Lip Filler Swelling Stages
Dermal fillers are pretty popular in the cosmetic beauty sphere because of numerous reasons; however, the most common one is that they allow people to “practice” their desired appearance before using more serious treatments (like plastic surgeries or permanent filler administration). However, any type of procedure in the cosmetic beauty sphere is usually followed by certain adverse reactions, and swelling is the one that’s among the most typical.
In today’s article, we would like to talk about the post-treatment stages – healing lip filler swelling timeline. In this way, you will not only have a better understanding of what to do after the gel administration session but also know what to expect and be ready for after the procedure.
The Working Principle of Lip Fillers
A lip filler procedure is an injectable treatment in the aesthetic cosmetic sphere meant to make lips look fuller, plumper, and more seductive. It is pretty similar to the Botox procedure, but while botulinum toxin’s primary purpose is to paralyze nerve ending, stop their contraction, and prevent aging signs occurrence, dermal fillers are used for volume restoration purposes. They can be used for different facial areas and cosmetic goals, which is excellent for individuals who don’t plan to try plastic surgery for skin rejuvenation in the nearest future.
Most fillers are based on these active substances: hyaluronic acid (HA) or calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA). They can be found in the body naturally, so side effects are usually minimal and don’t cause any severe problems. The most famous brands for lip augmentation purposes are Juvederm, Restylane and Radiesse; they deserve their excellent reputation thanks to natural-looking results, long-lasting effects, and minimal complications after the treatment.
When this gel-like substance is injected into lips, it helps to support and slightly change the shape of the tissues, in this way getting the appearance a person has always dreamt of. Typically, this type of product may last up to a year (sometimes longer) based on one’s body and skin peculiarities.
Is It Painful to Have Lip Filler Injection?
You should understand that any treatment that involves needles will be painful at some point; however, it is possible to eliminate the level of discomfort by using topical anesthetics before the injection session. And don’t forget about pain tolerance because it mainly decides how the patient feels during the procedure. Moreover, most lip injection products contain lidocaine, meaning all painful sensations are minimized to the maximum.
To know which dermal fillers can be used for lips, then you should read the article Juvederm vs. Belotero. Be the first to learn useful information.
The Healing Process. 1 Week Lip Filler Swelling Stages
After hyaluronic acid lip fillers, different people require an additional amount of time to heal fully and be able to go back to their normal routine. Typically, they go through a few swelling states during the healing journey, and the durability of each stage depends mainly on one’s age, health condition, body peculiarities, and other factors. Let’s have a closer look at each period.
Right After the Treatment
Commonly, people complain about redness and swelling right after a treatment session. Those are common symptoms because every dermal filler injection session includes the needle puncture into the skin, as well as the administration of foreign substances under the skin. Generally, two to five days are enough for all the irritations to fade away; if negative symptoms stay for longer, we recommend contacting a professional because there is a chance of an infection progressing in the treated spot. To make all side effects disappear faster, a person can use proven and effective post-treatment aftercare tips (they are discussed in more detail in the next paragraphs).
Day One
For day one, the most extreme swelling is typical; moreover, some individuals may also notice uneven swelling and significant discomfort in the gel administration area. To reduce discomfort, it is recommended to apply ice to the injection spot; if the pain is hard to tolerate, it is also possible to take painkillers (talk with a specialist about the safest options).
Day Two
On day two, a patient should start noticing how the swelling is fading away gradually. After 48 hours, it should disappear entirely, so be patient. Any discomfort related to the filled administration should also vanish after this time.
Day Three
On the third day, a person should start understanding how their lips will look like in the end. The swelling should be gone fully, and the appearance should go back to normal already. However, some time can still be required to learn how to live with new lips, so there can be some accidents while eating or drinking.
Two Weeks
At this point, an individual should fully get used to the filler administered to the lips and be able to go back to their usual routine. After that, there should be no accidents, all adverse reactions should be entirely gone, and a person should be able to enjoy their new appearance fully.
Why Do People Experience Swelling?
It may be surprising to you, but a lip area is a zone that experiences significant swelling the most often among all facial regions suitable to be treated with the help of dermal fillers. All because of the ultra-thin skin in this zone, which makes it incredibly sensitive and reactive to any type of aesthetic procedure.
Overall, swelling is a normal reaction in the cosmetic beauty sphere; the skin is slightly damaged during the appointment, and, as a result, swelling occurs as a sign of the healing process. Our bodies are “programmed” to send fluid and white blood cells to the wounded part to guarantee fast and effective recovery, so the damaged skin will surely inflame. Thus, it’s a natural part of healing, and there’s no need to be worried or stressed; but, of course, if something bothers you, it is always possible to get in touch with a doctor to discuss all the nuances.
Effective Tips for Faster Recovery
After lip filler injections, it is crucial to follow a certain aftercare routine to make sure no severe adverse reactions occur after the procedure. There are some common tips and tricks, and we are going to mention the most helpful ones below.
Remember: A specially planned aftercare routine is recommended for individuals with extremely sensitive skin. Talk to a medical specialist and discuss all the nuances for a faster recovery and minimal problems after the treatment.
#1. Use Cold Compress
Many specialists recommend keeping your lips iced right after the injection sessions, as well as during the following days until the swelling is fully gone. You may use an ice pack, but make sure to wrap it into the piece if the piece of cloth and not press it directly into the skin. A cold compress would work well, either.
The best way to use a cooling method to reduce swelling is to leave a cold compress on the lips for about 10-20 minutes, then replace it with a warm compress for 10 minutes, and repeat this cycle a few times. In this way, you’ll reach maximum effect and eliminate unfortunate adverse reactions in no time.
#2. Avoid Overheating
We understand that having a hot shower or bath may be a part of someone’s evening routine, but still, we recommend avoiding it for at least a few days not to make post-filler side effects worse. When experiencing swelling after lip augmentation, heat can make the situation even worse. So, postpone your favorite bath sessions, as well as solarium/sauna/hot tub visits.
Remember: After waiting for a few days, you will be able to go back to all your planned procedures and usual routine.
#3. Be Patient
When considering a lip filler treatment, you should understand that it comes with certain unavoidable unpleasant adverse reactions and complications. Lip swelling is a typical symptom; some individuals may also expect painful sensations and uneven lip shape for some time. All of those problems are completely natural and shouldn’t be something to be worried about. Give yourself some time, and you’ll see the improvement very quickly; to make the healing process faster, it is always possible to follow specific aftercare tips (of course, previously discussed with a medical specialist).
#4. Avoid Strenuous Exercise
For some people, it may be hard to understand how exactly not going to the gym may help to reduce lip swelling after the filler injection. However, it has a direct influence on the recovery process. After such a stressful event as a dermal filler administration, a lip area becomes extremely sensitive, so it’s crucial not to stress out your body too much; otherwise, all you can expect is swelling, bruising, and sleepless night because of painful sensations in the lip zone.
#5. Postpone Planned Dental Procedures
Any type of dental procedure includes an unwanted stretch in the mouth area; a person needs to open the mouth wide and stay like this for a long time. This action may lead to filler migration, which is an unfortunate symptom and requires some time to be controlled. Usually, a special solution that dissolves hyaluronic acid is administered under the skin to get rid of the gel in the unwanted regions; after it starts working, the treatment can be repeated to reach the desired effect without too much trouble.
To Sum Up: About Lip Filler Swelling Stages
Lip fillers work well for lip augmentation purposes, as well as shape correction and wrinkles elimination in the mouth area. This non-surgical method of lip correction is perfect for individuals who want to change their appearance but are not ready for dramatic changes like from, for example, plastic surgeries. Basically, lip injectables give people the opportunity to practice their changes before switching to more permanent variants.
Some individuals wonder whether extreme swelling is normal after the lip filler administration, and for them, we have a short answer – yes, it is normal. Any cosmetic procedure is followed by slight irritation, swelling, bruising, and other adverse reactions. So, the only thing you can do is to keep calm, take care of the injection spot properly, and follow all doctor’s recommendations. By doing so, any irritations will disappear in no time!