Lip Filler Swelling Stages? Here’s What to Expect
If you’re considering getting lip filler of your own or doing research to learn more about how the procedure works, you’ve come to the right place.
The advanced practice providers at Skin Pharm would love to work with you to help create the lips you’ve always dreamed of.
We have information about what to expect before, during and after your appointment and what lip filler swelling stages you’ll likely experience. That way, you can feel confident getting lip filler at Skin Pharm.
How does lip filler work?
Lip filler is an injectable cosmetic treatment, a procedure that is performed similarly to Botox or Dysport. However, instead of injecting a neuromodulating agent that paralyzes the underlying muscle, lip filler (and other types of dermal fillers) are injected to plump up or fill in areas of concern.
Common lip fillers include Juvederm and Restylane, which are both treatments that we offer here at Skin Pharm. (While we also offer Sculptra, it is not recommended for use in the lips.)
Most dermal fillers are made out of one of three different active ingredients — hyaluronic acid (HA), poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) or calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA).
For context, Juvederm and Restylane are both hyaluronic acid-based fillers, while Sculptra is a poly-l-lactic acid injectable that stimulates collagen (which is why we don’t use it in the lip area — collagen stimulation isn’t the goal).
When injected into the lips, filler (which is often a gel-like substance) works to support and change the shape of the underlying tissue, thus altering the aesthetic appearance of the lips. Researchers consider lip fillers to be both safe and effective, and the majority of those surveyed were satisfied with how their results looked afterward.
Does it hurt to get lip filler?
Any procedure involving needles will cause some amount of discomfort, which is often related to the anxiety you experience. While most people don’t find the procedure intolerable, that also depends on your tolerance.
We’ll apply a topical numbing cream before any injectable, and both Juvederm and Restylane also contain lidocaine, an injectable medication used to reduce discomfort. We want your experience to be as pain-free and comfortable as we can make it — both during and after your treatment.
Is there anything I should be doing before my appointment?
To get the most out of your lip filler appointment and potentially minimize any side effects, there are a few things that you can do prior to your appointment to help.
For starters, we strongly recommend that you schedule your lip filler appointment at least two weeks away from any significant events — birthday parties, weddings, etc. Although your lips will likely be fully healed before then, giving yourself that extra wiggle room helps ensure that your lips look and feel their best for your special occasion.
In addition, we recommend avoiding any dental procedures in the two weeks before your appointment.
There are also certain foods and over-the-counter medications that are best to avoid both before and after your lip filler treatment. Alcohol, caffeine, foods high in sodium and sugar and spicy foods should be minimized or stopped entirely for 24 to 48 hours.
OTC medications that might increase your bleedign risk, like aspirin, vitamins A and E, and NSAIDs, should also be discontinued (with the approval of your physician) for three days to a week.
Keep in mind that people who are pregnant or breastfeeding are unable to get lip filler treatments. If you have an active rash or a history of cold sores, consult with your advanced practice provider, as you may need to reschedule or be prescribed an antiviral before your appointment.
What are the lip filler swelling stages?
Although everyone progresses and heals at different paces, depending on their body, immune system and medical history, people generally move through a few specific lip filler swelling stages. The main difference for post-lip filler procedure clients is how long they stay in each of those phases — this can vary, but here is a general timeline that you can expect.
Immediately after a lip filler procedure
After receiving lip filler, the most frequent complaints are redness and swelling at the injection sites. Many people also start to experience some discomfort as the numbing agent wears off — similar to a “bruise” on your lips.
The swelling is a common reaction to the “trauma” created by the punctures of the needles into the skin and the body reacting to having “foreign” material injected, even though those substances are primarily natural.
For most, redness and swelling don’t last more than just a few hours after leaving the office. If it has not mostly resolved within three to five days of your injections, please contact your medical provider.
Be aware that, due to the swelling, the lips may have an asymmetrical appearance. This asymmetry is temporary, but it may persist for up to a few weeks as the lips slowly settle into their new shape. Although it may be tempting, avoid massaging the lips to lower the filler’s risk into unintended areas.
To help minimize any side effects, avoid makeup and strenuous exercise the day of your procedure (and for 24 hours afterward). You will also want to avoid extensive sun exposure or heat for 72 hours.
DAY ONE
The first day after your injections, you will most likely wake up with the most extreme swelling that you will experience through the healing process. The upper lip area may seem to be projecting over the lower lip and appears to be significantly bigger.
This swelling is a normal part of lip filler swelling stages and the healing process and should begin to subside during the day. If your care provider instructed you to, you could also use cool compresses on the lips for 15 minutes at a time, once an hour.
In addition, sleeping on your back with your head slightly elevated can help reduce the swelling you experience when you wake up. At the very least, do everything you can to avoid rolling onto your stomach and sleeping on your face.
Not only will this be uncomfortable and likely wake you up, but you may also damage your filler and change the way that it sets.
If you are experiencing any tenderness or sensitivity (which is expected at this stage), Tylenol is often the most effective over-the-counter medication to help manage it.
DAY TWO
As you continue to progress through the lip filler swelling stages, day two is the stage where you will begin to notice the full effects of your treatment. Swelling will continue to subside and should be entirely gone after the first 48 hours.
Any discomfort or tenderness related to the injections should have subsided as well.
DAY THREE
The third day after your lip filler appointment is when you’ll start to get an idea of what your lips will look like. You should start to feel more comfortable as the swelling should be gone, and it should feel much more normal and comfortable eating and talking.
However, keep in mind that a learning curve is involved with essentially having “new” lips, so you may still notice a slight lisp or not feel the most graceful when eating or drinking.
TWO WEEKS
From week two on, you will notice a return to normalcy of your lips. While you may still see some mild, intermittent swelling, you shouldn’t have to pay much attention to your lips at all – which is a good thing!
By this point, you have hopefully also gotten used to the way they look and any changes with eating, drinking, or talking that you may have needed to make.
If you’ve made it two weeks and you feel comfortable, now is the time that it is safe for you to schedule any necessary dental procedures. You can also start having additional skin care treatments, like microdermabrasion, BBL photofacials and massages.
FOUR WEEKS
Once you’ve hit a month with your new lip filler, the lips you see when you look in the mirror are most likely your final results. If you are not entirely pleased with your results or feel like you’d like more filler in certain areas, now is the time to contact us and schedule a consultation.
We keep all syringes of your dermal filler for eight weeks following your injections so that we have it available in the event you need any touch-ups.
Swelling outside of the normal lip filler swelling stages timeline
Suppose you’re more than a month into the healing process and still noticing swelling. In that case, this is something that you should always take seriously.
In some cases, you might be going through something known as a late-onset inflammatory response. This reaction is more common in people who have undergone hyaluronic acid-based lip filler injections, like Juvederm and Restylane, but dermatologists still consider them to be “rare” complications.
Late-onset inflammatory response is self-limiting, meaning it usually resolves without treatment and can happen between 4 and 14 months after injection.
What can I do about swelling after getting lip filler?
Although some swelling after lip filler is normal, it’s important to know basic aftercare instructions so that swelling doesn’t last longer than it needs to.
Here are a few tips for lip filler aftercare:
Use a cold compress
Not only do cold compresses feel good when you use them on your swollen lips, but they can also help reduce your swelling and discomfort. Often, lip filler swelling is related to increased blood flow to the area — increased circulation is necessary for healing. Cold compresses can help slow down circulation and reduce the size of the blood vessels in the lips, thus reducing swelling and discomfort.
However, there is a “right” way to use a cold compress. Don’t apply an ice pack directly to your lips — while it may feel good in the short term, you can actually damage your skin and negatively impact your lip filler results.
Instead, use a cold pack inside of a sleeve or a clean washcloth. You’ll still get the benefits of the cold temperature without needing to put it directly onto your sensitive lips.
Use Tylenol
If your lip swelling gets uncomfortable enough that cold compresses aren’t helping, you may be tempted to turn to over-the-counter pain medication to manage it. Unfortunately, not every OTC pain med is helpful for post-lip treatment issues.
We recommend products with acetaminophen like Tylenol rather than ibuprofen, but check with your medical provider to make sure this medication is safe for you prior to using.
Hydrate
When healing from anything — cosmetic treatment or otherwise — hydration is crucial. The body needs plenty of H20 to heal itself as quickly as possible, so make sure to drink plenty of water before and after treatment.
However, you may want to avoid using a straw for a few days to minimize discomfort (and potentially reduce the risk of developing fine lines and wrinkles around your mouth!).
How long does lip filler last?
The type and amount of lip filler you receive will often dictate exactly how long your results last, as will your personal metabolism, but most people find their lip filler sticks around for 6-12 months post-treatment.
When compared to other injectable cosmetic treatments, that’s two to four times as long!
We also keep your syringes of lip filler for eight weeks after your appointment, just in case you need a little touch-up. We recommend waiting for at least two weeks before scheduling a touch-up appointment, as it can take at least this long for everything to “settle in.”
If you elect not to continue getting lip filler, and your lip filler “runs out,” your lips are likely to go back to the way they were before treatment. This change will happen gradually as your body processes the filler, and you can always elect to have additional filler placed later.
To wrap things up...
Are you ready to get lip filler and work with us to reveal the lip shapeand size you’ve always wanted? At Skin Pharm, we’re ready to schedule a consultation with you today and help you reach your aesthetic goals.
Now that you know the typical lip filler swelling stages, you can go into your appointment with a realistic view of what to expect, as well as an awareness of how to minimize side effects after your injections. We’re excited to meet you!
Peer review
This article was medically reviewed by Chelsie Rogers, PA-C, a board-certified physician assistant with 6 years of experience in cosmetic dermatology.
SOURCES:
ABCS | Injectable Dermal Fillers Guide
PubMed (nih.gov) | Effectiveness and safety of hyaluronic acid fillers used to enhance overall lip fullness: A systematic review of clinical studies
PubMed (nih.gov) | Late-Onset Inflammatory Response to Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers
