How do you properly clean lips after lip filler?

Question

I want to get lip filler but I am scared. My best friend got an infection from not cleaning hers properly after eating and drinking or brushing her teeth because the injector told her to lightly dab them with dry tissue or napkins. This led to them not being cleaned properly of debris and food and she caught a bacterial infection and is on antibiotics now. Can you show me how to properly clean my lips and what astringent I can use to keep bacteria away while healing? Is alchohol too strong to use or the witch Hazel with the blue bottle? Please give me all the tips I can use and implement because I really want to get my lips done

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin - Winnetka & Chicago. This is a great question. It's important to follow proper aftercare to ensure smooth healing and optimal results. To clean your lips, gently wipe the area with a clean, damp cloth or use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser if needed—avoiding any scrubbing or pressure. Avoid applying makeup or any strong skincare products to the lips for at least 24 hours post-treatment. It's also best to avoid touching or massaging the lips unless instructed. Keeping the area clean, avoiding excessive heat or sun exposure, and staying hydrated will help promote healing and minimize the risk of infection or irritation. If there's any swelling or tenderness, using a cold compress (wrapped in a clean cloth) can provide relief without disturbing the treated area. I hope this helps and best of luck!

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

You can gently clean the lips with unscented soap and water after treatment.  A light application of Aquafor can keep them moist.  You can speak with your injector if antibiotic ointment is recommended for you.  Harsh chemicals such as alcohols or astringents may be too drying and irritating when lips are first treated.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

When caring for your lips after receiving fillers, it is important to maintain cleanliness while avoiding irritation. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help ensure proper care:

Gentle Cleansing: Use a gentle, non-alcoholic cleanser to clean your lips. Opt for a mild, fragrance-free facial cleanser and apply it gently with a soft, damp cloth or cotton pad. Avoid vigorous rubbing to prevent irritation.

Avoid Alcohol-Based Products: Alcohol can be too harsh on the sensitive skin of your lips post-filler. Instead, consider using a mild astringent like alcohol-free witch hazel to gently cleanse the area if needed.

Moisturization: Keep your lips moisturized to prevent dryness and cracking, which can increase the risk of infection. Use a gentle, unscented lip balm or ointment, ideally one recommended by your healthcare provider.

Eating and Drinking: After eating, gently dab your lips with a soft, damp cloth or tissue to remove any food particles. Avoid using napkins or tissues that might leave fibers on your lips.

Avoid Touching: Minimize touching your lips with your hands to prevent bacterial transfer. If you need to touch your lips, ensure your hands are clean.

Oral Hygiene: Be gentle around the lip area when brushing your teeth. Consider using a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid irritating the lips.

Monitoring for Signs of Infection: Stay alert for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, pain, or discharge. Seek medical advice promptly if any of these symptoms occur.

By following these steps, you can help reduce the risk of infection and promote healing after having lip fillers.

Mauricio Castano, MD · Answer

Hi, more than just having a proper lip cleaning, is more important where and who do the procedure. This should be done by a certified doctor (plastic surgeon ,facial plastic surgeon or dermatologist), most of the time when none authorized/certified injector do the procedure, the quality of the product and the technique isn't the adequate, proper asepsis before and during the procedure is mandatory, none of the injections are done inside the mouth, just through the dry mucosa, never on the wet mucosa, if its done with a cannula , this enters from the mouth corners. 
You can clean up your lips with any antiseptic even with water&soap, having a proper mouth hygiene with a regular teeth brushing will help as well, there are some antiseptic pads that will also help, but as i mentioned the most important part is to get it done with someone that is certified.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Infections in the lips are extremely uncommon, and your friends experience was a fluke.
The mouth has high density of bacteria and you can’t sterilize areas around your lips.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

How do you properly clean lips after lip filler?

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Answer: Lip filler

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Answer: Infections in the lips

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How do you properly clean lips after lip filler?

Answers (5)

Answer: Lip filler

Answer: Lip filler

Answer: Infections in the lips

Answer: Infections in the lips

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lip Fillers

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.