Lip fillers are incredibly common, not only in your favorite celebrities and social media influencers, but amongst your friends, family, and even neighbors. You may have gotten a lip filler yourself, in which case you may not need the tips below. However, if you had a not so great experience with your first lip filler, or, are in the process of planning to get your first lip filler, here are a few tips to help you plan ahead to avoid any unsatisfactory results, and to ensure that you will be getting a lip filler you love!

It is important that you find an expert to perform your lip filler. You want to be able to trust the person who will give your injections, rather than just go with the first one you see, just to find out that they are below average at what they do. It is incredibly important for you to like their work, which is why it is helpful to do extensive research not only on the injector themselves, but the clinic in which they work. If it is inside a hotel room or someone’s home, don’t even think about it! Move on and find a reputable medical spa. If you live in a larger city like New York City, you shouldn’t have any issues finding a medical spa, especially because there are so many to choose from. Clinics like New York’s Skinly Aesthetics cosmetic dermatology offer a variety of minimally invasive treatments with injectors that know a ton of different techniques so you don’t get stuck with that one basic duck face style lip.

After you've found the injector you love and trust, you can take a look at the before and after photos. Do you like the way that they look? Do they all look similar to each other? If they do, then you may want to move on to a different clinic as this one may only offer one particular technique or lip filler style. It is important to ensure that the techniques you choose will fit your lips and face. To get an idea of how it feels, you might also consider a lip flip. Lip flips are minor lip enhancements that work through the injection of small amounts of Botox right above the lip causing an upward flip making the upper lip look slightly larger. 

Take a photo of the lips you like with you to your appointment. Although your lips may not look exactly as in the photo, it is helpful to have a reference photo that you can show your injector to help them get an idea of your preferences. To ensure that your lips are in the desired direction, you can show them the photo for their reference.

Call the clinic or medspa before you go to your appointment and ask if they offer numbing cream. Lidocaine cream can reduce pain during the procedure. If the clinic does not offer numbing cream, you can buy lidocaine cream at much lower prices in most pharmacies and convenience stores.

You should schedule a consultation with the doctor before you make your actual filler appointment. It is important that you are able to talk to the doctor about the procedure, especially if there are any concerns or questions. This will make you feel more at ease. It isn’t the best idea to just walk into a clinic and get your injections without speaking with the doctor first, and is also unprofessional for a doctor not to speak to his patient first.

There are many types of fillers available, but make sure it is a Hyaluronic Acid. The hyaluronic acid will last between 6 and 12 months. They can also be dissolved if you are not satisfied with the results or wish to change your mind. Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved using Hyaluronidase injections, which break down hyaluronic acid. You can learn more about hyaluronidase by exploring this link. There are many types of hyaluronic acid fillers, so be sure to discuss which one is the best for you with your physician.

You may feel very swollen and bruised up to one week after your lip filler. This should be taken into account before you book your appointment. Also, make sure you have no important meetings or outings that will require you to show your face if you don’t want anyone to know.

It is better to start with a regular or less than average amount, even if you are looking for dramatic results. You can start with half of a syringe, or one full syringe, before you purchase a second. You should start small if you have never used lip filler before. If you feel you need more volume, you can always add more later.

Trust your doctor and do your research. There is no reason to be anxious. It is quite common for an experienced injector to inject lip fillers several times per day. Although it can be painful, you will love the results. To make it easier, you can read blogs or learn from beauty professionals.

Ask your provider about post-care instructions. There will be some swelling and bruising. You will likely be advised by your doctor not to exercise for three days. Because the filler may not fully settle for 3 days after surgery, to ensure the filler doesn't move around, it is important not to touch or rub your lips. Ice your lips for swelling after the filler has been applied. Arnica gel, which can be bought over-the-counter at most pharmacies, is a great option to reduce bruising. You can also use a warm compress the second day following your treatment for this. You can use this every day until your bruising disappears completely.

You will be fine as long as you know the details about the filler, the doctor, and the post-care. Make sure you do your research before you have any procedure. This will ensure you get the beautiful lips you want.