Lip filler aftercare has a bigger effect on your results than most people expect. The first 24 to 48 hours have the biggest influence on swelling, bruising, how comfortably your lips settle, and how natural they look once everything calms down.
Our general lip filler aftercare guide covers the day-to-day basics, so this article goes deeper on the specific questions patients ask Dr Brennand most often around what they can and can’t do after lip filler – from vaping and smoking to ibuprofen and sunbeds. When it comes to helping your lips heal quickly and smoothly, here’s what you really need to know.
Authored and reviewed by Dr Duncan Brennand, Lead Aesthetic Doctor, L’Atelier Aesthetics, Harley Street
It is best to avoid vaping for at least the first 24 hours, and ideally 48.
There are two reasons for this:
The same guidance applies, and if anything we are firmer here. Avoid smoking for at least 24 hours, and longer if you can manage it. Alongside the nicotine and the pursing motion, smoke exposes healing tissue to further irritation and can increase infection risk. Smoking also affects skin quality over time, working against the fresh, healthy look you are trying to achieve. If you smoke or vape regularly, it helps to plan your treatment for a day when cutting back for a while feels realistic.
We recommend paracetamol rather than ibuprofen for any discomfort in the first day or two. Ibuprofen and aspirin thin the blood, which can increase bruising and swelling around the injection points at exactly the time you want them settling down. Paracetamol, taken as directed on the packet, eases tenderness without that effect. The one exception is if a doctor has prescribed ibuprofen or aspirin for an ongoing condition. In that case, do not stop your medication on your own. Speak to your GP, or mention it to Dr Brennand at your consultation, and we will advise you.
Avoid sunbeds for at least 48 hours, and until any swelling has fully settled. Heat is the issue. Sunbeds, saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga and sunbathing all increase blood flow to the area, which can make swelling and bruising more noticeable and prolong recovery. UV exposure is also hard on healing skin. Once your lips have settled, daily SPF is a sensible habit anyway, as sun protection helps look after both your skin and your results over the longer term.
Beyond the four questions above, a handful of simple don’ts make the biggest difference in the first 24 to 48 hours:
| Avoid | Why? |
|---|---|
Touching, pressing or massaging your lips | Can disturb the filler and introduce bacteria |
Kissing | Can increase pressure on healing lips |
Alcohol for 24 hours | Can worsen bruising and swelling |
Strenuous exercise | Can increase swelling |
Makeup for 12–24 hours | Helps reduce irritation and infection risk |
Very salty foods | May contribute to swelling |
Patients who leave their lips alone and follow the aftercare advice below closely tend to have the smoothest, fastest recovery, so here’s quick reminder of all the biggest factors in helping lip fillers heal quickly:
| Do | Why it helps |
|---|---|
Drink plenty of water | Staying well hydrated supports your body's natural healing process and helps maintain skin hydration. |
Apply a cool compress | Holding a cool compress lightly against the lips can help reduce swelling during the first 24 hours. |
Sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated | This helps minimise overnight swelling by encouraging fluid to drain away rather than collect in the lips. |
Keep the area clean | Good hygiene reduces the risk of irritation or infection around the injection sites. |
Use gentle skincare around the mouth | Avoiding harsh products gives the skin time to recover comfortably. |
Leave your lips alone | Avoid touching, pressing or testing the filler, as unnecessary pressure can increase swelling and irritation. |
Most swelling peaks within the first 24 to 48 hours and eases noticeably over the following three to five days. The filler itself continues to integrate with the surrounding tissue for around two weeks, which is why we ask you not to judge the final result too early. Lips can feel slightly firm or look a little uneven at first, and this usually resolves as things settle. If you have an event coming up, plan your treatment at least two weeks ahead so your lips are fully settled on the day.
Most patients rate it low, often around a 2 to 4 out of 10, and brief. Before treatment we apply a topical numbing cream, and the lip fillers we use contain a local anaesthetic, so sensation reduces further as the treatment progresses. You are more likely to feel a small scratch or a little pressure at each injection point than sharp pain. Everyone’s tolerance is different, so if you feel anxious about discomfort, mention it at your consultation and Dr Brennand will talk you through what to expect.
Every patient heals slightly differently, which is why personalised aftercare advice is an important part of treatment at L’Atelier Aesthetics. Before you leave your appointment, Dr Duncan Brennand will explain exactly what to expect over the coming days and answer any questions you have about your recovery. If anything concerns you after your treatment, our team is always happy to help.
If you’re considering lip filler and would like expert advice on whether it’s the right treatment for you, book a consultation with Dr Brennand at our Harley Street clinic.
Avoid alcohol for the first 24 hours. Like ibuprofen, it thins the blood and can make bruising and swelling worse.
Wait around 12 to 24 hours before applying makeup or lip products, to reduce the risk of irritation or infection at the injection points.
Keep to gentle movement for the first day or two. Strenuous exercise raises blood flow and body heat, both of which can add to swelling.
Mild swelling, tenderness and small bruises are normal and settle within a few days. If you notice severe or increasing pain, marked colour changes, or swelling that worsens rather than improves, contact us promptly.
We welcome patients from across Marylebone, Mayfair, Fitzrovia, Regent’s Park, Soho, Knightsbridge, Belgravia, Chelsea and Kensington, as well as visitors travelling to London for specialist aesthetic and skin treatments. Our location benefits from excellent transport links, with Oxford Circus only a 13 minute walk away, Bond Street and Regent’s Park Underground stations are also both within easy reach. The clinic is also conveniently accessible from major London rail stations and Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports thanks to the Elizabeth line, making visits straightforward for both UK and international patients.
Whether you are travelling from within London or further afield, our Harley Street clinic provides a calm, professional environment for personalised aesthetic and skin health treatments in one of the capital’s most respected medical locations.
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