Lip filler injections are a common cosmetic procedure that can give your lips a fuller and plumper look. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and considered safe if you work with an experienced, licensed healthcare provider. Yet despite this, shaping lips with fillers always causes swelling. Don’t panic. It is a normal reaction of your body to minor trauma. Scroll down to learn more about lip Filler Swelling Stages and how to make it settle more quickly.

Why Do Lip Fillers Cause Swelling?

Puffiness in the first days after the treatment is an expected reaction. If the procedure goes well, swelling occurs due to natural causes. First of all, it can be related to mild traumatization. Once the injection process disturbs the delicate tissue of the lips, our body immediately launches the regenerative response. Healing agents get into the injection site, do their job, and get out, leaving the skin in its normal state. Another reason for swollen lips is the introduction of hyaluronic acid – the component responsible for drawing and holding the water. We all have hyaluronic acid in our skin, and it doesn’t make us puffy. However, when we get lip filler injections, we boost it several times, provoking temporary edema.

Swelling can also occur due to mistakes made by your injector. An inexperienced provider may administer an excessive amount of filler, making your lips look like they have been stung by a bee. In the worst case, the filler migrates outside of the natural lip border and creates a “mustache.” Many patients falsely think it is related to edema that should disappear within a short time. However, the gel can stay still for six to twelve months until the body naturally metabolizes it. Apart from that, you may forget to inform your injector about individual intolerance to the filler. As soon as it gets into your body, the mast cells release histamine, which boosts blood flow, causing swelling.

Lip Filler Swelling Stages of Monophasic Filler

Monophasic is the most common type of filler used to give an extra lip volume. It consists of a homogeneous mixture of high- and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid. If you get injections of monophasic filler, you will develop lip swelling the night after the procedure that reaches its maximum on the third day.

Right After Treatment

If you look at the mirror straight after the procedure, you will see soft and juicy lips. I bet you will even say, “Bravo, doc, this is exactly what I asked for.” At this stage, your lips should look great as they will do once the post-treatment period.

Day 1 – Day 3

The night after the treatment you will “finally” notice some changes. Your lips get bigger and thicker. You may also have bruises and experience bluish discoloration called Tyndall effect. It appears if hyaluronic acid is injected too superficially into the skin. You may even regret that you underwent a lip filler procedure or think that your injector did something wrong. Remember, this is a completely normal reaction. Just give it time.

Day 4 – Day 7

On the fourth and fifth days, the swelling starts gradually decreasing. Your lips get back their original color and all small bruises fade away. Normally, any discomfort subsides within a week. If the swelling lasts longer than two weeks, it can be a sign of an allergic reaction or migration of filler. Reach your health care provider for immediate advice.

How to Reduce Lip Filler Swelling?

Puffiness is an adequate reaction of the body to mechanical intervention. If the work is done right, the excessive swelling disappears within a week. To speed up the process of healing, you should stick to the following recommendations:

• Straight after the procedure, you can periodically apply a cold compress over the lips for 10 minutes. It can be an ice pack or cold spoon wrapped in a clean cloth.
• Within the first 48 hours, gently massage your lips. Use your forefinger and thumb to slowly work around the lips and relax any bumpy areas. You can also practice face gymnastics. Make a big smile and hold this position for 15 sec. Then stretch your lips forward and form a letter “O” for 15 sec. Repeat these exercises 10 times.
• Steer clear of jogging, swimming, and other vigorous activities for 48 hours.
• Apply SPF lip balm before going outside and avoid using lipstick for 7 days.
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to improve your body’s ability to heal.
• Refrain from taking a hot bath and visiting the sauna for the first week.

Best Products to Recover Your Lips

A Lip filler procedure undoubtedly can make you look fabulous, but it is always stressful for your lips. You need to make extra effort to restore them after injections. Bepanthol Lip Cream is one of the best products to do this job. It contains dexpanthenol, also known as Provitamin B5. This ingredient increases cell turnover and treats superficial injuries. Also, this cream can act as an excellent emollient and humectant. When applied to the lips, it creates a protective film that can trap the moisture and hold it for a long time.

This product is a real lifesaver for those who have no time to wait and want to speed up the process of recovery. The main components of this cream are Arnica along with Vitamins K, C, E, and coconut oil base. Together they help to encourage collagen production and help bruises to fade faster. Paraben- and phthalate-free.

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