How to Reduce Swelling after Lip Injections and Botox®

Before and after lip injection photographs with Juvederm® filler by Dr. Chaboki. Follow your plastic surgeon’s guidelines to reduce swelling and maximize recovery.

Swelling is a common concern among cosmetic surgery patients. While surgical patients expect swelling (edema) after surgery, liquid lift patients with Botox or Restylane® should consider a certain degree of swelling too. Fortunately, this swelling after nonsurgical office treatments usually resolves quickly. Lip injection or Botox patients may return to work very soon after treatment, even the same day in many cases.

Cosmetic surgery patients are typically proactive and often already utilize a variety of natural methods to reduce swelling. These plastic surgery swelling guidelines below generally apply to most procedures, including face lift or eyelid surgery.

Swelling after Botox, facial fillers, and lip injections may last a few hours or day, possibly longer, depending on multiple factors. Fortunately, a majority of the swelling resolves soon after visiting the plastic surgeon’s office. Typically, only the patient and surgeon may notice residual swelling, as the treated area doesn’t normally draw attention from friends, family, or strangers after the initial recovery period.

Before and after lip injection photographs with Juvederm filler by Dr. Chaboki. Follow your plastic surgeon’s guidelines to reduce swelling and maximize recovery.

How to reduce swelling after Lip Injections and Botox

Anything that is generally good for your health is also good for your skin and helps reduce swelling after lip injections and Botox. Be sure to follow the specific guidelines of your plastic surgeon after your office treatment. Read more about Dr. Chaboki’s care instructions before and after plastic surgery treatments on this website.

• Maintain hydration by drinking plenty of fluids, such as water and juices
• Consider taking certain herbal supplements, such as arnica montana and bromelain
• Focus on eating fresh fruits & vegetables
• Apply ice to treated area
• Keep the head elevated to allow gravity to reduce swelling

Before and after lip injection photographs with Juvederm filler by Dr. Chaboki. Follow your plastic surgeon’s guidelines to reduce swelling and maximize recovery.

What to avoid to minimize swelling after Lip Injections and Botox

Cosmetic surgery patients may help minimize swelling by proactively avoiding the following, in consultation with their plastic surgeon:

• processed foods or fast foods
• excess salt
• most herbal teas and supplements
• spicy foods
• blood thinning medications, including aspirin and ibuprofen
• smoking and smoke exposure

Before and after lip injection photographs with Juvederm filler by Dr. Chaboki. Follow your plastic surgeon’s guidelines to reduce swelling and maximize recovery.

What are other methods to reduce Lip Injection and Botox swelling?

Rest is important after lip injections and Botox. Plastic surgeons will recommend avoiding heavy activity or exercise for the first day or so after treatment. Dr. Chaboki may advise patients to skip a day or two at the gym.

Plastic surgeons may allow “air kissing” right away. Air kissing or light kissing (ex. peck on the cheek) generally doesn’t damage the filler. Minimal lip movement such as puckering and smiling is OK early too. Waiting at least 1-2 days before any heavier kissing is generally advised, as the filler settles and integrates with your lip tissue.

Lastly, swelling may be due factors other than treatment itself, such as allergies, thyroid condition, hormones, medication side-effect, or other medical conditions. As always, speak to your plastic surgeon to determine methods to help reduce swelling that is appropriate for you.

Have other tips to help reduce swelling after nonsurgical injections? Share your thoughts below, and be sure to follow us on social media, Instagram and Facebook.

Learn more about Dr. Chaboki, a specialist in cosmetic surgery.