Can You Drink Alcohol After or Before Lip Treatments? | b clinic Skip to content

Can You Drink Alcohol After or Before Lip Treatments?

Beautiful soft lips are all over social media. A natural fuller pout can make you look and feel more youthful and attractive.

So it’s no surprise that lip fillers are one of the most requested cosmetic procedures in Australia. The non-invasive treatment can be performed during your lunch break. It also has one of the highest patient satisfaction rates.

But there are a few do’s and don’ts when it comes to lip augmentation. You can achieve the best possible results and avoid complications by sticking to the aftercare instructions provided by your injector.

In this guide, we’ll reveal the things you should avoid before and after getting lip fillers.

Here’s what you need to know.

Can You Drink Alcohol Before Lip Filler Injections?

You should avoid drinking any alcohol for 24 hours before lip filler injections. This is because alcohol is a vasodilator.

In simple terms, alcohol causes your blood vessels to dilate and widen. This means the blood vessels in your lips take up more space beneath the skin, increasing the risk of bruising.

Alcohol can also cause fluid retention and increase the risk of swelling.

After getting lip fillers, you want to be able to see the full results of treatment as soon as possible. Avoiding alcohol may help you enjoy your new look faster, rather than waiting for bruising and swelling to subside.

Can You Drink Alcohol After Lip Filler Treatment?

We recommend avoiding alcohol consumption for at least 24 hours after getting lip fillers. This is because of the same reasons mentioned above.

The tiny needles used during lip augmentation minimise the impact on your skin, but they still cause small puncture wounds that the body needs to heal. In addition, drinking alcohol during the healing process can thin the blood and increase the risk of post-procedure bruising and swelling.

It’s best to avoid alcohol to keep the recovery period as short as possible. Then, after a few days, you’ll be able to enjoy your beautiful new lips.

Does Alcohol Cause Bruising?

Alcohol can make you more prone to bruising. And we’re not talking about the extra bumps and knocks you may experience after drinking a few too many glasses of wine.

As mentioned above, alcohol is a vasodilator. It causes the blood vessels to expand, which increases the blood flow on the surface of your skin. That’s why some people get rosy cheeks when drinking alcohol.

The increased blood flow means blood vessels are more likely to rupture from trauma. When a blood vessel is damaged, blood leaks into the surrounding tissue. That’s the purple colour you can see with bruising.

What Will Happen if I Drink Alcohol After Getting Lip Fillers?

Alcohol is a vasodilator that acts as a blood thinner. If you consume alcohol after lip injections, it could cause your blood vessels to expand and result in more blood flowing to the skin’s surface. This can increase the risk of burst blood vessels around the injection sites. The increase in blood flow can also make any bruising and swelling worse. 

Is Swelling After Lip Fillers Normal?

It’s not unusual to experience some swelling after lip fillers. Most people report that swelling is most noticeable the morning after the lip filler procedure. However, this is a temporary side effect that shouldn’t last longer than a few days. 

You can minimise the risk of swelling by following the aftercare instructions provided by your practitioner. You should avoid certain things to reduce the risk of swelling and other side effects, including avoiding alcohol consumption. 

Avoid Strenuous Exercise

Skipping the gym for the first 24 hours after lip filler injections is a good idea. Strenuous exercise causes your heart rate and blood pressure to increase, making side effects like bruising and swelling appear worse.

A good workout will also cause you to sweat, dehydrating the skin and irritating the injection sites.

Dermal fillers are made from a substance called hyaluronic acid. It’s a natural sugar-based substance that attracts and retains water to plump your lips from under the skin. You can go for a walk to stay active, but you should avoid strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours.

Can I Drink Coffee After Lip Fillers?

There is a common misconception that caffeine can cause dehydration. However, there is no scientific evidence that mild caffeine intake will cause dehydration, which could affect the results of lip augmentation.

However, there is a risk of burning your lips with hot beverages following lip filler injections. Your lips may feel sore and slightly swollen and will be numb from the local anaesthetic for a while after the procedure.

It’s best to stick to room temperature drinks to stay hydrated for the first few hours post-treatment. You should also avoid using a straw for drinking, as puckering your lips can cause pressure that disturbs the dermal filler product.

Avoid Air Travel for a Couple of Weeks

The air in a plane cabin can also dehydrate your skin, affecting the dermal filler product and stopping you from achieving optimal results.

You’ll be able to fly a couple of weeks after lip filler injections, but you should stay on the ground and keep yourself well hydrated until the filler product has settled.

Don’t Smoke After Lip Filler Injections

You will achieve better results and reduce the risk of side effects if you give up smoking before and after lip fillers. Not only does smoking dry your skin, but it can also lead to more severe side effects.

A 2010 study showed that smokers have an increased risk of infection after dermal filler injections.

It’s best to quit smoking for good, but you should avoid smoking for at least 24 hours after lip fillers.

How Long After Anti-Wrinkle Treatment Can I Drink Alcohol?

Like dermal fillers, it’s best to avoid alcohol for 24 hours after anti-wrinkle injections. Alcohol thins the blood and causes the blood vessels to dilate, increasing the risk of bruising and swelling.

Avoiding alcohol can help you achieve optimal treatment results in the fastest time possible. You can enjoy your new look rather than waiting for bruising and swelling to subside. We recommend avoiding alcohol for 24 hours before and after anti-wrinkle injections.

Can You Eat After Lip Fillers?

Yes, you can eat after lip augmentation as long as you are careful. If a topical or local anaesthetic is used, you should wait for the numbing effect to wear off before eating anything. This can take up to an hour.

It’s also a good idea to avoid foods that are messy or difficult to eat. You don’t want to rub or wipe your mouth too much following lip fillers, so try to stick with foods that are easy to eat. You should also avoid extremely salty foods as they can irritate your lips.

Can You Take Painkillers After Getting Lip Fillers?

Most people find that they do not need any pain medication after lip fillers. However, if you do require painkillers, you can use over-the-counter paracetamol.

You should avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen. These types of pain medication can cause blood thinning that increases the risk of bruising. You should also avoid taking any vitamin E and fish oil supplements the week before and after your treatment.

If your lips feel sore or you experience swelling, a cold pack is the best way to alleviate the symptoms. You can wrap an ice pack in a clean towel or cloth and gently apply it to your lips as needed.

Read more tips on how to care for your lips after fillers in our interview with Dr Elle.

When Can I See the Final Results?

Lip fillers provide immediate results. After the procedure, you will notice your lips are fuller and more youthful. It can take a few days for any swelling or bruising to subside.

Around 2 weeks after lip augmentation, the dermal filler product will settle, and you will be able to see the final results. You can expect your lip enhancement result to last 6-8 months before a top-up treatment is needed to maintain your look.

Are Lip Fillers Safe?

Lip fillers are safe when performed by a trained practitioner. Most dermal fillers are made from a gel like substance that naturally occurs within the body. One of the benefits of using this type of product is that the filler can be dissolved using an enzyme if necessary. 

It’s important to choose a trusted cosmetic clinic with experienced staff for your lip filler treatment. The placement of the injection sites is the most significant factor regarding the safety of lip fillers. When performed by an inexperienced practitioner, dermal fillers can cause vascular occlusions and other unwanted side effects. 
If you want to find out if you are a good candidate for lip fillers, schedule a free consultation at b clinic today.