After Lip Filler: Recovery, What to Watch For and Possible Risks
Lip filler is a procedure that aims to add volume and shape to the lips, usually with fillers containing hyaluronic acid. Although the procedure itself is short, the period afterwards is an important part of both the result and safety. This article explains what to expect after lip filler and what to pay attention to.
What to Expect After the Procedure
- Swelling of the lips is common; it may be more noticeable in the first days and usually decreases within a few days.
- There may be bruising and tenderness at the injection points.
- The filler may feel slightly firm or uneven in the first days; this feeling usually passes as the swelling goes down.
- Once the swelling has settled, the result can be assessed more clearly; your doctor may want to see you again for a check-up.
What to Pay Attention to in the First Days
- Avoid pressing on or rubbing your lips, and do not massage them unless your doctor recommends it.
- If you use cold for swelling, do not put ice directly on the lips; wrap it in a clean cloth and apply it for short periods.
- Ask your doctor when you can use lipstick and other lip products.
- Wait for the period recommended by your doctor before intense exercise, saunas, steam baths and very hot environments.
- Avoid very hot food and drinks, and be careful with your lips when brushing your teeth.
- Smoking and alcohol can affect healing; ask your doctor when they can be used.
- If you are planning dental treatment, discuss the timing with your doctor.
Do not stop blood-thinning or other regular medicines without asking your doctor; tell the doctor performing the procedure about them beforehand.
If You Have Had Cold Sores
In people who have had cold sores before, cold sores may reappear after lip filler. If you have a history of cold sores, tell your doctor before the procedure; the doctor may recommend preventive treatment if necessary. If there is an active cold sore or infection on the lip, the procedure is postponed.
How Long Does Lip Filler Last?
Fillers containing hyaluronic acid are broken down by the body over time, so the result is temporary. Because the lips are constantly moving, how long it lasts varies from person to person. The filler used, the amount injected and the person's tissue structure affect this. To maintain the result, the filler can be repeated at intervals.
Possible Risks
The risks that may occur after lip filler include:
- Prolonged swelling or bruising
- Lumps, irregularity or asymmetry
- Infection or cold sores
- Allergic reaction
- Blockage of a blood vessel by the filler
Fillers containing hyaluronic acid can be dissolved when necessary with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. For this reason it is important that the procedure is performed by a doctor who can act immediately if a problem occurs.
Which Symptoms Need Immediate Medical Attention?
- Increasing or severe pain
- Whitening, purplish or mottled discolouration of the lip or the surrounding skin
- Fever, increasing redness, warmth or discharge
- Any change in vision
If you notice these symptoms, contact the doctor who performed the procedure or the nearest emergency department without delay. For more information about lip filler you can visit our lip filler page.
Author: Op. Dr. Yücel Sarıaltın