12 Aug

How to Prepare For Your First Lip Filler Appointment

All lip shapes are beautiful—but at the same time, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to change up your look. In fact, the popularity of lip procedures has seen a 60% increase since the early 2000s. 

Whether you want to restore the former shape and/or volume of your lips or simply wish to enhance your natural beauty by plumping them up a bit, you’re probably wondering about how to prepare for a lip filler treatment. 

Harmony Med Spa has got you covered with all the details. Here’s what you need to know about preparing for your first lip filler procedure:

Clarify Your Desired Result

The first step in preparing for your first lip filler procedure is to identify the result you want. If you aren’t sure, take the time to browse the internet or a few magazines to find the looks you like best.

Bring these with you to your initial consultation so that the practitioner will understand your goals and can advise you on which approach would work best for your unique facial characteristics. 

The goal should be to still look like yourself, only a more confident version! A good practitioner will understand this and be able to guide you through what looks best on your face instead of simply trying to create a carbon copy of someone else’s lips. Don’t be afraid to seek out a different practitioner if you feel that your goals are not being listened to or if they are trying to impose a look on you that you aren’t comfortable with.

Avoid Certain Medications

If all goes well and you decide to move forward with the procedure, you’ll receive information on what to do and what not to do in the days leading up to your first lip filler procedure, which will include avoiding certain medications. However, in the case of prescription medication, you’ll need to speak with your doctor prior to stopping its use.  

Over-the-counter medications you should avoid starting several days before your lip injection procedure include the following:

• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Blood-thinning supplements such as fish oil or vitamin E; and 
• All types of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs.

Prescription blood-thinning medications should also be avoided during this time, but as mentioned previously, this cannot be done without first consulting your primary healthcare professional. 

On the other hand, Tylenol and other products containing acetaminophen are safe to take at any time before and after lip filler treatments.

Avoid Drinking Alcohol

It is particularly important not to drink alcohol in the days leading up to your first lip filler procedure. Otherwise, it can lead to excess swelling and bruising.

Arrive Bare-Faced For Your First Lip Filler Procedure

Arrive at your appointment with a clean face—this means no makeup or moisturizers, and definitely do not apply any type of lip gloss or protective treatment.

Know What to Expect During the Procedure

The typical procedure starts with a topical anesthetic being applied to your lip area to keep you as comfortable as possible. It can take up to 30 minutes for the area to become completely numb. Then, your cosmetic nurse will use a thin needle to inject the lip filler into the predetermined parts of your lips. 

When the procedure is finished, the nurse will apply gentle pressure on your lips to help them absorb the filler. The lip injection itself should take between 10 to 15 minutes, and the entire appointment will typically take no longer than 30 minutes.

Prepare for Aftercare

Most patients report feeling some level of numbness in the lip, mouth, and tongue areas after a lip injection procedure. This is entirely normal and should disappear within an hour or two. Some patients may experience temporary localized swelling and/or bruising. Slightly elevating your head while resting may help with this.

You should avoid exercise or exertion for 48 hours to avoid increasing your blood pressure levels. For this reason, you should also avoid eating fast food or food with high levels of salt. Include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet, and be sure to drink lots of water to remain well-hydrated. It’s also important to avoid spending prolonged periods in high temperatures, such as in saunas or the outdoors on warm or hot days. 

Acetaminophen is safe to take for any residual pain you may be experiencing. Be sure to keep the area clean per the aftercare instructions given by your clinic of choice and avoid any type of cosmetic products for at least 24 hours. 

Schedule Your First Lip Filler Procedure with Harmony Med Spa

Trust only the experts to carry out your first lip filler procedure. 

Harmony Med Spa’s lip filler services have put a smile on many lips in Oshawa and the local Durham Region Area.

Please contact us for more information on how to prepare for your first lip filler procedure or to schedule a complimentary consultation. For your convenience, consultations are available in person and virtually. If you’ve already had your consultation, you can book the number of units you require directly through our website.