Best Pre-Appointment Steps Before Lip Fillers

If you’re thinking about getting lip fillers (or you’ve already booked your appointment, exciting!), a little prep goes a long way. One of the best ways to ensure smooth treatment, minimal swelling, and beautiful results is to prepare properly before you come in.

At Flawless Medical Cosmetics, I always remind my patients that lip filler isn’t just about the treatment itself; it’s also about how you care for yourself leading up to it. Here's my simple guide to getting your lips “appointment-ready".

1. Take a Break from Blood Thinners

About a week before your appointment, it’s best to stop taking blood-thinning medications and supplements such as aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, St John’s Wort, garlic, or ginseng. These can make bruising or swelling worse after your treatment. Mild, temporary bruising can be a side effect of having fillers, but this tip will help those on blood thinners to take extra precaution.

If you’re prescribed any medication, don’t stop it without checking with your GP first, but for most over-the-counter supplements, a short break is perfectly safe and very worthwhile. It's also worth sharing this information with your injector and make sure that you're seeking treatment from a qualified medical professional. Your wellbeing is worth it!

2. Skip the Wine (Just for a Bit)

I know, it’s not what anyone wants to hear, but avoiding alcohol for at least 24–72 hours before your lip filler appointment really helps. Alcohol can thin your blood and increase the risk of bruising, bleeding, and swelling. It also makes it harder for your body to heal quickly, so it’s worth saving that glass of wine for after your treatment.

3. Go Easy on Actives

Retinol, glycollic acid, and tretinoin — these are a wonderful trio of ingredients for healthy skin, but they can make your skin a little more sensitive. I would advise avoiding using them around your lips for two or three days before your appointment to prevent irritation or dryness. If you're not sure, speak to your injector during your initial consultation.

4. Hands Off the Hair Removal

Whether it’s waxing, bleaching, tweezing, or hair-removal creams, give the area around your lips a rest for at least two days before your appointment. This helps keep your skin calm and reduces the risk of redness or irritation. We don't judge!

5. Tell Me if You Get Cold Sores

If you’re prone to cold sores, please let me know ahead of time. Starting antiviral medication a couple of days before your appointment can help prevent an outbreak, which sometimes happens after lip injections. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference to your recovery and our goal is to help you look and feel as flawless as possible.

6. Stay Hydrated

Hydration is key! Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment. Why? Because hyaluronic-acid fillers love water, and well-hydrated skin responds better to treatment. Think of it as giving your lips the best canvas possible. Fill up, top up and sip up!

7. Take It Easy Beforehand

You may love this pre-appointment tip (most of my patients do)! Try to avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, or steam rooms for 24 hours before your appointment. Heat can increase circulation and make bruising or swelling more likely, so it's a good excuse to take it easy the day before your lip filler appointment.

8. Arrive Fresh-Faced

On the day of your treatment, come in with a clean face, no makeup, lipstick, or lip balm. I know it can feel like your skin is a little 'naked' but this helps reduce the risk of infection and keeps the treatment area completely sterile.

It’s also a great idea to eat a light meal before your appointment so you don’t feel faint or light-headed, especially if you're a little squeamish or scared of needles. Here's one of my secrets...bring sunglasses! They’re perfect for feeling comfortable (and a little incognito) afterwards if you experience any mild swelling.

9. Not Feeling 100%? Reschedule.

If you’re under the weather or have any infections, including colds, it’s always better to reschedule. Your body needs to be at its best to heal properly, and it’s simply not worth taking the risk if you're not feeling 100%. Just be sure to give your injector as much time as possible so that you can reschedule an appointment time that works for you and help your injector out (we appreciate it).

Final Thoughts

Preparing properly for your lip filler appointment makes a big difference to how you heal and how your results look. The ultimate goal is to always help my patients feel flawless from the inside out after their treatment, and these small steps help minimise bruising and swelling while setting you up for the smoothest, most natural outcome. Aka, filler-fabulous!

If you’re ever unsure about what to do before or after your appointment, just ask your injector. I’m always happy to guide you through it so you can feel confident, comfortable, and excited about your results.