Would Massage Help Lumps from Old Collagen Lip Injections?

asked 1 year ago by leokadia in Santa Barbara, CA
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 459 times
Tags: female, 20 years post-op, longevity, lumps, massage

I had collagen lip injections 23 years ago which never fully deflated. This was supposed to be collagen from sheep and would be temporary, 2 to 6 months. To this day there are lumpy deposits in my upper lip. There is no pain, nor does it look awful. But 1) there is a "dent" on one side of the lip, and 2) I don't have as toothy a smile these days due to the bulk in the center. It would be nice if it could be smoothed out somehow. Would massage do anything or is it too late?

5 answers to Would Massage Help Lumps from Old Collagen Lip Injections?

Lumps in lips

After 23 years any collagen should have degradated. You were most likely injected with something else, or your body formed granulomas around the injection sites. See a knowledgeable dermatologist or plastic surgeon in your area to discuss options. One treatment to consider would be an injection of triamcinolone (a steroid) to try to break down the excessive tissue. A biopsy of the puffy part of the lip would help in determining what the problem is exactly, and what... more

Madeline Krauss, MD
Boston Dermatologic Surgeon

Lip bumps from filler

Collagen fillers, Zyderm I and Zyderm II and the thicker filler, Zyplast, were from cow hide many years ago. At one time Fibrel, was a porcine collagen mixed with the patient's drawn blood to make a liquid thought to provide a longer lasting filler but this did not stay on the market. I do not recall any U.S. FDA-approved sheep collagen product. One of the first hyaluronic acids was derived from the rooster comb. There was a human collagen but no sheep collagen.... more

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Lumps 23 years after lip filler.

I have serious doubts that the material injected, into your lips 23 years ago, was Collagen. Silicone seems far more likely. Your lips have the appearance of silicone that has continued to create lumps and bumps and can do so forever. It can't be removed, nor will steroids dissolve it. Massaging will most likely just cause further irritation to the lips. You may wish to see an expert in decreasing lips with siliocne injections.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Massage won't help old injections of lips.

Massage won't help old injections of lips after 23 years. It was not collagen! Your lip looks good except for the dent. I would not inject steroid since it will cause a further dent in the lip. You might have a little Juvederm injected to fill out the dent.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

How to Treat Lumps in Lips from Collagen Injections 23 Years Ago

From your picture it looks to me like you were injected with something other than collagen, most likely something much more permanent. Twenty-three years ago, in this country, we were using collagen from cows (not sheep) called Zyplast and Zyderm (I'm giving away my age) which lasted only up to six months. We did allergy testing first and complications were quite rare. You could have formed a delayed inflammatory nodule (granuloma) which has persisted. You should see a dermatologist to... more

Mitchell Schwartz, MD
South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon

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