Swollen Lips After Dermal Fillers: Treatment, Impact, and Consequences

Swollen Lips After Dermal Fillers: Fibroblasts, which assist with tissue repair, and adipocytes, which store fat, become activated following the introduction of dermal fillers to boost lip fullness and give more definition to lips.

After having the procedure completed, if you’re looking at your reflection and noticing puffy lips, do not worry, you are not the only one. Swelling following lip filler application is extremely frequent and, luckily, is short-lived.

Whether you feel like it’s your first time undergoing lip fillers or if you’ve had several of these procedures completed, this blog outlines the reason behind swelling after lip fillers, the expected healing process, time-efficient approaches to reduce swelling, and what comes within the bounds of recovery.

What Follows Lip Fillers within the First Few Days

Lip fillers primarily affect the lips and surrounding tissues, leading to temporary swelling and increased blood flow in the treated area.

Areas decided to follow and look around the lips are heightened to an extent sure is pretty infectious. This leads to heightened blood flow which ultimately causes swelling to occur.

Damage at the Point of Aesthetic Surgery

The procedure of injecting the filler will require anatomising through the skin and muscle layer of the lip enabling to repeatedly bond to the skin and tissue.

This may cause some level of injury; therefore, the body tends to respond by swelling and expanding. This process is caused by moderate pain but when the filler is injected it becomes comforting.

Possible Vascular Injury or High Blood Flow

Certain blood vessels in the lips may get injured during the procedure leading to the area around the injection points to bruise and swell. These vessels will heal over time and any swelling will subside as well.

Water and Hyaluronic Acid Retention

The main constituent of most lip fillers, Juvéderm and Restylane, hyaluronic acid is famous for being able to attract and retain water. While this enhances lip volume, there is a chance it will also lead to localised fluid retention which will result in swelling.

Allergic Reactions (Few)

This reaction is rare, but an allergic reaction to the filler can lead to an unreasonable amount of swelling. Make sure that you tell your injector about every allergy before starting any intrusive surgery and make sure to describe any strange symptoms that pop up.

Usual Timeline of Swelling

This makes it easier to prepare for what to expect in the recovery phase. Here’s how quick the process of swelling occurs:

First Few Hours

Small swelling and redness may be noticeable a few hours after the injections. The lips and surrounding area can feel tender as well. Cold compresses are recommended to help ease discomfort.

24–48 Hours

The area with swelling is expected to peak in this time. Although your lips may look much bigger than what you imagined, this is just a blip during a transitional phase. To reduce the swelling, cold compresses can be applied.

1–2 Weeks

The puffiness in the lips should have decreased by this point and will appear slightly more natural. Tenderness and redness will continue to fade, if any exists.

2–4 Weeks

Most of the swelling should start to subside after a month, and this is when you start noticing the final results of the surgery.

If your swelling has not improved after following the above timelines, contact your injector as soon as possible.

Tips for Reducing Swelling

The following are some effective tips to aid in healing while also reducing swelling:

Use Cold Compresses

Around the mouth, a cold compress can be used to reduce inflammation. Ice should not be placed directly on the lips as that may cause soreness.

Sleep Elevated

Elevating your head while sleeping will help reduce fluid retention in the lips. For the first few nights sleep propped up with extra pillows to prop you up.

Stay Hydrated

Water helps in flushing toxins out of the body and also aids in faster recovery. Hydration will allow fillers to work optimally by utilizing hyaluronic acid.

Prevent Strenuous Activities and Excessive Heat

Warming drinks, hot weather, and exercise all have one thing in common: they can increase swelling. After treatment, cool beverages are recommended, in addition to resting.

Aloe Vera or Recovery Creams

Topical treatments like aloe vera can help hydrate the affected area and are beneficial for the healing process.

Be Gentle with Your Lips

Try not to touch or massage your lips too much. Applying too much pressure to your lips can increase swelling and slow down the recovery process.

Dealing with Bruising and Minimal Bleeding

Although rare, some patients may exhibit light bruising or minimal bleeding after the lip filler procedure. Here is some helpful information:

Bruising

Slight bruising between a few injection sites is normal. If you use arnica cream and apply a cold compress, this will aid in bruising and assist in the healing process.

Bleeding

Some bleeding from the injection points may take place, but it subsides within a brief period after the injection. Clean the area and simply leave it alone for optimal healing.

If excessive or prolonged bleeding occurs, seeing your health provider without delay is the best solution.

The Importance of Aftercare

Aftercare greatly impacts your overall recovery, and the results that you achieve from your dermal fillers will be maximised when aftercare is implemented.

Having a conversation with your practitioner about their aftercare instructions will help ensure that you are properly equipped to manage any side effects. Steer clear of any non-prescription medicines or approaches that have not been approved by your injector.

Your practitioner is the best for any questions or concerns so be sure to speak freely during your consultations and follow-ups.

Types of Fillers Used for the Lips

Now you understand that if you are to be enhanced with lip fillers, it is also important to know the type of lip filler that shall be used to help you set realistic goals.

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

The most popular ones used for lip fillers include Juvéderm, Restylane, and Belotero. They have a number of notable advantages including:

• They become part of the lips seamlessly.
• They have the ability to absorb moisture which results in fuller and hydrated lips.
• They are also able to be reversed as they can be dissolved when needed.

Other Types of Fillers

These fillers such as Calcium Hydroxylapatite or Polylactic Acid Putty are not popular choices for lip fillers, but some injectors may offer them. Make sure that you understand all the aspects regarding the product to be provided to you during your treatment.

Is Swelling After Lip Fillers Worth It?

Lip fillers can work wonders, making you look and feel as amazing as you truly are, but they also come with their downsides. One such downside is temporary swelling. Worry not, however. With proper care and understanding, temporary swelling is manageable.

This treatment can be managed easily when combined with proper education and proactive effort, so you can look and feel stunning.

Always make sure that you are putting your trust in a reputable and trusted dermal filler practitioner that has their licence and years of experience. This allows for peace of mind because not only will you be safe, you’ll also be far more likely to receive the outcome that you desire.