What Helps Bruising After Lip Fillers?

You may have heard that lip fillers are the solution to give you the full, pouty, and “kissable” lips that everyone wants. These safe and effective injections are sought out by millions of people each year. When you visit BUDDIGA Skin Aesthetics Med Spa for your lip injections, Dr. Praveen Buddiga will use the highest-grade, FDA-approved fillers to ensure you love the way your lips look.

Before your first lip filler appointment, it helps to know what kinds of side effects you can expect during the treatment process. One of the most common side effects of lip fillers is bruising. Your lips might be sensitive after the appointment, but this dull pain will wear off in a few days.

Here’s what you need to know about bruising after lip fillers – including how long it lasts and how to reduce it.

What Causes Bruising After Lip Fillers?

Any time your skin is damaged, it has the potential to bruise. The bruising you see after lip fillers is no different than the bruises that form after you accidentally bump into a desk at work. You might feel a dull ache from the bruise following your injections and your lips might be sensitive, but the injury isn’t serious.

Bruising is actually a small hematoma, which occurs when blood vessels get punctured or leak. While Dr. Buddiga is precise with his injections to reduce the effects of bruising, there will always be some damage to the blood vessels in your lips. By working with a medical professional for your aesthetic procedures, you can guarantee you will receive the best care to mitigate any side effects.

Will I Bruise After Lip Fillers?

Some people will experience moderate bruising after their lip filler appointment, while others won’t. This depends on your genetics and your blood vessels. If you are normally sensitive to bruising, then you may have worse side effects after your injections. If it takes a lot for you to bruise normally, then you might not notice much sensitivity.

The skin on your lips and face can be more sensitive than the skin in other parts of your body. This means you might notice bruising after your lip fillers even if you normally don’t have sensitive skin.

Is Bruising Normal After Lip Fillers?

Bruising is a perfectly normal response to lip fillers. Even though the needle is small and the injection is precise, your body still sees the puncture as a form of trauma.

Swelling, bruising, and sensitivity are all signals to your brain that a specific part of your body needs to heal. In the same way that sensitivity on a twisted ankle tells your brain to avoid walking on that foot, bruising after lip fillers tells your brain that your lips are in recovery.

As your lips heal from the injections, your bruising will clear up. Your lips can start to look better within a few days and will be healed in a few weeks.

Why Have My Lips Bruised After Lip Fillers?

Lip fillers are an injection-based treatment. Dr. Buddiga uses a fine needle to inject a serum into your lips and may use multiple injection points in one appointment. This serum fills in lines and reduces thinness, leaving your lips plump and luscious. Bruising is a natural reaction to the puncture of your skin and the injection. Even though your skin is only affected for a few seconds, it may take a few days to heal.

How long does swelling and bruising last after lip fillers?

There is no way to determine exactly how long your bruises will last after lip fillers. Some people notice their bruising has cleared up within a few days. Other patients who are more prone to bruising have to wait a few weeks before the bruises are gone. Most people have to wait at least a week for their bruises to heal completely.

One of the most important things to look for if you experience swelling after lip fillers is daily improvement. Your swelling might not clear up in 24 hours, but you want to see if the bruising gets a little better each day until it is completely gone.

How To Reduce Swelling and Bruising After Lip Fillers

Every person is different, which means your body may be more or less prone to bruising than other patients who seek out lip fillers. You may walk away with minimal bruising or need to take steps to reduce lip sensitivity. If you want to reduce your risk of bruising, follow these steps:

Stay hydrated – both before and after your appointment.
Apply an ice pack to your lips lightly. Wrap the ice in a cloth so it doesn’t touch your lips directly. Applying an ice pack can also help with other potential side effects of lip fillers, including swelling, itching, and sensitivity.
Avoid foods with excess sodium. Instead, seek out fresh fruits and vegetables. Leafy greens have Vitamin K which helps blood clot, while pineapple has been shown to decrease bruising.

You may be able to take pain medication to prevent sensitivity and swelling in your lips. Talk to Dr. Buddiga to see if an over-the-counter dose of Tylenol or Motrin is right for you.

How Long Does Bruising Take To Heal After Lip Fillers

For some patients, the bruising caused by lip fillers will subside within a few days and they will enjoy full, luscious lips without any pain or sensitivity. For others, it may take longer for the bruising to go down. At most, it can take a week or two for your bruising to fully heal. As long as your lips are getting better – not worse – it is a good sign that you are healing from the injections.

If you are getting lip fillers for a special event – like a wedding or a photoshoot – try to schedule your appointment with Dr. Buddiga at least two weeks before the event. This will ensure your lips look healthy and full for your photos.

How to Prevent Bruising Lip Fillers

There are some steps you can take to decrease your chances of severe bruising after your fillers. These efforts might not eliminate bruising entirely, but they should prevent the bruises from getting worse.

Avoid flying for at least a week after your injections. The changes in air pressure on a plane can make the swelling and bruising worse.
Avoid alcohol for two days after your injections.
Avoid vigorous exercise for two days after your injections.
Avoid extreme temperatures – especially the heat. Do not enter any saunas or attend a hot yoga class. Try to stay indoors and out of the sun.
Do not apply makeup to the affected area.
Do not sleep on your face. Try to sleep with your head elevated.

If you can follow these steps, then you should be able to enjoy many of your favorite activities after your lip fillers. There isn’t any downtime after the procedure, so you can return to work and your life as normal.

How to Get Rid of Bruising From Lip Fillers

If you recently received lip fillers and have noticed bruising, there are a few steps you can take to speed up the healing process. There are certain creams and gels which can help reduce the appearance of bruising. A few common remedies include:

Aloe vera: this is the same soothing gel you use after a sunburn. Dr. Buddiga may recommend a specific aloe product for your lips and face.
Vitamin K: this vitamin helps your blood clot and prevents excessive bleeding. Vitamin K is found in leafy green vegetables but can also be taken as a supplement.
Arnica cream: this ayurvedic cream is meant to reduce swelling and ease pain. You can find it in various grocery stores and pharmacies.

When you receive your lip fillers, ask Dr. Buddiga about his preferred method to reduce bruising. He may recommend one cream or gel over another, based on his experiences. Also, alert Dr. Buddiga to any allergies you have, so you don’t have a reaction on your lips.

How To Heal Bruising After Lip Filler

If you follow these steps to prevent bruising, treat it, and help it heal, then you should reduce the negative side effects of lip fillers. However, your bruising will have to heal on its own. You can’t rush the process, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Schedule a Lip Filler Appointment With Dr. Buddiga

If you want to enjoy perfect plump lips, make an appointment with Dr. Buddiga at BUDDIGA Skin Aesthetics Med Spa. He can answer all of your questions about lip fillers – including potential side effects and aftercare. Dr. Buddiga works with patients from all walks of life. He has helped people overcome their bruising and knows which treatments work. Request a consultation today to get the lips you love.