Swelling After Fillers in Lips: What to Expect and How to Manage It?

Swelling After Fillers in Lips: Are you experiencing swelling after getting lip fillers?

You’re in good company. A lot of people will respond the same way and it is in fact very natural.

This article will help you break down the timeline of swelling and everything that comes with it, including factors that influence it, management techniques and professional consultation procedures.

The aim here is to help you understand the process so you can enjoy your results without any anxiety.

How Much Swelling After Fillers in Lips is Normal?

Lip fillers are generally expected to cause some level of lip swelling and lip fillers are no different. One way to think about swelling is as the natural reaction in your body to an injection of filler through the delicate lip tissue.

While it may seem frightening, the good news is that swelling is most likely temporary in nature and as time progresses, resolves and simply goes away.

Stages of Swelling And The Expected Timeline

If you know the stages of swelling, it should enable you to worry less within the first few days after the procedure.

First 24 hours: This time is best recalled as the peak of swelling. Rest assured, your lips will feel and look much fuller. Not to mention some tenderness or slight redness may also appear during this period.

Days 2-3: This phase usually marks the apex of swelling for most patients. Lips may feel uneven or lumpy, and oftentimes the aesthetic appears unreal. Do not worry, this is normal.

Days 5-7: Swelling starts to reduce and lips begin to take on their natural texture.

Two weeks: All swelling should resolve by this point. Consult your practitioner if swelling persists alongside pain, redness, or signs of an infection.

What Makes Lips Swell Post Procedure?

Lip fillers lead to swelling for a variety of reasons:

Injection technique: How this procedure is done has a direct correlation with the body’s response. In any trauma-based practice, skilled practitioners do their best to reduce tissue trauma.

Type of filler used: The majority of fillers in hyaluronic acid are lip fillers, with sodium hyaluronic acid being one of those fillers that naturally pulls water towards it. The extent and type of filler used can determine the final swelling brought after application.

Amount of filler: Larger amounts of product can cause greater swelling than smaller amounts.

Lidocaine: Quite a few fillers have Lidocaine in their composition. A numbing component, Lidocaine also has the ability to cause temporary swelling.

How to Manage Swelling After Lip Fillers

Coping with swelling after fillers is easy as there are certain actions that take no effort and that will certainly make you feel more relaxed during recovery.

Use Ice Packs

Applying an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the lip area can be soothing. Ice should not be applied directly to the skin, as it can cause injury. Try using ice and rest together throughout the day.

Consume a Nutritious Diet

Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. Salty and spicy foods should be avoided, as they may aggravate fluid retention and inflammation. You may try a diet instead that is high in vitamins and antioxidants, and that supports healing.

Sleep with an Elevated Head Position

Resting with your head supported by extra pillows while sleeping will decrease the blood flow to the injected area and help minimise swelling and fluid collection.

Try OTC Treatments

Over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol can help alleviate discomfort; however, anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen should be avoided, as they can lead to prolonged bruising. Other medications such as arnica cream and antihistamines may help minimise swelling.

Refrain from Excessive Exercise

In the first 24 to 48 hours after treatment, patients should not partake in any activities that increase blood circulation, including exercise, saunas, and hot baths.

Expected/Referred Common Side Effects

There are a few other expected side effects that may occur along with swelling:  

• Bruising around the injection area  
• Redness or slight soreness  
• Lumps and bumps, which usually smooth out with continued healing

These side effects should go away after a few days or weeks. If they continue or worsen, contact your doctor.

How Long Does Swelling Last?

People typically notice swelling starting to go down within two to three days. However, it can take your lips up to two weeks to settle and fully heal. As a reminder, everyone heals differently due to their metabolism, skin type, and the type of procedure done.

If swelling lasts longer than two weeks accompanied with other symptoms such as fever, extreme pain, or discolouration, reach out to your practitioner right away to avoid complications.

The Body’s Natural Response and Reversibility

Swelling is simply the body’s reaction to the injections. It’s nothing to worry about unless it persists for too long or comes with other symptoms. Furthermore, you can rest easy knowing that the results from hyaluronic acid fillers aren’t permanent. The substance will, eventually, be broken down and absorbed by the body.

If you are unsatisfied with the results you received, or you suffer from unwanted side effects, hyaluronic acid fillers can be reversed safely with hyaluronidase, an enzyme which dissolves the filler.

Making Your Healing Process Much Easier

Knowing everything about the recovery from any aesthetic surgery is much easier if one possesses the right information.

Using knowledge, proper aftercare, and understanding what is normal versus abnormal, are all essential in making sure that the inflammation process goes as smoothly as possible so that healing becomes easy and the results are mind-blowing.

In case you have additional questions and concerns regarding the recovery process, do reach out to the aesthetic practitioner who performed the procedure. With their knowledge and experience, they will be able to assist you with tailored guidance for your needs.