What are the most common lip fillers in the UK? What is the link between cold sores and lip fillers? How to treat cold sores after lip filler injections. The blog tends to explore the diverse views of how to treat cold sores associated with rare complications of lip filler injections by providing information to the above subheadings.
Lip fillers are cosmetic non-surgery procedures involving reshaping or enlarging human lips. Lip tissues tend to shrink while aging due to the low production of waxy substances such as hyaluronic acid and sebum. Therefore, most patients restore the volume of their lips with natural substances such as dermal fillers. The result of the latter can be either temporary or semi-permanent, where in most cases, it lasts for around 6 to 18 months. The lip filler treatment is considered safe for most patients, but it depends on the doctor’s qualification, body chemistry, or the type of lip filler. The most dangerous but rare complication associated with lip augmentation is the development of cold sores. However, they can be easily treated using home remedies and over-the-counter medications.
What Are the Most Common Types of Lip Fillers in the UK?
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers
The body’s mechanism produces its HA to maintain skin volume and hydration. Therefore, HA filler injections provide natural-looking lips that feel real. Walker et al. (2021) explained that HA fillers have minimal complications, such as small lumps and bruises that disappear after 48 hours of lip augmentation. McDonald &Knollinger (2019) stated that Hyaluronic acid lastsfor a maximum of 12 months and a minimum of 6 months, depending on the patient’s age, lifestyle, and body chemistry.
Collagen fillers
Collagen fillers arenatural dermal fillers consisting of body protein extracted from human cells. Shani (2019) showed that when collagen filler is injected into the lip tissues, it interacts with glands to produce enough watery substance to restore shrieked lip volume. Lin & Christen (2013) revealed that Collagen fillers last almost three years after the treatment.
Polyacrylamide (PA) Fillers
According to Wang et al. (2022), PA fillers are both natural and synthetic lip fillers that are injected to promote the internal production of collagen and hyaluronic acid to improve lip volume. Gao et al. (2022) showed that Polyacrylamide fillers last for around six months, characterized by large lumps, cold sores, itchy lips, and bruises that go down after proper lip massage.
What Is the Link Between Cold Sores and Lip Fillers?
Cold sores are caused by a virus that can be triggered by sunburn, wounds, fatigue, hormonal changes, stress, and a weak immune system. The virus is dormantin almost every patient and awakens in the presence of the above triggers.However, after filler treatment, cold sores can manifest in rashes. The cause of manifestation is due to a decrease in body immunity, probably because of poor interaction between the filler active ingredients with lip tissues or allergic reaction; therefore, it can be triggered with lip fillers injections in the form of reddish rashes around the injected area. Injectable lip treatments are considered safe with no long-term side effects. Ghasemi& Akbari (2022) showed that the lip filler process might cause minor complications, such as swellings and bruises treated with proper lip filler massages, and primarily disappear 48hours after the procedure. Although their occurrence is rare, it won’t hurt to be prepared.Cymrot& Natalia (2022) highlighted the following ways to prevent the occurrence of cold sores after hyaluronic acid injections:
- If a patient hasa history of getting herpes or cold sores, avoid or be cautious about joining lip filler.
- Access the strength of the immune system before venturing to lip augmentation. The weaker the immunity, the more prone a patient is to contract cold sores
- Practice pre-massage on lips before the injection. Most aesthetic practitioners advise their patients to try a lip pre-massage to heighten the healing process in case they contract Cold sores or swellings.
How to Treat Cold Sores after Lip Filler Injections
Vaghela et al. (2021) stated that bubbles containing clear fluid around the mouth show that a patient has contracted cold sores after lip augmentation. Unluckily, this virus cannot be completely treated, but its development and growth can be dimmed. Below are ways you can easily treat the brutality of cold sores:
Natural Aloe Vera
The antiviral properties of aloe vera can play a big role in fighting the herpes virus that causes rashes.
Applying Lemon Balm
Lemon’s antiviral effects can help reduce the redness and swellings associated with blisters caused by the herpes virus. Holcomb et al. (2020) advised that a patient should apply the balm after 48 hours of filler injections to avoid applying too much pressure on the delicate lips before fully reactingto augmentation products.
Over-The-Counter Medications
A patient can purchase products containing benzyl alcohol that helps alleviate the duration of cold sores. It reduces irritation as it also fights the virus.
Use of Sunscreen
This practice helps reduce the power of cold sores virus but also helps reduce any future flare-ups that can affect treated plump lips. High temperatures caused by sun radiations fasten the development of cold sores. Therefore, apply them whenever you want to be in the sun.
Reducing Stress
Stressing the body and mind fastens the development of cold sores. Therefore, lowering stress can aid in warding off herpes. Remember not to practice extensive exercises as a means to combat stress since it is known to affect the full pout of lip fillers.
Eating Food Rich In Vitamins C And E
Saifulazmi et al. (2022) showed that fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins could help inactivate the herpes virus that causes cold sores after lip treatment.
FrequentlyAsked Questions (FAQ) about Lip Fillers
Can I Have Oral Sex When Having Lip Filler Cold Sores?
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus,which is contagious. Therefore giving or receiving oral sex is not advisable since you can spread it to other body parts, including genitals, or your partner may develop cold sore rashes.
Does Toothpaste Help Cure Cold Sores Caused By Dermal Fillers?
After lip augmentation, apply toothpaste gently around your lip skin to minimize the effectiveness of cold sores. It is not a straightforward question since it depends on the toothpaste brand. Some toothpaste contains sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), essential in drying blisters caused by cold sores.
Conclusion
Lip filler injections are common in the UK and are associated with giving lips a plump,natural, and full look with little downtime. However, ensure the procedure is performed by a qualified or certified dermatologist or surgeon. In rare cases, one may develop cold sores by spreading reddish rashes. While the pain is associated with cold sores, a patient can contact a cosmetic doctor to prescribe pain-relieving and antiviral medications to help combat the complication. Fortunately, the blog has highlighted some home remedies like aloe Vera, lemon balm, and eating healthy to lessen the effectiveness of the herpes virus and prevent future flare-ups.
References
Saifulazmi, N. F., Rohani, E. R., Harun, S., Bunawan, H., Hamezah, H. S., Nor Muhammad, N. A., … &Sarian, M. N. (2022). A Review With Updated Perspectives On The Antiviral Potentials Of Traditional Medicinal Plants And Their Prospects In Antiviral Therapy. Life, 12(8), 1287.
Holcomb, J. D., Duncan, D., Lin, M., Mccoy, J. D., Gentile, R., Zimmerman, E., … &Delozier, J. B. (2020). Helium Plasma Dermal Resurfacing: Consensus Guidelines. Dermatological Reviews, 1(3), 97-107.
Ghasemi, S., & Akbari, Z. (2022). Lip Augmentation. Dental Clinics, 66(3), 431-442.
Gao, Q., Zhai, P., Qi, J., Yang, Z., Hu, Y., Yuan, X., … & Qi, Z. (2022). Breast Augmentation With Autologous Fat Grafting Immediately After Removal Of Polyacrylamide Hydrogel And Fibrotic Capsule In 162 Patients. Breast Care, 1-8.
Witmanowski, H., &Błochowiak, K. (2020). Another Face Of Dermal Fillers. Advances In Dermatology And Allergology/PostępyDermatologii I Alergologii, 37(5), 651-659.
Lin, S. L., & Christen, M. O. (2020). Polycaprolactone‐Based Dermal Filler Complications: A Retrospective Study Of 1111 Treatments. Journal Of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(8), 1907-1914.
Shani, T. (2019). Our Fatal Magic. MIT Press.
Walker, L., &Cetto, R. (2021). Lip Augmentation Using Hyaluronic Acid Filler And A 4-Mm Needle: A Safer, More Natural, And Predictable Approach. The Journal OfClinical And Aesthetic Dermatology, 14(1), E61.
Wang, Y., Bothwell, R. M., Hori, K., Clarkson, S., Blumstein, G., Park, H., … &Phillips, K. S. (2022). In Vitro And In Vivo Study Of Bacterial Colonization Of Hydrogel Dermal Fillers. Journal Of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials.
Cymrot, N. (2022). Lip Filler With Hyaluronic Acid-Lip Up.
Vaghela, D., Davies, E., Murray, G., Convery, C., &Walker, L. (2021). Guideline For TheManagement Herpes Simplex 1 And Cosmetic Interventions. The Journal OfClinical And Aesthetic Dermatology, 14(6 Suppl1), S11.
In today's world, people's eating and exercise patterns have changed, and it is often lifestyle that is the cause of many diet-related illnesses. I believe that each of us is unique – what works for one does not help another. What is more, it can even be harmful. I am interested in food psychology, which studies a person's relationship with their body and food, explains our choices and desires for specific products, the difficulty of maintaining optimal body weight, as well as the influence of various internal and external factors on appetite. I'm also an avid vintage car collector, and currently, I'm working on my 1993 W124 Mercedes. You may have stumbled upon articles I have been featured in, for example, in Cosmopolitan, Elle, Grazia, Women's Health, The Guardian, and others.
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