Swelling After Fillers
Inflammation and swelling are common side effects of facial fillers. The popular non-invasive injectables are used for anti-wrinkle, anti-aging, collagen stimulation and adding volume to select areas of the face. While the treatment is common and safe, injecting dermal fillers into the skin is likely to cause swelling. Don’t stress, it’s normal For the most part, swelling is a non-issue and nothing more than a typical side effect of injectable fillers. It can occur right away with the treatment and last up to a couple of weeks, or it might show up later on after treatment. If you experience swelling after a month of having had the treatment, it’s a good idea to call your doctor and let them know.
Reasons for Swelling
- Natural body reaction: Swelling is a natural body reaction, anybody undergoing treatment might find they react this way. Some clients will be more prone to swelling than others.
- Injection quality: The pace and place at which the physician injects make a big impact on the likelihood of swelling.
- Anti-swell measures: Doctors who use ice during or immediately after injection can help keep swelling at bay for clients who typically experience inflammation. If you are prone to swelling, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor and see if there are any additional measures that can be taken to effectively reduce the chance of swelling.
Inflammation Leads to Swelling
The hyaluronic acid in the filler binds with the skin’s natural water supply, temporarily puffing up and swelling until the body reestablishes its natural balance. Again, the swelling is generally temporary and in most cases, lasts only a day or two.
What to Expect
If you are swelling after treatment, you can expect the worst of the inflammation right away within a few days post-treatment. Take measures to keep the swelling at a minimum, but rest calmly knowing that the swelling will naturally pass in a few days or week’s time. If the swelling persists or causes unusual discomfort, get in touch with your doctor for the best next steps. Let’s look at how to reduce swelling that occurs after injectable treatments.
How to Reduce Swelling After Lip Injections
Ice right away… icing helps reduce inflammation in any setting, so it’s a great practice to try right away after treatment. Ice in increments of about 10 minutes to beat potential swelling, you might consider icing after treatment and before any inflammation kicks in. Plan to have a cold compress ready to use when you arrive home after treatment or even to hold against the area on your way home from the practitioner’s office.
Cold-Hot Compresses Are Key
Going back and forth between hot and cold is one of the best-known ways to effectively and comfortably reduce swelling and inflammation. By switching back and forth every ten or 20 minutes between hot and cold compresses, you can usher the body back into balance.
Avoid the Sauna
Stay clear from overly hot setting after treatment as inflammation will only increase with prolonged exposure to excessive heat. If you are an avid sauna visitor, please take a few days to break from the activity so that any swelling can subside. Once the balance is re-established, visit as regular.
Opt for Restorative Over Hot Yoga
As mentioned before, stay out of excessive heat. If you typically go to hot yoga classes, opt-in for restorative yoga for a few days. The temperament climate will keep your body from overheating and the relaxing postures will ease the body of any inflammation it is fighting. Be warned – you might find yourself falling for this gentle yoga practice and become a regular!
Stock Your Pantry with Arnica and Bromaline
Arnica is a natural herb known for its aiding in helping to reduce inflammation. You can apply the ointment topically if your arnica is pure, mix it with jojoba or coconut oil to maximize its benefits and absorption. You can use the arnica as a preventative measure, as well. Applying without current swelling will not hurt you!
Be Kind to Yourself
Take it easy post-treatment, cozy up for a relaxing few days. Be extra gentle with self-talk as your address and take measures to let the swelling calm down. Get ahead of the swelling curve by speaking with your practitioner about inflammation, and preparing for potential anti-swelling measures.
- Stock up on Arnica & Bromaline
- Ice before the swell
- Schedule the treatment to accommodate your work, exercise and social schedule
- Take daily photos to track progress and flare-ups
- Avoid blood-thinning medications prior to treatment
- Stop use of Vitamin E before injections
Not All Swelling Is Equal
A few swelling symptoms are indicators that a larger problem is at hand. Be on the look-out for the following signs and notify your doctor or injecting the practitioner immediately.
- Pain lasts longer than a week post-treatment
- Inflammation that persists longer than a month after treatment
- Pain is excessive to intolerable
- Redness is unusually pervasive
Have You Experienced Swelling After Lip Fillers? Let Us Know!
If you’ve had injectables and related swelling, we’d love to learn more about your experience and what you did to combat it. Let us know in the comments below.
Dr. Semone Rochlin
For educated, experienced insight on injectables and precise treatment that actively avoids potential swelling, schedule a consultation with Dr. Semone Rochlin. Get your desired facial volume with an expert practitioner and practiced physician.
