You should also avoid taking herbal supplements like vitamin E, fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids, garlic, gingko biloba, St. John’s wort, ginseng, and primrose oil 7 days before or after your appointment because they can act as blood thinners. Cranberry juice can also act as a natural blood thinner, so steer clear of it in the days before and after your appointment. [2] X Research source
Alcohol also dehydrates you, which can make your face look slightly bloated.
If you take blood thinners, talk to your doctor before taking arnica pills. You can buy arnica without a prescription at any pharmacy or natural health store. You can also get arnica in a topical gel. Some people report that massaging the gel into their lips an hour before getting an injection helps prevent swelling and bruising.
Don’t apply ice directly to your lips because the direct cold could irritate your skin. The doctor or nurse will probably give you a paper towel or other covering to put over the ice pack.
If you have a cold sore the day of your appointment, reschedule to a later time so the cold sore can heal.
If you feel self-conscious about the extra swelling, ice your lips right before going out to get rid of any extra puffiness. Don’t hold ice directly onto your lips because the cold ice can freeze-burn the sensitive skin on and around your lips.
During the first 24 hours, the filler will be absorbing water from your own tissues and acclimating to the muscles in your face. Exercise can cause this process to happen faster than it would otherwise, increasing the chance of bruising or long-term swelling. Sweat also carries a lot of bacteria, which can plug up the injection sites and cause an infection.
This means drinking through straws, smoking cigarettes, whistling, and taking kissy-face selfies are off-limits for at least 24 hours.
If it’s hot outside to the point where you might sweat, stay indoors in the air conditioning.
Also be careful not to bite your lip while eating to avoid migration. Be gentle while washing your face and applying lip balm.
It’s okay to temporarily bend down when you need to, but don’t lower your head below your heart for long periods of time.
While it’s rare to have an allergic reaction to lip fillers, you should let your doctor know if you’ve experienced any itching, blistering, peeling, or developing rashes. [14] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
For example, if you weigh 140 pounds (64 kg), aim to drink 70 fluid ounces (2,100 mL) of water every day. Limit or avoid caffeinated or alcoholic drinks like coffee, black tea, wine, spirits, and beer because they can cause dehydration and water retention.
Read the labels on frozen foods, canned vegetables, condiments, and dressings because some varieties have lots of sodium. Skip the drive-through or popular chain restaurants and cook at home using whole foods as often as you can. The recommended daily amount of sodium per day is 2,300 mg, which is equal to 1 tsp (4. 2 g). However, your body can function with as little as 500 mg per day so it’s okay to withhold salt for the first 2 to 3 days of your recovery if you’re prone to bloating after salty meals.
The bromelain in pineapple can also act like a mild, natural painkiller.
If you plan to make a smoothie containing lots of antioxidant-rich fruits, remember to avoid drinking it out of a straw for the first 24 hours after your treatment.
Nuts like almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, and pecans also contain omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which help your body make more tissue-healing white blood cells. Whole milk, cheese, ice cream, and red meat also contain trans fats, so stay away from dairy and meat until your lips are healed.
Oats, quinoa, millet, barley, buckwheat, farro, and sorghum are all great ways to load up on whole grains and fiber without the inflammatory effects.
Capsaicin (the compound that makes spicy foods taste so hot) increases the amount of heat your body produces. While your lips are healing, it’s best to avoid unnecessarily raising your body temperature.
