After Your Treatment
Lip Filler Aftercare & Recovery
A calm, complete guide to healing comfortably and protecting your result — answering the questions clients ask most.
Lips swell easily, so a little care in the first few days makes a big difference. The first day or two are not your final result — swelling settles, and your lips usually look their best by around two weeks.
Your recovery at a glance
| Time | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Swelling, tenderness, tightness |
| Day 2 | Peak swelling |
| Days 3–7 | Bruising fades, swelling improves |
| Week 2 | Final settled result |
| Months 6–12 | Gradual filler breakdown |
A guide only — everyone heals at their own pace.
First 24–48 hours
Please do
- Gently apply a wrapped cool pack for short periods to ease swelling
- Stay hydrated & eat soft foods
- Keep lips clean
- Sleep slightly propped up; avoid sleeping face-down
- Take Paracetamol if you need it
Please avoid
- Touching, pressing or massaging the lips (unless instructed)
- Lipstick, gloss & makeup on the lips
- Hot drinks, spicy food & straws
- Alcohol, smoking & vaping
- Strenuous exercise, saunas, steam & hot baths
- Kissing & dental work for a couple of days
Understanding swelling
Swelling is the most common side effect after lip filler and is completely normal. Swelling is not your final result. Many clients experience:
All completely normal
- Lips looking larger than expected
- Uneven swelling
- One side appearing bigger than the other
- Changes throughout the day
- Increased swelling the morning after treatment
Swelling often peaks within the first 24–48 hours and gradually improves over the following days. For this reason, please don't judge your final result until at least 2 weeks after treatment.
Understanding lumps & firmness
Many clients notice small lumps, bumps or areas of firmness after treatment. In most cases these are caused by swelling, mild inflammation, filler settling into the tissues, and normal healing. Small lumps usually soften naturally as the filler integrates.
Please do not massage your lips unless specifically instructed by your practitioner.
Contact us if
- Lumps become painful
- Lumps become increasingly red
- Lumps worsen rather than improve
- You're concerned about how they feel
Understanding asymmetry
The lips are naturally asymmetrical before treatment, and swelling can temporarily exaggerate this. During the first 2 weeks it is normal for one side to swell more, one lip to appear larger, or the lips to feel uneven.
A true assessment of symmetry should only be made once healing is complete.
When can I…
…wear lipstick?
Lipstick, gloss and lip products are best avoided for the first 24 hours. After this, they can usually be worn if the lips are healing normally.
…kiss?
We recommend avoiding kissing for 24–48 hours to minimise pressure, irritation and the introduction of bacteria.
…exercise?
Avoid strenuous exercise for 24–48 hours; light walking is encouraged. After this, most clients gradually return to their normal routine.
…fly?
Flying is generally safe after lip filler. If possible, allow 24–48 hours before travelling so any early swelling can be monitored and managed comfortably.
…have dental treatment?
Avoid dental treatment for approximately 2 weeks — including hygienist appointments, fillings, crowns, root canal treatment and extractions — as it can increase inflammation and infection risk.
Cold sores
If you're prone to cold sores, filler can occasionally trigger an outbreak. Please contact Layali Clinic if you experience tingling, burning, itching or a developing cold sore — early treatment may help reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.
What is NOT normal — contact us immediately
A blocked blood vessel (vascular occlusion) is a rare emergency. Contact Layali Clinic straight away if you notice:- Severe or increasing pain that's out of proportion
- White skin (blanching) around the lips
- Grey, blue, purple or mottled discolouration
- Delayed capillary refill or the skin becoming cold
- Blistering
- Vision changes
Signs of infection
Although uncommon, infection can occur after any injectable treatment. Please contact Layali Clinic if you notice:
Contact us if you notice
- Increasing redness
- Increasing swelling after initial improvement
- Heat
- Pus or discharge
- Fever
- Feeling generally unwell
Early treatment is important.
Your review appointment
Your final result is usually assessed at approximately 2 weeks. At this stage we can:
At your review we
- Assess healing
- Review symmetry
- Discuss whether a top-up is required
- Answer any questions
Please avoid requesting additional filler before your lips have fully settled.
A final reassurance
The first week is healing.
The first 2 weeks are settling.
Only after this should your final result be judged.
Beautiful lips are rarely created in a single moment — they're created through careful treatment, proper healing and patience. Most side effects are temporary and part of the normal healing process.
If you're ever unsure about anything, please contact us — we would always rather hear from you than have you worry at home.
Thank you for trusting us with your treatment.
Layali Clinic · 442 Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, London, E10 7DT · 07787 708200 · layaliclinic@gmail.com · Privacy Notice