Lip Treatment Aftercare Guide

This aftercare guide covers what to expect and how to care for yourself after lip treatment at Core Aesthetics. Corey Anderson, AHPRA registered nurse, provides individual aftercare instructions at every appointment. This guide supplements those instructions and provides a reference for the days following treatment.

What to Expect

Significant swelling is normal in the first 24 to 48 hours. The lips may look considerably larger than the intended final result during this period. Bruising around the injection sites is common. Mild tenderness and firmness throughout the lip area is expected. This is a normal and expected response to the treatment process. It does not represent the final result. The settled result is typically visible at two weeks.

First 24 Hours

In the first 24 hours after treatment avoid vigorous exercise, hot food and drinks, alcohol, sun exposure. These activities increase blood flow, inflammation or heat in the treated area which can worsen swelling or affect how the product settles.

First 48 Hours

In the first 48 hours continue to avoid saunas, steam rooms, intense heat, vigorous massage of the lip area. These activities are particularly relevant in the early settling period when the product is most susceptible to displacement from pressure or heat.

Aftercare Checklist

• Do not touch, rub or press on the lips for at least 24 hours after treatment
• Avoid lipstick and lip products for at least 24 hours
• Sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated if possible for the first night
• Cold compresses applied gently for short periods can help manage swelling in the first 24 hours
• Avoid drinking through a straw for the first 24 hours
• The settled result is assessed at your two week review appointment

When the Result Settles

The initial appearance after lip treatment is affected by swelling and is not representative of the final outcome. The face looks meaningfully different at two weeks compared to the day of treatment or the day after. Corey recommends waiting for the full settling period before assessing the result.

A review appointment is scheduled at approximately two weeks after treatment. This allows Corey to assess the settled result, answer any questions and discuss whether any refinement is appropriate.

When to Contact Core Aesthetics

Contact Core Aesthetics on 0491 706 705 if you have any concern after treatment. Signs that require immediate attention include worsening pain rather than improving tenderness, skin colour changes in the treated area, and any symptom that feels unusual or is worsening rather than improving. Do not wait to see if it improves on its own if you are concerned.

For tear trough treatment specifically: vision changes of any kind after treatment require immediate emergency assessment.

Read more about aesthetic treatment complications and what to do and about lip treatment at Core Aesthetics.

General Information Only. This article is general in nature and does not replace a consultation with a qualified health practitioner. Treatment outcomes, suitability and risks vary by individual. Any medical or prescription treatment options can only be discussed and provided where clinically appropriate following an individual assessment.

Day by-Day Recovery Timeline Immediately After (First 24 Hours)
Your lips have just been injected with volume treatment. Swelling and tenderness are at their peak. **What to expect:**
– Moderate swelling (lips may look fuller than final result)
– Mild to moderate tenderness
– Possible minor asymmetry (very common; usually corrects within days)
– Slight puffiness extending to mouth area
– Minor numbness from topical anaesthetic **What to do:**
– Apply ice (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) during this period
– Rest and keep head elevated
– Take paracetamol if needed for tenderness
– Stick to soft foods (soup, smoothies, yogurt)
– Stay hydrated **What to avoid:**
– Touching or pressing lips (critical, let volume treatment settle)
– Makeup at injection site
– Hot foods or drinks
– Alcohol
– Strenuous exercise
– Smoking (delays healing) Day 2-3: Peak Swelling typically peaks 24-48 hours after injection. **What to expect:**
– Maximum swelling (largest apparent size)
– Asymmetry likely still visible (wait before worrying)
– Increased firmness (volume treatment integrating)
– Possible bruising appearing
– Tenderness decreasing **What to do:**
– Continue ice if swelling bothers you
– Gentle massage now okay (helps with integration)
– Can resume light walking
– Soft foods still recommended
– Continue hydration **What to avoid:**
– No makeup over injection sites
– No hot drinks
– No vigorous exercise
– No excessive facial movement if possible
– No heating pads or saunas Days 4-7: Swelling Decreasing
Swelling begins resolving; true results becoming visible. **What to expect:**
– Swelling notably decreased each day
– Asymmetry usually resolving
– Firmness normalising
– Bruising visible if present
– Results increasingly apparent
– Tenderness mostly gone **What to do:**
– Resume normal activities gradually
– Light exercise now okay
– Can apply makeup (if swelling allows)
– Can eat normal foods
– Gentle skincare okay **What to avoid:**
– Heavy exercise still not ideal
– Hot yoga or saunas
– No facials or aggressive treatments
– No sleeping on face if possible Days 8-14: Integration Complete
volume treatment is settling; true results visible. **What to expect:**
– Minimal swelling
– Asymmetry resolved (if treatment was balanced)
– Full contour apparent
– Results feeling natural
– Bruising fading significantly
– Complete tenderness resolution **What to do:**
– Full normal activity can resume
– Regular exercise okay
– Normal skincare routine
– Makeup and styling as usual
– Take photos for progress documentation reference **What to avoid:**
– Still avoid aggressive treatments for another 2 weeks Week 3-4: Final Integration
volume treatment fully integrated; final results stable. **What to expect:**
– Results appearing completely natural
– Sensation completely normalised
– Full confidence with appearance
– Bruising completely gone (usually)
– Results meeting or exceeding expectations **What to do:**
– Everything normal now
– Schedule any touch ups if desired
– Begin aftercare routine for longevity Expected vs. Concerning Swelling ✅ NORMAL Swelling
– Swelling peaks 24-48 hours then decreases daily
– Asymmetry day 1-3 (usually corrects)
– Tenderness that improves each day
– Slight firmness for first 1-2 weeks (volume treatment integrating)
– Mild discoloration or bruising
– Swelling completely gone by day 10-14 ⚠️ CONCERNING Swelling (Call Your Clinic)
– Swelling increasing after day 3 (should be decreasing)
– Severe asymmetry persisting beyond day 7
– Increasing redness, warmth, or signs of infection
– Severe pain disproportionate to swelling
– Difficulty eating or speaking that worsens
– Signs of infection: pus, excessive warmth, fever Managing Lips During Recovery Eating and Drinking **First 24 hours:** Soft foods only, soups, smoothies, yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes. Avoid:
– Hot foods/drinks (heat increases swelling)
– Hard or crunchy foods (pressure on lips)
– Spicy foods (may irritate sensitive skin)
– Alcohol (increases bruising/swelling) **Days 2-7:** Can resume normal diet but chew carefully to avoid pressing lips together excessively. **Week 2+:** Normal diet completely fine. Speaking and Smiling your lips may feel odd and restrictive initially, this is normal. The swelling makes normal speech and expression feel strange., You can speak and smile from day 1, but lips feel different
– Speech normalises as swelling decreases
– By day 5-7, most people forget about the treatment
– Don’t avoid natural expression; gentle use is fine Skincare Around Lips **Days 1-7:** Minimal skincare at injection site
– Avoid scrubs or exfoliating products
– Gentle cleanser only
– No intensive lip treatments **Week 2+:** Resume normal lip care
– Lip balm okay (hydration helps)
– Gentle exfoliation okay (avoid injection sites if bruised)
– Normal products safe Makeup Timeline **Days 1-3:** No makeup at injection site
– Swelling + makeup can look unnatural
– Makeup can trap bacteria **Days 4+:** Gentle makeup okay
– Mineral based foundation better than thick bases
– Lip colour okay (but lips still tender)
– Be gentle applying/removing **Week 2+:** Full makeup routine normal Optimising Volume treatment Longevity Volume treatment in lips typically lasts 9-12 months (shorter than volume treatment in other areas because lips are mobile). To support longevity:, **Hydration:** Drink 2-3L water daily; hyaluronic acid attracts water
– **Sun protection:** SPF 30+ lip balm; sun exposure breaks down volume treatment faster
– **Avoid smoking:** Smoking accelerates volume treatment breakdown
– **Good nutrition:** Balanced diet supports skin health
– **Sleep:** 7-9 hours supports collagen and recovery
– **Stress management:** High stress accelerates volume treatment breakdown When Can I Do Normal Activities? | Activity | Timeline | Notes |
|———-|———-|——-|
| Light walking | Day 1+ | Gentle movement is fine |
| Normal work | Day 2-3 | Most people resume desk work |
| Light exercise (walking, yoga) | Day 3-4 | Low intensity ok |
| Moderate exercise (weights) | Day 7+ | Avoid before this; heat increases swelling |
| Strenuous exercise | Day 10+ | Heavy cardio and sweating can cause swelling |
| Saunas/hot yoga | Week 2+ | Heat breaks down swelling reduction |
| Facials | Week 2+ | Avoid during first 2 weeks |
| Other lip treatments | Week 2+ | Avoid immediately |
| Swimming/water sports | Day 7+ | Chlorine ok after 7 days; before that avoid if possible |
| Sleeping on face | Day 7+ | Can resume; before that try to avoid |

How Facial volume treatment Is Used as a Structural Tool

Facial volume treatment is often described in terms of volume, adding more to make something look bigger. This framing misrepresents how volume treatment functions in skilled clinical practice. Volume treatment is a structural tool. It can restore lost support in areas where facial volume has diminished with age. It can define a contour that was never clearly pronounced. And in some cases it can shift the proportional relationships between facial regions in a way that changes how the face reads overall.

Volume, in the sense of visible fullness, is sometimes a goal. But the mechanism is anatomical. Volume treatment placed in the right tissue plane, at the right depth, with an understanding of the surrounding anatomy, produces a different result than volume treatment placed superficially to fill a surface irregularity. This is why technique, placement, and clinical knowledge matter far more than product selection.

At Core Aesthetics, treatment decisions are based on a full facial assessment. Corey evaluates the face as a whole before deciding whether volume treatment is appropriate, where it would be most effective, and what volume would be consistent with a proportionate outcome. This assessment may lead to a recommendation not to treat, and that outcome is equally valid.

Understanding Facial Volume Loss and Why It Matters

The face changes with age through a combination of processes: bone resorption, fat pad redistribution, muscle changes, ligament laxity, and skin quality decline. These processes do not happen uniformly or at the same rate in different people. Two people of the same age may present very differently because of genetics, lifestyle, sun exposure, and individual anatomical variation.

Volume loss is one of the most clinically significant contributors to an aged appearance. When the structural support provided by subcutaneous fat and bone diminishes, the overlying skin is no longer held in place by the same framework. Features that once appeared well defined become less distinct. The relationship between facial thirds can shift. Hollowing in specific areas, the cheeks, the temples, the under eye region, creates shadows and contours that are often interpreted as tiredness or loss of vitality.

Understanding the underlying anatomy is essential to treating it appropriately. Volume treatment placed to address a surface concern without accounting for the structural deficit beneath it will produce a less effective and less enduring result. The consultation process at Core Aesthetics focuses on identifying the anatomical contributors to the concerns you have raised, not just addressing the surface appearance.

The Assessment Process Before Any Volume treatment

At Core Aesthetics, the consultation for facial volume treatment is a structured clinical appointment, not a sales conversation. Corey assesses the face in three dimensions, at rest, during movement, and from multiple angles. The goal is to understand the structural landscape of your face before deciding where, how much, and whether volume treatment is the right approach.

Key aspects of the volume treatment assessment include evaluating facial symmetry and identifying natural asymmetries that should be preserved or addressed; assessing the depth and distribution of any volume deficit; reviewing skin quality to determine how volume treatment would integrate; and discussing your goals in the context of what is anatomically achievable. For some concerns, volume treatment alone is sufficient. For others, a combination of treatments, or a different approach entirely, may be more appropriate.

You will leave the consultation with a written treatment plan that documents the assessment findings, the proposed approach, and the expected outcomes. Treatment is scheduled at a separate appointment, allowing time to consider the plan, ask further questions, and make an informed decision without any time pressure.

Dissolution, Complications, and Revision

Hyaluronic acid volume treatments are reversible. If a complication arises, if the result is unsatisfactory, or if a patient wishes to return to their baseline, hyaluronidase enzyme can be injected to dissolve the volume treatment. This is an important safety feature that distinguishes hyaluronic acid products from permanent or semi permanent volume treatments, which cannot be dissolved.

Dissolution does not always produce an immediate return to the pretreatment state. The process requires time, and in some cases more than one dissolution treatment. Swelling from the dissolution procedure can temporarily alter appearance. Corey will explain this clearly at consultation so that patients understand what reversal involves before they commit to treatment.

At Core Aesthetics, only hyaluronic acid formulations are used for facial volume treatment, the reversibility of these products is a deliberate clinical choice. Emergency protocols for vascular occlusion, the most serious potential complication of volume treatment, are maintained at the clinic. Patients are briefed on the signs of this complication and given emergency contact instructions as part of every treatment appointment.

Clinical accountability and aftercare review

The aftercare guidance throughout “Lip treatment Aftercare Guide” is written and reviewed by Corey Anderson, an AHPRA registered nurse (NMW0001047575) who has been on the AHPRA Register of Nursing and Midwifery since January 1996. Aftercare is one of the few parts of aesthetic treatment practice where what the patient does at home meaningfully changes how the result settles. Because of that, the instructions on this page are deliberately conservative: they describe what the published clinical literature supports, what Core Aesthetics observes across consultations, and what individual patient anatomy can reasonably tolerate. Results vary between individuals, and so does aftercare tolerance, what one patient finds comfortable on day three, another may find tender for a week.

Specific to lip treatment aftercare: the timing recommendations on this page are framed around the typical healing curve for healthy adult skin. Patients on systemic medication, with autoimmune conditions, with recent dental work, or with a history of slow healing should let the clinic know, those variables can extend the recovery window. The aftercare instructions Core Aesthetics provides at the consultation are personalised to the patient and may differ from what’s described here in non trivial ways. If anything in this page contradicts what the patient was told on the day, the consultation instructions take precedence. For broader context, the cheek volume treatment aftercare guide page covers related decisions in more depth.

Patients reading this page who want to verify Corey Anderson’s AHPRA registration can do so directly on the AHPRA public register at ahpra.gov.au using registration number NMW0001047575. The Core Aesthetics clinic operates from 12A Atherton Road, Oakleigh VIC 3166, Tuesday to Saturday, by consultation appointment. All new patient treatment at Core Aesthetics follows a structured clinical consultation, consistent with the September 2025 AHPRA cosmetic procedures guidelines. Treatment may be scheduled for the same day as consultation or at a subsequent appointment, depending on clinical assessment and individual circumstances. Patients with questions about the content on this page can raise them at consultation; the practitioner is happy to walk through any clinical reasoning that the written content does not fully capture. Results vary between individuals, and the consultation is the appropriate place to discuss what those individual variations mean for a specific person’s treatment plan.