Why are my cheeks and lips swollen after Restylane?

I had my lips done yesterday, and the doctor did only one side of my face for faint nasolabial line. She also filled in a bit for an old scar between my nose and lip area. Now, my cheeks and lips are swollen. What happened?

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12 answers to “Why are my cheeks and lips swollen...”

A: Swelling after restylane

Steven H. Williams, MD

Thanks for your question - Certainly swelling in the area of injection for the first few days is not unusual.  It sounds like you're describing swelling in other areas.  It is very unusual to have allergic reactions from hyaluronic acid fillers but not impossible.  It is also possible that you... more

A: Swelling may be normal after Restylane

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD

Before any filler treatment you should be informed by your surgeon about possible swelling and bruising around the injection sites. To minimize the chance of swelling it is recommended to ice the area up to two hours after the injection. Restylene is made out of the hyaluronic acid, which attracts water.... more

A: Swelling after Lip Augmentation with Restylane and Juvederm is Normal

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Restylane and Juvederm are hyaluronic acid fillers composed of a synthetic form of a naturally occuring compound in our body.  Unlike silicone, restylane and juvederm are safe and temporary fillers with low complication profiles. Hyaluronic acid is hydrophilic, wherein it actually acts like a sponge in... more

A: Swelling after Restylane is likely normal

Anil R. Shah, MD

Swelling can be normal after a facial filler. It may signify excessive bleeding or rough injection technique from the injector. There are rare cases of isolated allergic reactions at 1 in 2000 which manifests as local swelling, redness, or tenderness over time Tips to decrease swelling after NASHA facial... more

A: Swelling after Restylane: Normal after 24 hours

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Swelling after any injury is common especially for the first four days which we call the inflammatory period. Antiinflammatory agents may be useful but are generally discouraged due to their potential with bleeding. Icing, head elevation, compression are generally recommended for the early period to... more

A: Swelling is normal after facial filler

Steven Wallach, MD

Swelling is normal a day or two after injection with a facial filler.  This should get better with time.  

A: You are not alone; everyone gets some degree of bruising and swelling.

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD

You are definitely not alone on this one… everyone gets some degree of bruising and swelling with facial soft tissue injections. I always forewarn my patients about the POTENTIAL risks of bruising and swelling with all facial injections. Because of the high vascularity to the head and neck area, it is... more

A: Some swelling is normal after injections

Kari L. Colen, MD

Swelling is normal after injections, especially into the lip area.  The length of time the swelling lasts is different for different people but should go away within a few days.  Please do not worry.  Placing cool compresses on the area may help. If after one week the swelling persists, please... more

A: Swelling After Restylane Injections

Michael A. Persky, MD

Hi Cynthia, The swelling after Restylane injections should be mild, and should dissipate within one to two days. The swelling of your lip is from filling the scar.  If a deep blood vessel was punctured with an injection then there is sometimes swelling (and bruising) that may last for a week. ... more

A: Swelling is to be expected after Restylane injections

Robert M. Freund, MD

Everyone swells at a different rate and to a different degree. Anytime you are injected with filler there will be some swelling. To minimize the swelling, you can place ice or cold compresses on the site of injection after the procedure. You can also use arnica montana or bromolein.  In the end, all... more

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