Swelling is a normal side effect of lip filler injection that is more pronounced after 24 hours. However, it subsides after 48 hours. This article discusses the duration upon which swelling goes down and when to see a cosmetic doctor when the fillers fail to subside.
Lip fillers are mainly cosmetic; they help to restore lip volume, plump thin lips, and redefine lip lines and borders. Patients choose to do lip fillers to enhance their beauty and maintain a youthful look. When planning to do lip fillers, you should know what they can do to manage your expectations. For instance, you must recognize that swelling occurs after lip fillers and that fillers could give a less natural look; while swelling last for about 48 hours, certain post-treatment practices may prolong the swelling. Other side effects include bruising and slight pain, which disappear within a few days.
What are Lip Fillers?
Lip fillers are injectable gels used in cosmetic procedures to improve lip volume, plump thin lips, and redefine lip lines and borders. The fillers also mask scars and inborn asymmetries. Hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, polylactic acid, and polyalkylimide are the most common types of lip fillers.
How Long Does Swelling Last?
Swelling is the body’s natural response to inflammation. The extent of swelling differs from one client to another. After a lip filler injection, you may notice some slight swelling; after 24 hours, your lips will swell the most. The period after 48 hours will mark a significant decline in swelling. The swelling will gradually reduce and subside by the end of the first week. A swelling that lasts more than two weeks is uncommon; you should seek advice from your cosmetic doctor.
How to Reduce Swelling after Lip Fillers
Ulakov et al. (2021) stated that anti-inflammatory creams like arnica can reduce swelling. When applying the cream, be gentle to avoid pressure on the lips.
Also, avoid spicy and salty food for a few hours; they could irritate the lips and cause itching. Activities like heavy exercises, places like saunas, pleasures like kissing, and practices like taking hot showers could also compromise the lip fillers if done before 48 hours; heat increases blood flow to the lips worsening the swelling. On the other hand, sweating and kissing may cause dehydration and bacterial infection. After lip fillers, limit your exercises to light activities like walking.
Benefits of Lip Fillers
Have No Downtime
Lip fillers have immediate results; you do not wait for months to heal for you to notice the results. After lip fillers, you will see changes, such as fuller lips. The results gradually improve as the fillers settle; this can take two to three weeks.
Have Minimal Risks
Diwan et al. (2020) say lip fillers have minor side effects like swelling, bruising, and pain. Complications with lip fillers are rare but can occur when an unqualified or inexperienced cosmetic doctor does the lip fillers.
Enhances Facial Features
Lip fillers can enhance facial features like lips. Lip fillers plump thin lips making them more pronounced. Age or medical conditions can lead to facial wastages like volume loss and undefined lip lines.
Triggers Collagen Production
According to Deshmukh et al. (2016), collagen is crucial to the skin structure; loss of collagen can lead to wrinkling and skin sagging. You can notice the effect of collagen after a few weeks. According to Cabral et al. (2020), using hyaluronic or polylactic acid fillers can trigger collagen production.
How Long Do Lip Fillers Last?
Lip fillers can last from six months to a year, depending on the type of filler. Metabolism, lifestyle, amount of filler used, and place injected determine how long the filler will last. After a few months, the fillers will start to wear off. Activities like smoking speed up lip filler metabolism. Changing lifestyles, like quitting smoking and hydration more often, can increase the lifespan of fillers. You can also maintain lip fillers by redoing them after every few months. Lip fillers will reduce almost half after a few months, but the results are still the same.
Cost of Lip Fillers
The cost of lip fillers ranges from £100 to £350 per syringe, depending on the type of filler. The cost varies with cosmetic doctors based on their qualifications and experience. The number of injections and their complexity affect the price too. Medical covers do not insure cosmetic procedures. Lip fillers should be bought in hospitals or clinics even though they are more expensive than the ones sold online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lip Fillers
How Long Does Lip Filler Take to Settle?
Lip fillers take two to three weeks to settle. During recovery, you can resume work. You will also notice that your lip filler results are improving.
Can I Have a Natural Look with Lip Fillers?
It is common for your lips to appear stiff and fuller after lip fillers. As the fillers settle, your lips will look normal again. You should not overdo lip fillers to achieve an almost natural look.
Are Lip Fillers Painful?
Lip fillers are not painful, but you can initially experience some discomfort. Cosmetic doctors use numbing cream or anesthetic injections before administering the treatment to reduce discomfort.
Where Can I Do Lip Fillers?
You can do lip fillers in a hospital or clinic with a qualified and experienced cosmetic doctor. Specialists reduce the risks associated with the fillers and give a better treatment outcome.
Conclusion
Swelling after lip fillers is a common way for the body is responding to inflammation. Swelling is highest after 24 hours and gradually reduces after 48 hours. Swelling for more than two weeks is uncommon in lip fillers; if it happens, seek advice from your cosmetic doctor. After lip fillers, you can eat normally, but the foods should not be spicy, salty, or sugary. Lip fillers have minimal risks and no downtime, they enhance facial features, and they can trigger collagen production. Lip fillers last for six months to a year, depending on the type of filler.
References
Cabral, L. R. B., Teixeira, L. N., Gimenez, R. P., Demasi, A. P. D., de Brito Junior, R. B., de Araújo, V. C., & Martinez, E. F. (2020). Effect of hyaluronic acid and poly-l-lactic acid dermal fillers on collagen synthesis: An in vitro and in vivo study. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 13, 701
Diwan, Z., Trikha, S., Etemad-Shahidi, S., Alli, Z., Rennie, C., & Penny, A. (2020). A prospective study on safety, complications and satisfaction analysis for tear trough rejuvenation using hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 8(4).
Deshmukh, S. N., Dive, A. M., Moharil, R., & Munde, P. (2016). Enigmatic insight into collagen. Journal of oral and maxillofacial pathology: JOMFP, 20(2), 276.
Urakov, A., Urakova, N., Nikolenko, V., Belkharoeva, R., Achkasov, E., Kochurova, E., … & Sinelnikov, M. (2021). Current and emerging methods for treating haemoglobin-related cutaneous discolouration: A literature review. Heliyon, 7(1), e05954
GP
The work of a family doctor includes a wide range of clinical diversity, which requires extensive knowledge and erudition from a specialist. However, I believe that the most important thing for a family doctor is to be human because the cooperation and understanding between the doctor and the patient are crucial in ensuring successful health care. On my days off, I love being in nature. Since childhood, I have been passionate about playing chess and tennis. Whenever I have time off, I enjoy traveling around the world.
- Lip Fillers, Anti-Wrinkle Injections in Albury Heath GU5 - February 19, 2024
- Can You Have Hyaluronic Acid Fillers When Pregnant - October 4, 2023
- How Much Are Lip Fillers London - September 27, 2023