Lip Enhancement Procedures and the Wait Time Before Kissing
Lip enhancement techniques, including fillers and implants, can significantly improve the appearance of your lips, making them appear more appealing. However, engaging in kissing right after such procedures is not recommended. While it might seem unusual to inquire about the appropriate time to kiss or engage in more intimate activities with your partner post-procedure, these are indeed common and valid questions.
Here, experts provide detailed insights into the recommended waiting periods for romantic activities following five common lip enhancement treatments.
The Treatment: Lip Filler
There are multiple reasons to avoid kissing immediately after receiving lip fillers. The foremost concern is the risk of infection. "Whenever a needle penetrates the skin, it's crucial to avoid activities that could lead to infection or inflammation for 12 to 24 hours. Kissing falls under this category," explains Dr. David Shafer, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City. Dr. Michael Schwartz, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Westlake Village, California, emphasizes the need to allow the puncture wounds to heal to prevent bacterial entry.
Another reason is to ensure the filler fully integrates with the lip tissue. The pressure from kissing could potentially cause the filler to move. "This might result in asymmetry, with one side of the lips appearing fuller than the other. The filler could also shift above the upper lip or above the Cupid's bow, creating an undesirable 'monkey mouth' appearance. In such cases, your provider may need to dissolve the displaced filler and start over," Dr. Schwartz elaborates. Dr. Jessie Cheung, a board-certified dermatologist in Willowbrook, Illinois, recommends waiting even longer to kiss after filler injections, suggesting a period of three days, provided the kissing is gentle. (For those curious: oral sex exerts more pressure on the lips, so doctors recommend waiting three to seven days to minimize the risk of filler migration.)
Will your partner be able to detect the filler in your lips? "Swelling, unevenness, lumps, and bumps can persist for up to two weeks," Dr. Schwartz notes, which your partner may or may not notice. Once the swelling subsides, the specific type of filler used will determine how noticeable it is. Thinner fillers, like Juvéderm Volbella, add minimal volume and are barely perceptible beneath the skin, according to Dr. Shafer. Thicker fillers such as Juvéderm Ultra provide some plumping and have a soft feel, while thicker options like Juvéderm Voluma offer significant volume and structure, though they may be more noticeable to the touch.
The Treatment: Lip Lift
Lip lifts have been a staple in cosmetic procedures for many years and are currently enjoying a resurgence, thanks in part to social media. This procedure involves removing a strip of skin beneath the nose to reduce the distance between the nose and the upper lip, subtly enhancing the lips and balancing facial proportions. Due to the incision involved, healing takes time.
"Depending on the extent of skin removal, it's advisable to wait at least two to three weeks before attempting to kiss," advises Dr. Cheung. Comfort when pursing the lips is another consideration, as it can be painful while the lips are still swollen and sensitive. "You might still feel some numbness or tightness even weeks later, but this shouldn't hinder your ability to kiss," she says.
The type of lip lift also plays a role in healing time. Patients who undergo the bullhorn lip lift, which involves removing skin just under the nose, tend to heal more slowly compared to those who remove skin at the lip's border.
The Treatment: Lip Flip
This popular injectable lip enhancement option uses neurotoxins like Botox and boasts the shortest recovery time among the treatments discussed. Dr. Cheung states that you only need to wait 30 minutes before kissing; recent research indicates that the binding of the neurotoxin to nerve receptors occurs within minutes. "After that, you're free to engage in whatever activities you like," she adds. Dr. Schwartz agrees, noting that the superficial injection method of Botox and the small amount used during a lip flip significantly reduce the risk of complications such as muscle atrophy. Regarding the earlier point about injectable puncture holes and infection, these are much smaller than those required for filler, and the skin heals rapidly, so this isn't a concern.
The Treatment: Lip Threading
The risk of infection is again a consideration, but the primary concern is the migration of the threads, according to Dr. Cheung. "With PDO threads for the lips, the risk of migration is lower compared to filler, but you want the threads to settle properly," she explains. "Smooth threads and coiled threads are commonly used on lips, and while they don't tend to move after placement, the ends can irritate or even pierce through thin skin if they haven't fully settled, similar to an ingrown hair." This means gentle kissing is acceptable on the third day, but you should avoid oral sex until the fourth day, she adds, noting that your lips will likely be swollen and sore until then.
The Treatment: Lip Blushing
The waiting period largely depends on the technique used by your tattoo or makeup artist – some apply the pigment more superficially, while others go deeper into the lip, causing more swelling. In either case, your skin will be very sensitive and fragile afterward, so Dr. Cheung advises avoiding both kissing and oral sex for four days. Once fully healed, your kissing partner is unlikely to notice any signs of the treatment on your lips.
The Treatment: Lip Implants
Dr. Cheung recommends consulting your surgeon for specific details, but a general guideline is to wait four days for kissing and a week for oral sex. (This is to minimize the possibility of the implant moving out of position.) It's also worth noting that among all the mentioned treatments, implants are most likely to be noticed by your partner. "These are foreign objects that, unlike hyaluronic acid filler, will never integrate with your tissue and are more likely to be felt," says Dr. Schwartz. Dr. Cheung adds that the greater the trauma to the lip tissue, the more obvious the swelling will be, meaning implants will be both more visible and more palpable to your partner's lips.
Additional Considerations
Cold Sores
"Even if you've never had them, the trauma to your lips from any of these procedures can trigger a cold sore outbreak," notes Dr. Cheung. "If your lips feel itchy, extremely sensitive, or painful after the procedure, inform your provider. Treating cold sores early is much easier."
Dental Work
Avoid scheduling any type of dental appointment for two weeks before and two weeks after any lip enhancement. "Cleanings and dental procedures can stir up bacteria in your mouth, increasing your risk of infection," says Dr. Schwartz.
