Swelling after lip fillers is normal and will last for a few days up to two weeks. Lip filler patients swell differently but swelling beyond two weeks is uncommon. This article explains how long the swelling from the lip filler procedure last.
Patients use lip fillers for cosmetic purposes to plump thin lips, improve lip volume due to volume wastage, and redefine lip lines. They opt to use lip fillers because they are temporal and long-lasting. Lips may become less prominent due to ageing or volume wastage due to medical conditions. Swelling is common with lip fillers, the body’s response to inflammation. After lip filler injection, the lips will swell for the next few days. Swelling differs from one person to another.
What are Lip Fillers?
Lip fillers are injectable gels injected into lip tissues for cosmetic purposes such as plumping thin lips, improving lip volume, and redefining lip lines. Lip fillers also help to fill scars, treat congenital anomalies, and smooth wrinkles around the lips. Cosmetic doctors or aesthetic practitioners do lip fillers.
Types of Lip Fillers
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a gooey, slippery substance found in joint areas, skin, and eyes; it helps smooth joint movement and hydrates the skin. Hyaluronic acid filler helps plump thin lips and improve volume.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite
Calcium hydroxylapatite is a mineral-like substance in bones and enamel that stimulates bone growth. Calcium hydroxylapatite filler is a biosynthetic product; this helps reduce the chances of allergic reactions.
Polylactic Acid
According to Christen & Vercesi (2020), polylactic acid filler dissolves into the body after injection to trigger collagen production; it does not have immediate results like other fillers. Results for polylactic acid are notable after two to three weeks after collagen production.
Polyalkylimide
Polyalkylimide filler is a semi-permanent filler that is less reactive to the body. Polyalkylimide filler is effective for plumping thin lips and improving volume. After injection, a collagen layer forms around the polyalkylimide filler. A single polyalkylimide delivers a large volume of the filler.
How Long Does Swelling Last After Lip Fillers?
After lip fillers, swelling starts after 24 hours, and it is highest at this time because the numbing is over. After 48 hours, the swelling will start to reduce. The swelling will gradually ease during the first week, and by the end of the second week,the swelling is completely subsided. Swelling longer than two weeks is uncommon, and you should see your cosmetic doctor immediately.
How to Reduce Swelling after Lip Fillers
- According to Ulakov et al. (2021), applying an anti-inflammatory cream carefully on the lips can reduce swelling. If the swelling becomes severe, ask the cosmetic doctor to suggest an anti-inflammatory pill you can take.
- Avoid eating spicy or salty foods after lip fillers; they can irritate the skin and cause more swelling.
- Avoid heat, sweating, and hot showers for 48 hours. Heat can increase blood flow to the lips, worsening the swelling. Sweating can introduce bacteria to the lips that might worsen the swelling. Limit your exercises to simple tasks like walking.
- Avoid alcohol and thinning medications before and after lip fillers. According to Ausen et al. (2022), thinning medications makes it hard for blood to clot, increasing bruising and swelling. You can take alcohol after 48 hours. If you are taking prescribed thinning medications, do not stop, butlet your doctor know.
- Avoid excreting pressure on the lips by applying lipstick, kissing, or smoking.
Benefits of Lip Fillers
Enhance Facial Features
Plumping thin lips, improving volume, redefining lip lines and borders, and smoothing wrinkles around lips can help to enhance the lips. Lips become less prominent due to ageing or medical conditions.
Have Minor Side Effects
Diwan et al. (2020) say lip fillers are safe; they have minor side effects like bruising, swelling, or slight pain. These side effects last for a few days. Complications like infection, allergic reaction, and asymmetry are rare. They can occur if inexperienced personnel do lip fillers. To minimise the chances of lip filler complications, do lip fillers in a hospital or clinic with a qualified and experienced cosmetic doctor or aesthetic practitioner.
Have No downtime
After lip fillers, one can notice the filler results. The lips will appear stiff and fuller. In other cosmetic procedures, it takes months to see the results. Lip fuller results improve as the fillers settle; this can take at least two to three weeks. During recovery, one can resume work.
Can Trigger Collagen Production
According to Deshmukh et al. (2016), collagen maintains skin structure; the skin starts to lose its structure forming wrinkles when collagen drops in the body—using lip filler with hyaluronic acid or polylactic acid triggers collagen production. The effect of collagen is noticeable after a few weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lip Fillers
Are Lip Fillers Painful?
Lip fillers are not painful, but you may initially feel some discomfort. Cosmetic doctors will use a numbing cream or an anaesthetic injection before injection.
Is Swelling More Than Two Weeks Normal?
Lip filler patients swell differently. Swelling for more than two weeks is uncommon. One should see their cosmetic doctor to assess the lip fillers and give a professional answer and measures one can use to aid the swelling.
How Long Do Lip Fillers Last?
Lip fillers last from six to 12 months, depending on the type of filler. Metabolism, lifestyle, and the amount injected will determine how long the fillers will last.
What Is the Cost of Lip Fillers in the UK?
Lip fillers in the UK cost £100 to £350 a syringe, depending on the type of filler. The price of lip fillers will depend on the cosmetic doctor, the number of injections, and the complexity of the injections.
Conclusion
Swelling after lip fillers is normal; the body is responding to inflammation. The swelling starts after the numbing effect has subdued. After 24hours, one will have maximum swelling; after 48 hours, swelling will start to drop. After two weeks, the swelling will be over. Swellingfor more than two weeks is uncommon, even though patients swell differently. One can reduce swelling by avoiding spicy food, heat, hot showers, and heavy exercise. Lip fillers enhance facial features by plumping thin lips, improving volume, and redefining lip lines and borders. Lip filler complications are rare.
References
Ausen, K., Fossmark, R., Spigset, O., & Pleym, H. (2022). Safety and efficacy of local tranexamic acid for preventing surgical bleeding in soft-tissue surgery: a review of the literature and recommendations for plastic surgery. Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 149(3), 774.
Christen, M. O., & Vercesi, F. (2020). Polycaprolactone: How a well-known and futuristic polymer has become an innovative collagen-stimulator in esthetics. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 13, 31.
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
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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.
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