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What Are the Stages of Lip Filler Swelling?

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Many patients rely on lip filler treatment to get fuller lips, giving them a youthful-looking and more radiant appearance. One of the main reasons why one of the most preferred treatment options for lip enhancement is its convenience – it’s a minimally invasive option that only involves injections of dermal fillers into the lips. It offers shorter downtime and minimal risks, but you can still expect side effects like swelling.

So what are the stages of lip filler swelling? Patients experience swelling on their lips right after lip filler injections. This inflammation will become more severe the next day, where you may develop cold sores and an upper lip bigger than the lower lip. This symptom will go on until day 3, including the development of bumps and bruising. These side effects will start subsiding on day 4 and completely resolve after 2 weeks.

How Long Does Swelling Last After Lip Fillers?

Dermal filler lip injections enhance lip volume and smoothen fine lines and wrinkles, making it look fuller and more supple, even without facial plastic surgery. This cosmetic procedure is more convenient than facial plastic surgery due to having shorter downtime and fewer risks, but you may still expect side effects, like swelling. Swelling from getting lip filler injections to resolve completely after 2 weeks, but it will start subsiding 4 days after your treatment.

Side effects like swelling, bruising, and redness are normal reactions of the lips to the dermal filler injections, so you don’t have to worry about it. These symptoms won’t keep you from doing normal activities. Lip filler treatment may involve minimally invasive methods, but you can still expect adverse reactions.

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Stages of Lip Filler Swelling

Swelling is a normal reaction of your lips to dermal filler injections, but you may still want to know its progression from the day of the procedure. This allows you to observe your recovery more accurately, ensuring that your lips are healing normally. 

Swelling that shows up weeks to years post-treatment is one of the symptoms of most lip filler complications, although these are extremely rare conditions and happen only in inexperienced and unlicensed practitioners. The lip filler swelling stages you should look after are:

1) Lip Filler Swelling Right After Procedure

Your lips can start developing mild to moderate swelling minutes after receiving a lip filler injection. This swelling can appear a bit uneven or wonky. That’s why the plumpness of your lips right after the procedure still isn’t the final result, so you shouldn’t worry about it.

2) Lip Filler Swelling Day 1

The swelling on your lips will intensify the next day after your lip filler procedure – this swelling will peak during the first 2 days of your recovery. You’re also at heightened risk of developing fever blisters or cold sores. You may also notice that your upper lip appears bigger than your lower lip. Some patients also experience slight difficulties in eating or drinking.

Some patients also tend to feel anxious during this lip filler swelling stage because of the size of their lips. They also start assuming the worst from their lip enhancement treatment, but remember that this swelling will soon subside after a few days and get better. 

You may consult your plastic surgeon to ensure you’re healing well to reduce your anxiety. Ensure following aftercare instructions and avoid vigorous exercise or warm temperatures that may exacerbate the swelling. 

3) Lip Filler Swelling Day 2

The swelling will still be intense 2 days after your lip filler treatment. You may also notice some bumps and bruises, and your lips may feel more sensitive – these are also normal reactions to the dermal filler injections and shouldn’t be worried about.

4) Lip Filler Swelling Day 3

Your lips will still have some swelling, bruising, and bumps, but they’ll start showing signs of improvement at this stage. You must still follow the aftercare instructions advised by your plastic surgeon to ensure a smooth recovery. If the inflammation has worsened at this stage, you should consult your plastic surgeon or any healthcare provider immediately.

5) Lip Filler Swelling Day 4

The swelling on your lips starts subsiding significantly, and you may now be more comfortable eating and talking. The bruises and bumps will also show signs of recovery. You may also engage in vigorous exercises or consume alcoholic beverages at this stage, but you may want to consult your plastic surgeon first.

6) Lip Filler Swelling Day 5 to A Week

The swelling and other side effects from your procedure continue to get better, and you start seeing your final lip filler results. If symptoms persist after a week, you should book a lip filler appointment immediately for your practitioner to examine your lips.

7) Lip Filler Swelling After 2 Weeks

Swelling from your lip filler procedures usually lasts for 2 weeks. There might still be minimal swelling in some cases, but your lips should be significantly smaller than the first days of your recovery. The final results of your lip filler treatment become more evident.

After 4 weeks, the dermal fillers have already settled in your lips, and your plastic surgeon will assess them for size and symmetry. Patients wanting more lip volume can receive follow-up dermal filler injections during this period. Here’s a photo showing a treated area recovering from lip filler injections: 

Source: The Manse Clinic

Why You Experience Swelling After Lip Filler Procedure

Lip augmentation treatment with dermal fillers causes swelling, bruising, and other reactions due to the trauma your lips experience during the injection. The body develops swelling to increase blood supply to the treated area and promote healing.

Aside from this, these side effects are also the body’s reaction to the filler material. Hyaluronic acid is the most common dermal filler used for lip augmentation. This dermal filler type attracts water, which results in more swelling of the spaces around lip tissues.

How to Reduce Swelling and Other Side Effects from Lip Filler Injections

Swelling, bruising, redness, and bumps are some common side effects of lip augmentation with dermal fillers – these are your body’s natural reactions to the procedure. Some ways to manage these adverse reactions are:

  • Applying a cool compress for 4 to 6 hours after lip filler injections.
  • Taking Arnica for bruising.
  • Avoiding exposure to heat, such as sun exposure, sauna, and tanning bed for 2 weeks.
  • Avoiding manipulation of the treated area for 2 weeks.
  • Avoiding laser treatments, like laser hair removal, for a month.
  • Taking prescribed medications.
  • Avoiding taking NSAIDs, high-dose vitamin E, and other medications that may increase bleeding and bruising.
  • Avoiding strenuous exercises.

Get Lip Filler Injections from Highly-Trained Professionals at Ethos Spa

Lip fillers add plumpness to thin lips and remove fine lines and wrinkles, giving you a younger-looking and more radiant appearance. It’s a minimally invasive procedure, so you can expect a shorter downtime and minimal health risks. Side effects like swelling are normal reactions of your body to the procedure and should resolve within 2 weeks. You should seek a reliable practitioner who will ensure your recovery for successful results.

Ethos Spa is one of the most trusted medical spas in New Jersey, with advanced tools and techniques to promote the safest and smoothest recovery for patients having lip fillers. You can expect board-certified professionals to perform your treatment and observe your recovery period carefully, committed to providing successful results. Get fuller lips with dermal filler injections and book an appointment with us today.

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Ethos Aesthetics & Wellness

Looking for New Jersey’s best dermal fillers?
Contact us today for your filler appointment.

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