Our lips get thinner as we age because of a decrease in the production of new collagen and elastin molecules. Lip fillers are a popular cosmetic procedure that gives your lips softer and natural-looking fuller lips. If you are thinking of getting a lip filler procedure but you are not sure what to expect, we have the answers for you!
Expect to be swollen for a couple of days up to 2 weeks after getting a lip filler procedure. The lips swell because the body is reacting to the substance that is injected into the lips.
Men and women get lip fillers several times as it is a low-risk treatment to get fuller, kissable lips! If you are wondering how long your lips are swollen after filler, this article will tell you all about what to expect when getting a lip filler. We will also include several ways to help reduce swollen lips after getting lip fillers.
How Does Lip Filler Work?
Lip filler, or lip augmentation, is a cosmetic procedure that adds volume to your lips. Several ingredients like Hyaluronic acid, collagen, Poly-L-Lactic acid, and calcium hydroxyapatite are used to make lip fillers. These substances are injected into the lips to make them look fuller.
Aside from giving your lips more definition, lip fillers can also reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles around your lips. This procedure is very popular and hyaluronic acid fillers are considered a safe and effective treatment [1] for those who want fuller lips.
Lip filler procedures will vary depending on your facial structure and the doctor will inject a needle with lip filler substance to create volume to the lips. A topical anesthetic is applied to your lips before the procedure. This makes the process as comfortable as possible without causing you any pain. Lip filler injections can vary from 0.5 mL to 1 mL.
What Causes Lip Filler Swelling?
Lip filler procedures are typically low-risk treatments, but they do have some side effects should you plan on having them done.
One of the common side effects of getting lip fillers is swelling of the lips. The lips are injected with hyaluronic acid filler and this attracts water to the lips making the tissue spaces in that area swell. The repeated injections on the lips also cause them to swell.
Swelling is a reaction of the body and it increases the blood supply to the lips in order for them to heal. When lip swelling occurs a few months after a lip filler procedure, this could be a cause of a late-onset inflammatory response to hyaluronic acid.
Another cause of delayed swelling could be edema which occurs when there is excess water building up in the body’s cells or tissues. Delayed-onset inflammatory nodules, or lumps, can also present at least a couple of weeks to over a year after the lip filler treatment [2]. Although, it is not common to have delayed-onset inflammatory nodules when having lip filler procedures [3].
How Much Swelling Is Normal After Having Lip Fillers?
It is common for your lips to swell after getting a lip filler treatment. In fact, swelling is expected when getting your lips injected with hyaluronic acid filler. Swelling and bruising of the lips will increase after a procedure and it is totally normal.
The amount of swelling will depend on your body’s reactions to injections and how many injections were done. If you think that the swelling of your lips is excessive, you should contact your injector about your concerns.
How Long Are Lips Swollen After Filler
As we said earlier, swelling is normal after a lip filler procedure. This is because the body is reacting to the injected substance. Swelling typically lasts anywhere between a couple of days to about 2 weeks. It will depend on how your body reacts to the injection.
The first couple of hours after the procedure will have your lips very swollen and it should go down in 2 to 3 days. Bruising is also normal when getting your lips filled. It can also take a couple of days for the bruising to fade.
Your lips should be settled down after 14 days. If your lips are still swollen after 2 weeks, you should contact your injector about the probable cause of the swelling. Your injector and/or nurses should tell you how much swelling you should expect and how long it will take for the swelling to come down.
What Helps to Reduce Swelling After Lip Fillers?
While swelling is normal in lip filler procedures, it does not hurt to manage the swelling of your lips. There are several ways you can do to help reduce the swelling of your lips.
Apply Ice
Using something cold such as an ice pack, frozen vegetables, or just regular ice can help reduce the swelling of your lips. Ice, or something frozen, decreases circulation in the swollen area. Don’t directly apply the ice pack (or frozen vegetables and ice) on your lips as it can stick to them and cause pain. Wrap the ice pack in a towel for a layer of protection. You can place the ice pack on your lips for 10 to 15 minutes a couple of times a day after your procedure.
Avoid Doing Strenuous Exercise
Exercising increases our body’s blood flow and temperature which can affect the healing process of your lips. After getting lip fillers, you should wait at least 24 to 48 hours before starting any strenuous activities such as going to the gym, swimming, skiing, and other activities that might put pressure on your face. Strenuous activities can increase swelling, and bruising, and even pose a risk of infection.
Avoid Excessive Use Of Your Lips
Since your lips will be swollen and bruised after getting lip fillers, it is best to avoid using them excessively while it is still healing. Yes, you can eat after the procedure but try not to eat messy or hard-to-eat foods.
Keeping your lips clean is essential so you can avoid wiping your lips while you eat. Using a straw is also a no-no as it can put pressure on your lips. You also want to avoid putting on lipstick, lip balm, puckering your lips, and even kissing for a few days after getting a lip filler procedure.
Make Sure To Stay Hydrated
While you should not use your lips excessively after getting a lip filler, it is important to stay hydrated while you are recovering. Hyaluronic acid attracts water as they are hydrophilic so it is important to drink water and stay hydrated to give your lips a healthier look.
Use Arnica Gel
Arnica gel can help in reducing post-filler swelling and bruising of the lips. Topical arnica gel has anti-inflammatory properties and can be applied to the lips to reduce swelling and bruising. Arnica gel can also help chapped lips.
Avoid Blood Thinning Substances
After getting a lip filler procedure, don’t take blood-thinning substances such as aspirin, Advil, alcoholic beverages, and coffee. Taking blood-thinning substances after a procedure can contribute to additional bruising and swelling. You don’t want this to happen during your recovery process.
Follow Your Doctor’s Post-Treatment Instructions
The most important thing to do after getting your lips filled is to follow your injector’s post-treatment or after-care instructions. They know best and will provide you with the knowledge that you need in order to have a healthy recovery process. Your doctor will probably recommend what we have already said but, there may be more actions that they can suggest to help you reduce the swelling of your lips.
Wrap Up
Lip fillers are a great way to have fuller lips without getting a surgical procedure. Hyaluronic acid fillers are injected into your lips to give it more volume. Expect to have your lips swell for up to 2 weeks after a lip filler procedure.
If you’re thinking about getting your lips filled, you should also learn about how long fillers like juvaderm last. If you have any questions, let us know via the contact form on our website!