Preparing for Your First Lip Filler Appointment: The Avere Beauty Checklist

📌 Key Takeaways

• Eliminate Bruising Risk with Smart 7-Day Preparation: Stop all blood-thinning medications and supplements (aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E) at least 5-7 days before your appointment to significantly reduce bruising and swelling at injection sites.

• Hydration Protocol Optimizes Treatment Success: Begin drinking plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment, as well-hydrated skin supports better treatment outcomes and a more comfortable procedure experience.

• Strategic Timeline Builds Confidence: Following the complete pre-care checklist eliminates guesswork and gives you clear action steps, helping you feel more confident during your appointment knowing you've prepared properly.

• Alcohol Avoidance Supports Better Healing: Skip alcoholic beverages for the week leading up to your appointment to create optimal conditions for your results to develop and support your body's natural healing process.

• Professional Preparation Maximizes Investment Value: This preparation routine serves you well for any future aesthetic treatments—once you understand how to prepare properly, you'll always get better results from your investments in self-care.

Following this comprehensive checklist puts you in control of your lip filler experience, ensuring you walk into your appointment thoroughly prepared for beautiful, natural-looking results that reflect your investment in professional aesthetic care.

You've booked your first lip filler appointment—congratulations! Now, you're probably wondering what comes next. That mix of excitement and nervousness you're feeling? It's completely normal. Being well-prepared is the best way to ensure you have a smooth experience and love your results.

This checklist is designed to give you that peace of mind. We've compiled the exact pre-care instructions our team gives all clients, based on years of experience helping Pittsburgh patients achieve beautiful, natural-looking results.

Key Terminology

• Dermal Filler: A gel-like substance, often made of hyaluronic acid, that is injected beneath the skin to restore lost volume, smooth lines, or enhance facial contours.

• Hyaluronic Acid (HA): A naturally occurring substance in the body that helps keep skin plump and hydrated. Most modern lip fillers are made from a synthetic, purified version of HA.

• Blood Thinners: A category of common medications and supplements (like aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil) that can interfere with blood clotting and increase the risk of bruising at injection sites.

The Avere Beauty Pre-Filler Checklist: Your 7-Day Countdown

Here's your complete preparation timeline—think of it as your roadmap to the best possible results. Each step has a purpose, and following this guide puts you in control of your experience.

One Week Before Your Appointment

✅ Stop Blood-Thinning Medications & Supplements

• Discontinue aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen, fish oil, vitamin E, and other blood-thinning supplements at least 5-7 days before treatment

• Continue any prescribed medications unless your doctor advises otherwise

✅ Begin Hydration Protocol

• Start drinking plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment

• Well-hydrated skin supports better treatment outcomes

✅ Avoid Alcohol

• Skip alcoholic beverages for the week leading up to your appointment

Style Note: Many clients tell us they feel more confident during their appointment when they know they've prepared properly. This timeline approach has become a community favorite because it eliminates guesswork and gives you clear action steps.

2-3 Days Before Your Appointment

✅ Continue Your Preparation Routine

• Maintain increased water intake

• Keep avoiding blood thinners and alcohol

✅ Plan Your Schedule

• Avoid scheduling intense activities immediately after your appointment

• Plan for a relaxed day following your treatment

✅ Skincare Adjustments

• Keep your skincare routine gentle and simple around the lip area

The Day of Your Appointment

✅ Final Preparations

• Arrive with clean skin—no lip products or makeup on the treatment area

• Bring sunglasses for the drive home (you might have slight swelling)

✅ Mental Preparation

• Remember your goals: subtle enhancement that looks natural

• Trust the process—you've done everything right to prepare

Peace of Mind: Following this timeline isn't just about physical preparation. It's about giving yourself the confidence that comes from being thoroughly prepared. You'll walk into your appointment knowing you've taken every step to ensure your safety and optimal results.

Why This Prep Work Matters for Your Results

Understanding the "why" behind each preparation step helps you feel more confident about the process. Here's what matters most for your experience.

Minimizing Bruising & Swelling

When you avoid blood thinners before treatment, you're helping reduce the risk of bruising at injection sites. Blood-thinning medications and supplements can interfere with your body's natural clotting process.

This is why we specifically recommend stopping aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, and vitamin E supplements—these are common items that many people don't realize can affect bruising risk.

Long-Term Value: This preparation habit serves you well for any future aesthetic treatments. Once you understand how to prepare properly, you'll always get better results from your investments in self-care.

Ensuring a Comfortable Procedure

Proper hydration supports your overall treatment experience. When you're well-hydrated, your skin is in optimal condition for the procedure.

The preparation steps we recommend aren't arbitrary—they're based on what we've seen work best for our patients over years of providing dermal filler treatments in Pittsburgh.

Setting the Stage for Beautiful Healing

Following the pre-care instructions helps create the best possible conditions for your results to develop. By avoiding alcohol and blood thinners beforehand, you're giving your body the best opportunity to respond well to treatment.

Your provider will explain more about what to expect during your appointment and provide detailed aftercare instructions to support your healing process.

You're Prepared, You're Ready, You're in Control

Take a moment to appreciate what you've accomplished. By following this checklist, you've taken an active role in ensuring your treatment goes smoothly. You're not just hoping for good results—you're contributing to them.

While this checklist covers your preparation, your post-treatment care is just as important for ensuring beautiful, long-lasting results. Your provider will give you a comprehensive aftercare guide at your appointment.

Have questions before your visit? Don't hesitate to reach out to our team. We're here to help you feel completely comfortable and confident.

Following this checklist for your first appointment is the first step in becoming a savvy and confident patient. Understanding how to prepare builds a great foundation for all your future aesthetic treatments, ensuring you always get the best possible results on your self-care journey.

Purpose & Scope: This guide is intended as a comprehensive starting point. For decisions specific to your unique situation, we always recommend consulting a qualified professional.

By the Avere Beauty Insights Team

The Avere Beauty Insights Team is our dedicated engine for synthesizing complex topics into clear, helpful guides. While our content is thoroughly reviewed for clarity and accuracy, it is for informational purposes and should not replace professional advice.