What happens before the lip filler procedure?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved lip balms for use in people under 21 years of age. As a result, you must be at least 21 years old to receive FDA-approved lip fillers.
Before the lip filler procedure, you will meet with your health care provider. They will assess many factors, including your mental health and any social circumstances. Your healthcare provider may ask the following questions:
- Why do you want lip fillers?
- What are your expectations?
- Do you think a lot about imaginary or very small flaws with your body?
- Is a spouse, partner or friend encouraging you to get lip fillers?
Your physical health and the shape of your face are also important. Your healthcare provider will assess your general health, including any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors. Talk to your healthcare provider about any allergies you have. And tell them about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications you take, including herbal supplements.
Your healthcare provider will examine and measure your face. They will also take pictures of your face and lips for your medical record.
When considering the size of your lips, it’s important to imagine how you’ll look. Consider getting a new haircut. You can show your stylist a photo to give them an idea of how you would like your hair to look. However, your stylist may tell you that your hair will not look like the photo due to your hair texture, hairline, volume or length. You may want your lips to look like a celebrity’s, but it may not be possible because your face shape and features are unique. Ask your healthcare provider if it would be helpful to bring a photo. But be prepared to describe in detail how you want your lips to look if your health care provider doesn’t want to refer to a photo.
What happens during a lip filler procedure?
During a lip filler procedure, your healthcare provider will apply a local anesthetic to your lips. The local anesthetic will numb your lips so you won’t feel any pain and the procedure is as comfortable as possible. Anesthetic creams often consist of benzocaine, lidocaine, and tetracaine (BLT). About 15 to 30 minutes later, your lips should be numb.
If you are allergic to BLT, your healthcare provider may give you a nerve block injection to numb your lips. About 15 to 30 minutes after the injection, your lips should be numb.
Your healthcare provider will then use a fine needle to inject the lip filler into any or all parts of your lips, including the edges of your lips (vermillion margin), the curve in the center of your upper lip (the arch of Eros) and your oral adjournments (corners of your mouth). You won’t feel pain, but you may feel a stinging sensation and your eyes may water. On average, your healthcare provider will insert 1 milliliter (mL) of lip filler into your lips, which is about one-fifth of a teaspoon. The needle will not go deeper than 2.5 millimeters (mm) into your skin.
Your healthcare provider may apply an ice pack to your lips throughout the procedure to minimize swelling and bruising.
The whole process can take as little as 30 minutes or as long as two hours.
What happens after a lip filler procedure?
After the procedure is complete, the health care provider may gently massage your lips so that they absorb the filler. They may also continue to freeze your lips.
Your healthcare provider will monitor you for up to 15 minutes to make sure you don’t experience any side effects, such as dizziness, nausea, or significant bleeding. Once they determine that you no longer need monitoring, they will let you go home (discharged). A local anesthetic won’t make you tired or tired so you can drive yourself home. However, you may want to have a family member or friend drive you home just in case.
Your lips may be swollen, tender and bruised. Swelling usually goes down after 24 to 48 hours, but can last up to a week.
Your healthcare provider will also schedule a follow-up appointment about two weeks after the procedure to monitor your lips. They may take another photo for your medical record so you can see what your lips looked like before the procedure and after they have healed.
The following tips will help your lips as they heal:
- Apply an ice pack for up to 10 minutes to reduce inflammation, pain and swelling.
- Avoid wearing lipstick, lip balm or any other product on your lips for at least 24 hours.
- Avoid touching or pursing your lips, including kissing and drinking from a straw.
- Be careful when brushing your teeth.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Avoid exercise for at least 24 hours.
