How Long Does Lip Filler Swelling Last?
“How long does lip filler swelling last?” It’s natural to have questions like this when trying lip fillers for the first time. Whether you have thin, lopsided, or wrinkled lips, fillers can make a huge difference in your appearance. They’re extremely popular because they’re effective, safe, and provide customizable results. Plus, they’re not permanent, which can be very comforting to anyone trying them for the first time. If you don’t fall in love with your new lips, you can rest assured they’ll return to normal in a matter of months (typically between 12 to 18 months).
If you’re getting ready to receive lip fillers for the first time, you’re probably wondering what lip filler aftercare is like. Learn more about what to expect after your treatment and how to minimize your symptoms while maximizing your results.
Why Do Lip Fillers Cause Swelling?
Lip fillers are cosmetic injectables that plump and volumize the lips. As a result, wrinkles fade away, and narrow lips become full and gorgeous. Many people also rely on lip fillers to help them obtain a more symmetrical pout. However, fillers can cause swelling. Why?
Well, it’s simple, really. You can expect swelling whenever you inject a foreign substance into the body. Think about how you go to the doctor every time you get a shot. You experience a degree of swelling around the injection site, right?
The same can be said for lip fillers. During treatment, a substance—usually hyaluronic acid (HA)—is injected into the lips. While this is a natural, hydrating substance that the body produces, it is still seen as foreign to the body. Also, during the injections, your injection specialists will squeeze and rub your lips to help ensure proper filler distribution. Mix all of that together, and it’s easy to see why swelling occurs after fillers.
How Long Does Lip Filler Swelling Last?
After lip filler injections, your lips will likely swell and become quite tender. But how long does lip filler swelling last, and will it interfere with your daily life and responsibilities? Everyone is different, so don’t expect your experience to be exactly like your best friend’s. However, most people experience swelling to some degree for the first two weeks after treatment.
To help you visualize what to expect, we have put together a detailed timeline:
What Are the Stages of Lip Filler Swelling?
Different people heal from aesthetic treatments at different rates. This also means they may experience swelling differently. However, most people can expect to experience the following timeline for lip filler swelling stages:
Days 1-4
Day one is your treatment day, during which your provider injects targeted areas of your lip with filler to obtain your desired aesthetic results. Immediately after treatment, your lips may look quite large and awkward. You may notice pinpoints of redness at the injection sites. The treated area will also feel tender to the touch.
As part of your aftercare for lip fillers, your provider will instruct you not to engage in any strenuous physical activities for at least a few days. You should also avoid drinking from straws, kissing, and putting any unnecessary pressure on your lips. Eat foods that you can easily consume without opening your mouth wide. Sorry, double cheeseburgers are out of the question for now. Your goal should be to leave your lips alone so they can heal as quickly as possible.
Inflammation may continue for the first four days after treatment. Don’t worry if you think your new pout looks a little too dramatic during this time. Remember, the swelling hasn’t gone down yet and you won’t see the final results of your treatment during this stage of the healing process.
As part of your lip injection aftercare schedule, your provider will likely advise you to gently apply clean cold compresses for up to 15 minutes at a time throughout the day. Make sure you only touch your lips very lightly with the compresses. You should also sleep with your head slightly elevated and avoid laying down on your face. Many people choose to sleep in a recliner for the first few days because it prevents unwanted pressure on the lips and may also reduce swelling.
By the time you reach day four, you may notice some bruising. Your lips may also feel slightly bumpy to the touch, though they shouldn’t look bumpy. By day four, your swelling should be much more manageable.
Days 1-4
Day one is your treatment day, during which your provider injects targeted areas of your lip with filler to obtain your desired aesthetic results. Immediately after treatment, your lips may look quite large and awkward. You may notice pinpoints of redness at the injection sites. The treated area will also feel tender to the touch.
As part of your aftercare for lip fillers, your provider will instruct you not to engage in any strenuous physical activities for at least a few days. You should also avoid drinking from straws, kissing, and putting any unnecessary pressure on your lips. Eat foods that you can easily consume without opening your mouth wide. Sorry, double cheeseburgers are out of the question for now. Your goal should be to leave your lips alone so they can heal as quickly as possible.
Inflammation may continue for the first four days after treatment. Don’t worry if you think your new pout looks a little too dramatic during this time. Remember, the swelling hasn’t gone down yet and you won’t see the final results of your treatment during this stage of the healing process.
As part of your lip injection aftercare schedule, your provider will likely advise you to gently apply clean cold compresses for up to 15 minutes at a time throughout the day. Make sure you only touch your lips very lightly with the compresses. You should also sleep with your head slightly elevated and avoid laying down on your face. Many people choose to sleep in a recliner for the first few days because it prevents unwanted pressure on the lips and may also reduce swelling.
By the time you reach day four, you may notice some bruising. Your lips may also feel slightly bumpy to the touch, though they shouldn’t look bumpy. By day four, your swelling should be much more manageable.
Days 5-7
Most people notice a marked decrease in swelling on days five through seven after treatment. This is typically when the true shape of your lips starts to become apparent. Watching your new and improved pout begin to reveal itself can be exciting.
Your lips may still feel a bit tight during this stage of recovery. You can aid your body’s healing processes by following your provider’s lip filler aftercare instructions. In particular, avoid spicy or hot foods and drinks for two weeks following treatment. You may receive approval to resume slightly strenuous physical activities by day five.
Days 5-7
Most people notice a marked decrease in swelling on days five through seven after treatment. This is typically when the true shape of your lips starts to become apparent. Watching your new and improved pout begin to reveal itself can be exciting.
Your lips may still feel a bit tight during this stage of recovery. You can aid your body’s healing processes by following your provider’s lip filler aftercare instructions. In particular, avoid spicy or hot foods and drinks for two weeks following treatment. You may receive approval to resume slightly strenuous physical activities by day five.
Day 14
Most people feel amazing by day 14. There should be minimal swelling in treated areas by this point in the recovery process. You also shouldn’t see any bruising whatsoever. If you do, give your provider a call. Two weeks after treatment is the ideal time to return for a follow-up appointment. During the appointment, your injector will look at your lips and ensure they’re healing as expected.
If they notice any problems, like lumps or bruising, they’ll plan to resolve them. However, they’ll probably wait a couple more weeks before doing anything. This will give lumps, bumps, and other complications a chance to resolve on their own. If they don’t, your provider may dissolve some of the filler or massage the bumps away.
Day 14
Most people feel amazing by day 14. There should be minimal swelling in treated areas by this point in the recovery process. You also shouldn’t see any bruising whatsoever. If you do, give your provider a call. Two weeks after treatment is the ideal time to return for a follow-up appointment. During the appointment, your injector will look at your lips and ensure they’re healing as expected.
If they notice any problems, like lumps or bruising, they’ll plan to resolve them. However, they’ll probably wait a couple more weeks before doing anything. This will give lumps, bumps, and other complications a chance to resolve on their own. If they don’t, your provider may dissolve some of the filler or massage the bumps away.
Weeks 4-6
At this point in the lip filler aftercare process, it’s important to continue monitoring your progress. Look for signs of serious complications like infections. Common symptoms of an infection include increasing tenderness, recurring pain, redness, and continued swelling. You should no longer experience these symptoms at this stage of the recovery process. If you do, it’s a good indication of a complication that needs attention from your provider.
By day 30 and beyond, your recovery symptoms should be completely gone. Now, your new smile gets a chance to shine. Your lips should maintain their supple, full appearance for up to 18 months from this point on. You should talk to your provider about future maintenance treatments to continue enjoying your beautiful results.
Weeks 4-6
At this point in the lip filler aftercare process, it’s important to continue monitoring your progress. Look for signs of serious complications like infections. Common symptoms of an infection include increasing tenderness, recurring pain, redness, and continued swelling. You should no longer experience these symptoms at this stage of the recovery process. If you do, it’s a good indication of a complication that needs attention from your provider.
By day 30 and beyond, your recovery symptoms should be completely gone. Now, your new smile gets a chance to shine. Your lips should maintain their supple, full appearance for up to 18 months from this point on. You should talk to your provider about future maintenance treatments to continue enjoying your beautiful results.
What Helps to Reduce Post-Lip Filler Swelling?
Here are some of the top things you should do and avoid to minimize swelling after your injections:
- DO wait 24 hours or longer before applying makeup
- DO avoid touching or massaging your lips for at least 24 hours
- Do gently apply ice to the lips to reduce discomfort and swelling
- DO consume foods that are easy to eat for the first few days after injections
- Do apply gentle skincare products with clean fingertips
- DON’T smoke, kiss, or drink from a straw for at least 24 hours
- DON’T exercise strenuously for several days
- DON’T massage your lips yourself
- DON’T sleep on your face or put pressure on your face while you sleep.
- DON’T wear makeup for at least 12 hours
- DON’T travel in an airplane for at least a week
- DON’T take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 24 hours before or after your appointment
- DON’T drink alcohol for at least 48 hours
These lip filler aftercare instructions can help you avoid excessive swelling. If you need pain relief after lip injections, ask your provider what painkillers are safe. NSAIDs thin the blood and can make bruising worse. Alcohol can do the same.
Some people get dry, chapped lips after lip filler injections. It’s not advisable to apply Chapstick because of the pressure required to transfer it to your lips. However, you can hydrate your lips by gently applying Aquaphor to them. Want to learn more important lip filler aftercare instructions? Click here!
Are Fillers Worth It Despite Swelling?
Despite the swelling, lip fillers are definitely worth it! There are many great reasons to get lip fillers. Here are some of the top benefits you can expect when you get your fillers from a trusted provider and follow their lip filler aftercare instructions:
- Smooth away lip wrinkles
- Restore lip volume lost due to age
- Make asymmetrical lips look more even
- Plump the lips subtly or dramatically – based on your preferences
- Restore hydration to dry lips
- Help you create the customized facial profile you want
- Boost self-confidence
How long your lip fillers last depends on how quickly your body metabolizes them. Young adults and teenagers tend to have faster metabolisms, so they may need to get lip filler touch-ups more frequently than older adults. However, most people enjoy the results of their lip injections for up to 18 months.
Experience Lip Fillers for Yourself!
You don’t need surgery to change the way your lips look completely. We can help you achieve the pout of your dreams in just a few minutes. At Azul Medspa, we use some of the smoothest and most effective lip filler options on the market. We’re proud to be the leading provider of lip fillers in El Paso. Call us today, and we’ll answer any treatment questions you may have and give you detailed lip injection aftercare instructions so you get the best possible results. Contact us at 915-317-5212 (Medspa East) or 915-584-2985 (Medspa West).
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About the Author
I’m Dr. Lyle D. Weeks, MD, FACS, founder and Medical Director of Azul Medspa in El Paso, Texas. Board Certified in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and Laser Surgery, I’m a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In 1997, I founded El Paso’s first Laser Center. After years of surgical training, I narrowed my focus to Facial Plastic Surgery and medical aesthetics. I established Azul Medspa in 2013, and over the past 12+ years, my team and I have provided exceptional aesthetic care. We’re an Allergan Top 250 provider and 7-time award-winning medspa. I specialize in CoolSculpting, Emsculpt, Botox, dermal fillers, and advanced laser treatments, helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals.
