella adds more natural volume while providing shape and structure to aging lips.
We will work together to choose the best filler for your goals.
Appointment Preparation
Being prepared for your appointment is just as important at the appointment itself.
- Timing – as the treatment may result in swelling and bruising, we advised not to have your treatment within 2 weeks of any special event. Look at your calendar carefully!
- Special Considerations – to reduce the risk of infection and immune response, we do not want you to have any dental appointments (including cleanings), vaccines, or illness/antibiotics two weeks before and two weeks after your treatment.
- The week prior – If able, avoid aspirin, ibuprofen/NSAIDs, vitamin E, Fish Oil. Also, avoid alcohol a few days before your treatment as well.
- Cold Sores – Be sure to notify the Nurse Practitioner if you have a history of Cold Sores before your treatment, we will prescribe you medication to take prior to your treatment to prevent a recurrence.
- Don’t forget to eat a good meal before your appointment.
Treatment Experience
Your treatment begins with an opportunity to ask any questions before proceeding. We then will take photos, go through the consent and aftercare forms, and apply topical numbing to your lips.
Once your lips are numb, we will remove the numbing cream and ask you to rinse your mouth with a medicated mouth rinse. We will do another cleaning of your lips and then begin the treatment.
Treatment is typically done via needle and does require multiple pokes, though you should be very comfortable with the topical numbing and the numbing within the filler itself. Results can be seen immediately after treatment, but it takes 2-6 weeks for filler to fully integrate into the lips. From beginning to end your treatment appointment will last about an hour.
After-Care
Your lips may begin to swell and bruise immediately after treatment. Here are some tips we recommend for aftercare:
- We will provide an ice pack that will help with any bruising/swelling and discomfort. You can use this as needed in 10-15 minute increments.
- Do NOT apply makeup or lip products for at least 12 hours following your treatment.
- Continue to avoid the use of Vitamin E, Green Tea, Fish Oil, Aspirin, and Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs until all bruising and swelling have resolved.
- Your lips may be swollen and tender; you can take an over the counter antihistamine for swelling and Tylenol for any tenderness (follow instructions on the medication package).
- Avoid heavy aerobic activity, hot showers/baths, and consumption of alcohol for a couple of days after your treatment.
- Do not massage or manipulate the areas of filler injections. It is normal to feel lumps/bumps in your injection area for the first couple of weeks, they should improve each day.
- Sunbathing, or excessive UV exposure should be avoided until the swelling has subsided.
- Avoid dental procedures and immunizations within 2 weeks of your filler treatment.
Expectations
We will do a follow up with you in two weeks to ensure everything is healing properly and the filler is integrating nicely. At this point your lips should feel soft and natural, sometimes a lump may last a little longer than two weeks, but should continue to improve and eventually integrate nicely. Juvederm lip filler is temporary and typically lasts 7-12 months, though can vary depending on many factors. It is very common to touch up lip filler annually to maintain volume and definition.
Leave a Reply