Lip filler aftercare: what patients need in the first 48 hours

Lip filler generates more anxious next-day messages than almost any other treatment, and most of them are about swelling that is entirely normal. A patient who was warned in writing that day 2 looks worse than day 1 sends a calm photo for reassurance; a patient who was not sends a panicked message at 7am or, worse, posts about it. Written aftercare sets expectations day by day, gives clear instructions for the first 48 hours, and makes sure every patient knows the small set of symptoms that genuinely need urgent contact. It also protects you: a documented sheet, sent and timestamped, is your evidence of the advice given. The sheet below is complete. Copy it, adjust to your own protocol, and send it after every lip appointment.

The aftercare sheet

Your lips will look and feel different over the next few days, and most of what you notice is a normal part of healing. Here is what to expect and what to do.

What is normal, day by day

• Day 1: swelling begins within hours and your lips may feel tight, tender and warm. Small bruises and slight asymmetry are common.
• Days 2 to 3: swelling usually peaks around 48 to 72 hours. Your lips may look noticeably bigger and more uneven than the final result. This is expected; do not judge the outcome yet.
• Days 4 to 7: swelling settles steadily. Bruising fades through the usual colour changes.
• By 2 weeks: the true result. Any review with your practitioner is best judged at this point.

For the first 24 to 48 hours

• Apply a clean, cloth-wrapped ice pack or cool compress for 5 to 10 minutes at a time to ease swelling. Never apply ice directly to the skin, and do not press hard.
• Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours, ideally 48; it widens blood vessels and worsens swelling and bruising.
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 to 48 hours for the same reason.
• Avoid heat: saunas, steam rooms, sunbeds and very hot drinks on day 1.
• Keep makeup off your lips for around 24 hours to reduce infection risk at the injection points.
• Avoid pressure on your lips: no kissing firmly, no drinking through straws on the first day, no sleeping face down if you can help it.
• Drink plenty of water. The filler attracts water and your lips will thank you for it.

Lumps and firmness

Small lumps or firm areas are common in the first two weeks and usually soften as the filler settles and swelling resolves. Do not massage your lips unless your practitioner has specifically advised it; well-meaning massage can shift the product and change the result. If a lump persists beyond two weeks, book a review.

Warning signs that need immediate contact

The following are rare but important. Contact your practitioner immediately, not at the next appointment, if you notice: blanching (patches of skin turning white) on or around your lips, dusky, grey or mottled patches, severe or increasing pain that feels out of proportion to the treatment, or skin that looks like it is breaking down. These can indicate that the filler is affecting blood supply and the earlier it is treated, the simpler the fix. If you experience any change in your vision, treat it as an emergency and seek medical care straight away.

Lip treatments can also reactivate cold sores if you are prone to them. If you feel the familiar tingle or notice blistering, contact your practitioner: early treatment helps, and it is easy to confuse a cold sore with something more serious.

If anything worries you, contact your practitioner; that is what we are here for.

When patients should contact you urgently

For your team, the vascular red flags bear repeating: blanching, dusky or mottled skin, severe disproportionate pain, and any visual change. Anyone reporting these should reach the practitioner the same day, and visual symptoms are an emergency. Build the escalation path into reception’s playbook so nothing waits in an inbox overnight. And document everything: record that aftercare advice was sent, when, and in what form. If a patient massaged their lips against advice or ignored the 24-hour makeup window, your timestamped sheet is the difference between a discussion and a dispute.

Make this automatic

AesthetiClinic emails this aftercare sheet automatically after every appointment, branded to your clinic, and logs on the patient record that it was sent. Every lip patient gets the same advice within minutes of leaving the chair, with no reliance on memory at the front desk. See our features page for how it fits your workflow, and pair it with the dermal filler consent form template for the full written journey.

General aftercare guidance for UK aesthetics practice. Your practitioner’s specific advice always takes precedence. Patients with urgent symptoms should contact their practitioner or seek medical care immediately.