Russian Lip Filler: A Look at Recovery Time and What to Expect

Lip fillers have recently become the buzzword with numerous techniques surfacing to give lips shape and volume. Among them is the technique that has gained significant attention nowadays: the Russian lip filler method. The former gives fuller and well-defined lips of a natural shape which calls attention to the cupid’s bow. Unlike other methods of filling for lips, the Russian lip filler provides a much more customized outcome and has many gone ga-ga on its quest. But with every cosmetic process, it becomes important to understand how long it’ll take to recover from getting Russian lip filler treatment. With this blog, we explain the recovery, the results expected, and tips that may help you get the best outcome.

What is the Russian Lip Filler Technique?

It is also important to understand what the Russian lip filler technique involves and why it has gained such popularity before venturing through the recovery process. Traditional lip fillers, mainly serve to make the lips big by adding all-over volume. In contrast, the Russian technique presents a volume by lifting the lips up to create height. The filler injects vertically and carefully sculpts the lips to give an enhancement of their natural curves.

It gives a light heart-shaped effect, which has been mimicked from Russian dolls, and it is because of this that it has acquired its name. The result is a fuller yet more natural look with a strong-defined cupid’s bow and slight upward lift in enhancing the overall lip shape.

The Procedure: What to Expect From Your Procedure.

The Russian lip filler procedure is similar to many others in lip filler treatments but with some specific differences in techniques and expertise. Here’s what you may expect during the treatment process:

• Consultation: You will meet with a cosmetic specialist to discuss your goals and explore the anatomy of your face, and how to structure it to your best advantage. They will also be able to tell you exactly what to expect in terms of healing and the type of filler used.
• Numbing: Topical anesthetic cream is applied to numb the lips as they are injected with filler.
• Injection: Russian lip filler is injected in sparse amounts but in a way that the injector is more into lifting up the lips rather than bulking them. The treatment will take several injections that are arranged in perpendicular lines at the lip border to give the impression of being lifted and fuller.
• After-procedure care: Once the treatment is completed, your provider will give you after-procedure instructions, which are very important to help you have a smooth recovery.

Although the actual treatment with Russian lip fillers only takes about 30-45 minutes, that’s every patient’s recovery period they should be prepared for.

Recovery Period of Russian Lip Filler

As with any injection-based treatment, recovery time for the Russian lip filler is different from one client to another. Most patients take about 1 to 2 weeks to recover, during which time they can expect swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the areas treated.

Breaking Down the Recovery Timeline

Day 1: Immediately After Treatment

This swelling around the lips occurs within minutes of the treatment. Some bruising or redness can sometimes occur around the injection sites. These are always normal and completely expected as part of your body’s reaction to the injections. Your lips will be firm, and maybe even a bit tender to the touch, immediately after the treatment.

At this stage, follow your provider’s instructions for aftercare, including avoidance of oral intake, including alcohol and high-intensity exercises, and keeping your mouth clean, to avoid using any form of makeup or cosmetics over the treated area.

Peak Swelling: Day 2-3

Swelling is at its most vivid on the second and third days after treatment. Keep from panicking swelling is part of healing and will be gone. Your lips may look bigger than you’d imagine, but this is temporary.

Cold compression can be applied and you may need immediate advice on that to help reduce swelling. Still, avoid pushing too hard, since it will only hinder the settling of the filler. Arnica gel or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication may also be prescribed to alleviate discomfort or bruising.

On day 4-7, swelling stabilizes.

By the end of the first week, most swelling should already diminish and, by then, give you a definite shape to your lips. You can expect bruising but this fades away with time. Your lips will become softer by now; they would probably be stiffer initially.

Now, take good care of moisturizing your lips and try to restrain yourself from touching and rubbing them as much as you can to reduce the swelling; it might make the filler slightly move, but at least you can be in your best shape again. Do not expose yourself directly to the sun for its UV can prolong the swelling and bruising.

Days 7-14: Almost Fully Recovered

It takes most of people close to two weeks for swelling and bruising to resolve, but by now, lips should have set in a final form. The hardness that was evident will soften, and you can expect the fuller, more natural appearance of your lips to begin.

So, at this point, most of you will make a follow-up appointment with your provider to check the result, so you can be assured that everything heals well as expected. Then, in case something needs correction, they do small touch-ups to achieve the desired final appearance.

Long-Term Results and Maintenance

Once your recovery period is over, you would be able to see all the resultant effects of your Russian lip filler treatment. These effects of the filler would last between 6 to 12 months, depending on the type of filler, as well as other factors such as metabolism and lifestyle.

Touch-ups are recommended every 9 to 12 months for result maintenance. However, patients can go as often as they’d like if they wish to have their lips stay at their maximum volume even more frequently.

Post-Procedure Aftercare Tips for Russian Lip Filler Recovery

Maintaining the right aftercare will ensure that your recovery is as smooth as possible and the desired outcome long term. Here’s how to do it:

• Avoid lots of lip touching or pressing: Steer clear of massage or any form of manipulation of your lips for a while after treatment as this can cause the filler to move around or change the final product.
• Hydrate: Hydration will help keep your lips moist, so it will help with healing post-treatment.
• Use an ice pack: Cold compresses may assist with swelling and pain. Be gentle.
• Avoid strenuous exercise: Strenuous exercise may increase blood flow, thereby exacerbating bruising or swelling. Refrain from exercise for 24 to 48 hours post-treatment.
• Sleep on your back: An elevated head can help counteract the added swelling associated with sleep. Sleeping on either your side or your stomach may create pressure points on the lips, thus impeding healing.
• Avoid heat and sun: Keep direct sun, saunas, and hot showers off for at least the first days following treatment. Heat tends to make swelling and bruising last longer.

What to Expect Regarding Outcome

Because the Russian lip technique is actually ideal for those looking for that more defined and lifted lip shape without looking too voluminous or sporting the “duck lip” that a lot of people fear, it adds a natural look with an enhancement of the contours, focusing on the lips as appearing fuller but not over-stuffed.

The result is often very subtle, elegant, and flattering and is usually for people who want to have a more refined look with the Russian lip filler technique.

Conclusion

The Russian lip filler technique is one of the popular methods of enhancing the shape and volume of your lips in a subtle, lifted appearance. It’s very important to understand the recovery period, which should be easy without any problems for great results. Recovery can take up to two weeks, but the after-effect lasts longer. So, it is well worth being a good investment in your beauty routine; you’ll end up enjoying, with proper aftercare, beautiful lips that last for some time and look as natural as possible, just refreshed.

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