Sun Exposure And Lip Fillers: What You Need To Know
Planning to spend a lot of time outside? Looking for an excuse to show off your beach-ready look? Having a sculpted body is one thing, but aesthetic treatments for enhancing the appearance of the skin are also a popular option at this time. If you want to give your face a refreshed, youthful look while combating wrinkles, the good news is that minimally invasive injectables like lip injections won’t get in the way of your outdoor activities. After being in quarantine for such a long time, many of us can’t wait to get out again—and fillers can give you a confidence boost as you do. And one of the best parts about getting lip injections? The dermatology team at Albuquerque, NM’s Western Dermatology Consultants explains that patients can get the treatments at any time of the year because the results won’t be adversely affected by sun exposure or swimming.
You should, of course, continue to practice safe sun habits. But while you do, keep this in mind:
Sun Exposure Can’t Harm Fillers
Facial fillers, including lip fillers, are often made up of soft gels containing hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in the body. It’s the molecule that helps you maintain supple, soft skin by pulling in water from the deeper layers or from the atmosphere into the outer surface of the skin. Since it’s able to retain a large amount of water, it’s considered to be one of the best moisturizing ingredients for skin and is used in many topical products.
Right after patients have fillers, it’s common to experience some swelling, redness, and bruising at the injection site, but these side effects are generally minor. Although some injectors might advise you to keep out of the sun for the first few hours, you generally don’t have to worry about the gel being broken down by sun exposure. Spending a day at the beach or by the pool won’t have any immediate or long-term negative impact on fillers.
However, if you notice that your lips look a little flatter after a few hours in the sun, remember that you might just be dehydrated. Hyaluronic acid is attracted to water, so you need to be getting enough fluids. Drinking water helps you to heal at a faster rate. Note that you also need to avoid heavy exercise that raises the blood pressure and heart rate during the first two days after fillers. High temperatures from saunas, steam rooms, or working out could make the swelling more pronounced.
You Still Need to Protect Your Lips
Just like the skin on other parts of the body, the lips are susceptible to sunburns, skin cancer, and other types of damage caused by intense and cumulative sun exposure. The skin on the lips is particularly thin and fragile. Along with the eyelids, the lips are one of the areas that many people forget about when they’re applying sun-protective products. Long-term sun exposure on the lips can not only lead to discoloration but also a dry, sandpapery texture and precancerous growths known as actinic keratoses. Sun exposure is also one of the leading contributors to lip wrinkles. Also remember that as you age, the skin produces less collagen and oil, so it’s common for lips to become thinner and drier.
To safeguard your lips against the harmful effects of UV rays, wear a lip balm or lipstick with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Ideally, you should look for products that contain mineral sunscreens with ingredients such as titanium oxide and zinc oxide. Remember that because you’re eating, drinking, talking, and licking your lips, you’ll need to reapply lip sunscreen more often than sunscreen for other areas on the body. Additionally, wear a wide-brimmed hat, sit in the shade, and stay out of the sun during peak hours if you want to avoid further sun damage.
Want to learn more about facial fillers? Find out about how lip injections and other types of cosmetic dermatology options can restore volume and sculpt smoother, shapelier lips. Reach out to The Spa @ Western Dermatology Consultants by calling 505-855-9267 or submit a contact form to request a consultation for more details on cosmetic treatments.