Higher Occurence of Cold Sores After Lip Injections?

Hello SLK.  The answer to your question is yes, we have seen this type of reaction previously.  More often than not, it is after the more traumatic procedures such as laser resurfacing, but any trauma around the lips can bring on a cold sore as well.  The onset of the cold sore may be quite some time after the actual procedure and during the healing process.

If this is a recurring issue in the months after treatment, ask your practitioner for a prescription to head off the problem before you come in for your treatment.  Good luck.

Cold sores can be triggered by any sort of stress, physical or emotional. The introduction of a needle into the lip, as during a filler injection, is one such stressor. The concern for cold sores is usually immediately after the treatment. For this reason, I recommend that anyone with a history of cold sores start an antiviral prophylactically prior to lip injections. 

If you have a history of cold sores on the lips (herpes labialis), then it's a good idea to have your doctor prescribe an anti-viral drug like valcyclovir to be taken around the time of your lip injection.
I doubt you're more likely to get flare-ups after the initial injection, as I have not seen this as a common occurrence in my patients.
Best regards.

SLK350,
Most likely not.
Lip augmentation with minimally invasive procedures is a quick way to rejuvenate and to create more youthful, fuller lips. Injectable filler material includes collagen, hyaluronic acid, or your own fat. Side effects may occur from the treatment, such as a cold sore flare up.
Cold sores around the lips are very common. Sores around the mouth come and leave relatively quickly, usually lasting a couple days. Any stress, procedures, surgery, or trauma on or around the lips or mouth may activate cold sores. Most cold sores from lip injections are temporary and occur soon after the treatment. Except for fat, while the material is still within the lips, there may be a slightly higher risk of cold sores.

Dear SLK350:

As you are aware your cold sores  on your lips (herpes labialis) are triggered by the trauma (although mild) to your lip.  I would recommend informing your physician of this recurrence such that recurrence is minimized with pre-treatment use of valtrex.  Best wishes.

Any stress such as lip injections to the mouth area could cause a cold sore flare up. You are more likely to experience this soon after the procedure. To prevent this from happening you may be prescribed anti-viral medication before the injection. The months following your injections should not cause an increase in cold sore flare-ups.

Yes, it has been proven that any trauma to the lips can reactivate the herpes labialis virus in those that have a history of cold sores. It is unknown if lip injections will cause you to have more occurrences of cold sores. I recommend that you see your primary care manager and obtain a prescription, such as, valtrex. This will help keep the herpes labialis virus under control while you have lip injections.

Trauma and a compromised immune system can allow cold sores to recur. But filler injections should not increase the frequency of recurrences after the treatment session.

Trauma to the lip with the needle injections and massage can trigger a recurrence of cold sores.  You should start antiviral medication such as Valtrex the day before your treatment and continue for 5 days after your lip augmentation.  Once any swelling and bruising have subsided, there is no increased risk of recurrence of cold sores with the presence of the filler. 

Any trauma can induce the virus to reactivate. Traumas include sun, needle punctures such as in lip injections with fillers, lasers, chemical peels and stress.
The risk of a cold sore is immediately after an injection. If you have a history of cold sores on the lip would recommend taking Valtrex 2 grams in the morning and evening of the procedure day. We also pre- treat patients with a history of cold sores to prevent reactivation of the virus. Valtrex is safe and has minimal side effects.
Good Luck!