BLOGS

What to expect after getting lip fillers

Lip fillers have become a popular noninvasive cosmetic treatment over the last two decades, with celebrities like Ariana Grande, Anna Faris and Kylie Jenner getting regular lip fillers, increasing the treatment’s popularity. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number of lip filler treatments has grown by more than 300% since 2000. Pop culture, medical research and the safety of the procedure have contributed to its growth.

Lip fillers are a nonsurgical cosmetic injection treatment to make your lips look plumper, fuller and more youthful. The injections mainly contain hyaluronic acid, which is a gel-like, soft, naturally occurring substance that hydrates and plumps the lips. The procedure is minimally invasive and takes a few minutes.

With the increased accessibility of the procedure and many people preferring to avoid full surgeries, some patients consider getting lip fillers. While it is  a minimally invasive procedure, you may experience some common side effects during your body’s healing process. Here is a guide on what you should expect after getting lip filler.

Will you be able to speak immediately after having lip fillers?

Yes. You’ll be able to speak immediately after having lip fillers. Lip fillers are designed to look natural and, when performed properly, will not affect speech. The procedure should never leave you unable to speak. 

Lip fillers will also not interfere with your ability to eat or drink. You may feel like eating or drinking isn’t a good idea right away, simply for the reason that the area of your mouth where you had lip fillers injected may still be numb from the procedure. However, this is a temporary condition and goes away very quickly.

How uncomfortable will the after-effects of lip fillers be for you?

It’s normal to feel a bit uncomfortable for about 24 hours. After that, you should be able to return to your routine without any problems. After having your treatment, you may experience the following effects:

• Numbness
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Heaviness or tightness in the treated area
• Minor pain or tingling at the injection site
• Temporary numbness of the mouth

These after-effects are minor, and you will be able to resume most of your normal activities immediately. You can apply ice to your lips to ease the bruising, swelling and any pain. Just be sure to cover the ice cubes with a cloth to prevent them from sticking on the lip. 

After the procedure, you should avoid strenuous exercise for 24 to 48 hours, as this can worsen the bruising. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and avoid applying makeup on your lips for 24 hours.

How frequently should this procedure be performed for maintenance?

The frequency of lip fillers depends on how quickly your body breaks down the product. You may need to schedule a touch-up within two to three months after the initial procedure. 

Some patients need maintenance, adjusted touch-ups and fine-tuning of their lips at six-month intervals, while others do well with only one visit every year. On average, lip fillers are effective between six and nine months. The most common lip filler injections are:

• Restylane
• Restylane Kysse
• Juvederm

What is the most common complaint from those having lip filler procedures? 

The most common complaint with lip fillers is bruising. Many patients are surprised at the amount of bruising they have after having the procedure, but this is completely normal. Bruising can last anywhere from one to two weeks. You can use gloss or light-colored lipstick to cover the bruising after the initial healing period.

Bottom line

Lip fillers are a great option if you want to boost your look with minimal pain and downtime. It is easy and takes only a few minutes. The effects last between six and nine months, and while there are side effects to it, they take only one to two weeks to subside. 

At Plastic Surgeons of Northern Arizona, our goal is to help you achieve a more plump and youthful look to make you feel more confident and comfortable. Contact us today if you’re considering having a lip filler procedure or have more questions.

Gratitude at Thanksgiving from the Plastic Surgeons of Northern Arizona

Since Plastic Surgeons of Northern Arizona was founded by doctors Steve Lex and Jack Quigley in 1991, we have worked to achieve our mission of providing state-of-the-art surgical care to the Northern Arizona community.

The founders, joined by Dr. Adam Boettcher in 2012, have collaborated with their outstanding, dedicated staff to serve patients with the utmost professionalism. Since opening, we have completed thousands of complex surgical procedures, which have helped our patients regain function and/or achieve improved appearance and greater confidence in themselves.

As they celebrate Thanksgiving, the doctors would like to express their gratitude:

To Our Patients

We would like to thank all our patients for recognizing us as one of the top surgical care providers in the region. You have helped our practice and ambulatory surgery center gain recognition throughout Northern Arizona through your trust in us, and we do not take that trust for granted.

We thank you for the referrals you have directed to us, as they have enabled us to reach out to more potential patients, who may never have known of our existence.

As we all know, every surgical procedure involves risk, and your trust means a lot to us. We appreciate your faith in us, and we look forward to continue serving you whenever you need us.

To Our Staff

We would like to thank you all for your dedication and hard work, and for all the important roles you play within our organization. A cohesive team is necessary to ensure the high-quality care we deliver to our patients, and to maintain a healthy organization over the years.

We are very proud of the team we have put together here at Plastic Surgeons of Northern Arizona. We are very fortunate to have staff who are devoted to their work, many of whom have remained part of our team for years or, in several cases, decades.

We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated staff. We appreciate you all!

Thirty years!

In 1991, the founders of Plastic Surgeons of Northern Arizona,  Dr. Steve Lex and Dr. Jack Quigley, came together in Flagstaff to serve the residents of Northern Arizona with the highest quality plastic surgery and hand surgery care. Joined in practice by Dr. Adam Boettcher in 2012, our board-certified surgeons have helped thousands of patients by performing complex procedures with the utmost precision and care. Through their expertise and leadership, PSNA continues to realize its dream and mission of offering state-of-the-art surgical care to all the residents of Northern Arizona. All of that hard work over the years has rewarded the practice with a very positive reputation throughout the Northern Arizona region.

This year has been a blessing to us, and we are thankful for everyone who has helped make 2021 a success. We extend a special invitation to all who may have considered our services to contact us today to learn more about what we can offer you. We guarantee that you will find a staff that genuinely cares for each and every patient.

We wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving!