Skip to Content

How Long Does It Take For Lip Fillers To Heal? Proven Tips To Reduce Swelling After Injections

Sharing is caring!

How long does it take for lip fillers to heal and how to speed up the process? Check this post for expert tips on everything you need to know about lip filler aftercare.

Lip augmentation, a cosmetic procedure designed to increase the size of your lips, is one of the most common forms of plastic surgery. It is becoming more and more popular in aesthetic treatments. They magically reduce the fine lines on our lips, make the lip shapes more suitable with our facial features, and boost our confidence with subtle results, especially for a big event.

However, although many people have taken lip fillers, there are still many people who do not know whether they are suitable for lip fillers, nor do they know what to pay attention to, especially after lip fillers.

In fact, although the technology of this medical procedure is becoming more and more advanced, and the fillers used are getting better and better, the more you know about the lip fillers, not only the type of filler but also how to take care of your lips after the injection, the more the plastic surgeon can help to get the most suitable plump lips and show more beauty of yourself.

One thing to remind is, from my previous experience with lip fillers, lip fillers may be very painful. I had tears in my eyes the first time I had lip fillers. I didn’t like my thin lips and desired fuller lips, so I tried the upper lip fillers that time, but I still felt sore and severe pain that night. Luckily, I was quite satisfied with the effect.

So you must be mentally prepared. Generally, lip filler treatment is an easy procedure and dermal fillers are not painful however some areas like the lips can be more sensitive even with the numbing agent in the injection process. If you are really afraid of pain, I suggest you not try it.

But if you’ve already had lip augmentation surgery, congratulations on taking the brave step! You are still worried about why the lips look worse the next day and how long it takes for lip fillers to heal? Don’t worry! Normally, a lip filler procedure is safe, but since it is an injectable treatment, our body does undergo a small healing process around the injection site, and it is normal and temporary.

So we suggest you follow the expert lip filler aftercare practices to complete your treatment plan and speed up the process of minimizing swelling to see your desired lips and the best results as soon as possible.

In today’s post, we will share with you the problems that may be encountered about lip filler aftercare, and what precautions should be taken for the next couple of days after the lip injection treatment to obtain early access to an aesthetic shape of your lips.

How long does it take for lip fillers to heal

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure here.

This post is all about how long does it take for lip fillers to heal and how to fast the process to get the optimal results soon.

 

How long does it take for lip fillers to heal?

While the common side effects associated with lip injections are few and the recovery time is very quick, you may experience some temporary soreness, redness, bruising, or swelling in the area immediately after the injection.

Usually, there will be mild swelling and redness on the lips after injection, which will start to subside in 72 hours, and the swelling will disappear in about 7 days, and the lips will gradually soften. Lip swelling is worst on the first day after the injection, especially in the morning. Swelling should subside within 2-3 days of lip filler treatment and should subside completely within 2 weeks of treatment.

If you experience swelling in the treated area, don’t worry! Swelling after is completely normal, and it’s only temporary.

For me, the swelling disappeared within two or three days. But this depends on the rate of metabolism, the level of swelling, and the amount of filler. Once the swelling subsides, you can get the lips you love.

However, when it comes to metabolism, don’t think that after the operation, you will run to exercise in order to speed up the metabolism. We’ll talk about why you can’t exercise later.

So what are the safe and effective ways to help you reduce swelling faster?

 

How To Reduce Swelling After Lip Fillers: 15 Tips That Really Help

 

1. Applying ice.

After receiving lip filler injections, applying ice to the lip area is one of the first things you can do to control the swelling.

Wrap an ice pack in a towel or apply a cold compress gently to your lips. This way it doesn’t stick to the lips and cause pain. This will help relieve swelling, itching, bruising and any other pain.

Be sure to use a soft cloth and don’t use anything that sticks to your lips as this can aggravate the discomfort.

 

2. Use of medication:

If you feel the need to take any pain medication, please consult your doctor. Tylenol is generally recommended. Over-the-counter antihistamines may also help reduce swelling.

If you have bruises at the injection site, applying aloe vera, vitamin K, or arnica cream to the target area may help.

It is recommended that you consult your medical professionals for medical advice before using these.

There are some medicines we do not recommend, such as ibuprofen, Motrin or aspirin. These medications are blood thinners, which can interfere with the healing process and increase the risk of bruising.

 

3. Drink more water and eat more fruits and vegetables.

It is recommended that you drink more water and eat more healthy fruits and vegetables after the injection. Staying hydrated and eating well can help your body heal.

Avoid very salty or spicy foods, and hard foods as these can irritate the lips. You also need to try to avoid excess sodium, which can worsen swelling.

 

4. Sleep with your head elevated.

At night, we recommend that you sleep with your head raised. This reduces blood flow and fluid retention in the area. Avoid sleeping on your face.

 

5. Avoid strenuous exercise.

Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 to 48 hours after using a lip or any other dermal filler. Because increased physical activity and the heat of a post-workout bath can increase your heart rate and blood pressure to the area, exacerbating any swelling, bruising, or discomfort.

At the same time, profuse sweating can introduce bacteria into the lip area and increase the risk of infection at the injection site. Sweating can also lead to dehydration, so be sure to drink plenty of water to replenish any fluids.

If you must exercise within a day or two after a lip filler, try to stick to walking or other light activities. Alternatively, you can try to exercise or other normal activities early in the morning, late at night, or in an air-conditioned climate, rather than in hot places.

 

6. Avoid high temperatures.

Such as steam rooms, saunas, or heated exercise classes, for 48 hours after treatment. High temperatures can make swelling more pronounced.

 

Other precautions after lip fillers?

 

7. Try not to touch your lips

One week after lip fillers, try not to touch your lips when eating, and avoid eating too cold or hot food, which will accelerate the loss of hyaluronic acid.

 

8. Don’t massage on the treatment area.

After lip fillers, continue to adhere to the general basic maintenance procedures and do not massage on the treatment area.

 

9. Do not do exaggerated movements on the lips.

Such as laughing.

 

10. Stop smoking.

People who have the habit of smoking must stop smoking before the wound recovers, which is not conducive to the recovery of the wound.

 

11. Don’t fly.

We recommend that you wait at least a week after treatment before flying. This is because the air pressure on a plane can make swelling and bruising even worse.

 

12. Allow more time for recovery.

If you are going to have a lip filler for a specific activity or an important event, make sure to allow enough time between the procedure and the activity to allow your lips to recover properly.

 

13. Avoid putting makeup on your lips right after the treatment.

Be sure to keep the injection area very clean to avoid any risk of infection. Also, you need to keep your face clean and stick to a gentle skin care routine.

Avoid wearing lipstick and other makeup around your lips until they have healed.

If you must apply any type of lip product within 48 hours of your lip filler, be sure to use only new, cleansed products and apply the product very gently.

And remember to clean your lips as soon as possible after using lip products, don’t let lip products stay on your lips for too long.

 

14. Avoid kissing.

I know it may be hard, but it is highly important to allow your body to rest and heal after lip filler treatment. Therefore, it is recommended that you avoid activities such as kissing for 48 hours after receiving a lip injection.

Kissing puts a lot of pressure on your lips, causing pain, swelling, and bruising.

Additionally, kissing increases the risk of infection by introducing bacteria into the injection site. So, please avoid kissing! And after your lips heal, you can get kissable lips again.

 

15. Avoid alcohol.

Alcohol is a type of blood thinner, so you should avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours after a lip filler.

Plus, alcohol can cause inflammation, increase the likelihood of bruising, and make swelling worse.

We also recommend that it is also a good idea to avoid alcohol for a few days before your lip fillers procedure.

 

A reminder: After completing the operation, consult the doctor in time for the precautions. Immediate and routine follow-up appointment after the dermal filler treatment is not necessary. However, if you are anxious about the considerable swelling and concerned about the outcome, especially if it is your first time to have lip fillers, you are recommended to schedule a routine follow-up.

 

Side Effects Of Lip Fillers And What To Do To Reduce The Potential Risks

On the whole, the incidence of complications of hyaluronic acid lip fillers is very low. Let’s talk about some common situations.

 

1. Lip pain, swelling, bruising, redness

Due to injection puncture injury, product injection too fast, local massage after injection and other factors, resulting in transient post-injection pain, swelling and redness at the lip injection site, which almost occurs in most cases.

The red lips have loose tissue and rich blood supply and are prone to swelling and bruising after injection and massage. Especially when larger blood vessels are punctured by the needle being used to inject the fillers into the lips, bruising will appear.

What To Do:

Most of the pain, swelling, and redness will subside within a few hours to 2 days.

Initial treatment like ice application before and after injection can reduce the incidence and extent to a certain extent.

Strenuous exercise, alcohol consumption, and prolonged sun and heat exposure should be avoided after injection.

If the swelling is very severe or lasts for a long time, after excluding other causes such as infection, symptomatic treatment with related drugs can be used under the guidance of a doctor.

If bruises appear on the lips after injection, cold compresses can be applied on the first day (hot compresses are not recommended, otherwise the absorption of hyaluronic acid will be accelerated).

The bruises generally take several days to 2 weeks to gradually absorb, and most of them do not leave any traces after absorption.

 

2. Lip pain, warmth, limited touch and motor function

After the injection, due to the swelling of the injection site and the anesthetic contained in the filler, there will be transient symptoms, such as a decrease in the temperature of external objects, insensitivity to the touch of the lips, restricted lip closure, drooling, slurred speech, etc.

Usually they will gradually recover within a few hours without additional treatment.

What To Do:

Pay attention to prevent frostbite when applying ice, and prepare gauze or tissue to wipe the saliva that may flow out.

 

3. Lip vascular occlusion and tissue necrosis

This is a rare but very serious complication. Early ischemia usually presents with a pale, painful labial surface, and late stage pain, erosions, and ulcers.

The risk is related to sharp needle injection, excessive injection volume, and excessive pressure.

What To Do:

Doctors should be familiar with the anatomy of the lips, and should try to avoid injections in dangerous areas. Although the red lip collateral circulation is abundant, the probability of embolism is extremely small, but it should not be taken carelessly.

If symptoms are not relieved significantly, local injection of hyaluronidase can be considered. Perform local massage every day as directed by your doctor until the blood supply improves, and use related drugs if necessary.

Also consider anti-infective and anti-viral therapy to prevent secondary bacterial or viral infections.

 

4. Allergic reaction

Allergens may be bacterial or animal-derived proteins remaining in the manufacture of injectable products.

If you have a history of allergy to hyaluronic acid, immediate allergic reactions may occur after re-injection of hyaluronic acid fillers.

The main manifestations are extensive skin congestion, edema, erythema, itching, pain, etc. Severe systemic reactions may cause shock.

What To Do:

Before injection, the doctor needs to ask the medical history carefully. If there is a history of allergy to hyaluronic acid, it is recommended to avoid injection. If allergic symptoms occur, timely symptomatic treatment is required.

 

5. Bacterial or viral infection

The lip tissue has a rich blood supply, and injection of fillers rarely causes infection.

Relatively common viral infections can manifest as local discomfort, round ulcers, a pale yellow membrane covering the surface, and enlarged mandibular lymph nodes, which usually appear within 24 to 48 hours after injection.

In addition, due to the large amount of bacteria in the oral cavity, bacterial infection may also occur after injection of fillers, mainly manifested as pain, nodules, edema or abscesses caused by inflammatory stimulation.

What To Do:

If symptoms of infection appear, symptomatic anti-infective treatment should be given in time.

 

6. Cold sores

If you have a history of a herpes outbreak after receiving dermal fillers in the past, dermal fillers can trigger outbreaks, which may require antiviral treatment.

You’d better discuss it with your doctor before the treatment about the cold scores or herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1).

 

Lip filler injection with hyaluronic acid injection is a safe and effective non-invasive treatment. If you choose a regular professional clinic and the operation is performed by an experienced professional doctor, you will get good results, and there are few adverse complications that are difficult to recover, and even if it appears, it will also be treated effectively in the first time. So the important thing is to choose a formal institute to have lip injections.

 

FAQ:

 

1. What are the different types of the most popular dermal fillers?

Lip augmentation surgery includes permanent and temporary lip injection options. We recommend that you try the temporary lip injection option first, just in case you want to keep it the way it is. And to make sure your cosmetic treatments, you need to choose the dermal filler injections approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Types of fillers that are approved by the FDA include hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads suspended in bovine (cow) collagen.

  • Hyaluronic acid filler

Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers create a fuller and more pronounced pout instantly while achieving the desired fullness in 3 to 4 days. This is a temporary lip augmentation, but its effects will last for about six months.

HA fillers are used to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, as well as create fuller lips. In addition to lip augmentation, they can also be used to fill tear troughs and more. Juvederm is one of the most popular HA lip fillers, and the two most popular Juvederm product types are Juvederm Ultra XC and Juvederm Volbella XC. Juvederm Ultra XC is designed for lip augmentation. Juvederm Volbella XC is used for vertical lip lines, as well as slight volume to the lips.

HA lip fillers are the most popular, and one of the most important reasons is that if you don’t like the end result, you can massage your injection site to speed up its absorption and the result will go away. Or you can inject hyaluronidase, which breaks down and dissolves HA lip fillers. This applies to virtually any HA injection on the face.

In addition, hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that can occur naturally in the body. Therefore, HA lip fillers are safer.

Moreover, Hyaluronic Acid has a molecular structure that makes it prone to bonding with water molecules, boosting moisture retention in the body, and clinical studies have also proven that it has significant collagen stimulation to the body’s natural collagen production.

 

2. When will the injection achieve the final results?

You’ll see immediate results with lip fillers, but there may be swelling and once it goes down, you will find the result not quite as pronounced. Normally it takes about 4 weeks for the filler to settle in and you will see the final look.

 

3. How long can hyaluronic acid lip plump last?

Injecting hyaluronic acid for lip fillers is a very effective method, but because it will be absorbed and degraded by the human body, the effect usually lasts between 6-12 months.

In daily life, the lips are the most active parts except for the eyes. Eating, speaking, and kissing lead to faster absorption of hyaluronic acid.

Therefore, many women come to reapply for a few months to keep their lips plump. However, there are also some women who are properly maintained and take the treatment again after a year.

To keep the lips plump, it is better to give a second injection before the last injection of hyaluronic acid is fully absorbed.

If this is your first lip filler and you are still wondering how much filler you need, we suggest you start with a small dose, or upper or lower lip only, so that you can gradually increase the dose as you get used to it. At the same time, it is easier to adjust if you are not satisfied with the result.

 

4. After hyaluronic acid lip fillers, will it make kissing uncomfortable?

This question is a question that almost all women who receive lip fillers will ask. The best thing is, hyaluronic acid will not reduce the sensitivity of the lips after lip fillers! And the touch on the big lips will be upgraded. The lip filler will definitely not affect it!

This post was all about how long does it take for lip fillers to heal and how to fast the process.

 

About The Author

Tracy is an experienced personal stylist, shopping expert, and fashion & lifestyle blogger. She has been featured on Time Magazine, Bustle, Best Life, Glam, The Zoe Report, Mic, and GOBankingRates, for her insights on fashion, beauty, home decor, and lifestyle. Read More

 

Follow our Pinterest for daily fashion and lifestyle inspiration.

 

Related Posts:

Sharing is caring!