Can You Have an Allergic Reaction to Lip Filler 3 Months Later? (photo)

Question

I had lip injections 3 months ago. I had no reaction at the time. It has been 3 months and last week I went on vacation to Turks and Caicos. The 3rd day I woke up with mildly swollen lips. I would put miracle lips on them all day and the swelling would lessen. We came home and 2 days later I woke up with giant lips. Since then during the day the swelling lessens but at night my lips swell up to 2-3 times their size. It hurts, burns, aches. I feel terrible and every night I wake up in pain. Help

Kian Karimi, MD, FACS · Answer

Although it would be unusual to have an allergic reaction to filler three months after the procedure, it is not impossible. A granuloma is a delayed reaction to any foreign substance in your body and can happen anywhere from 1 week to 1 year after an injectable procedure. That being said, I think it is unlikely that you are having an allergic reaction to the lip filler since it is diffuse. Have you started using any new lip balms or lip creams? I had a patient recently who had the same reaction after using a topical cream and it turned out to be a topical allergy. If this is a reaction to the filler, you should talk to your doctor about treatment options which can range from oral antibiotics, steroids, or even injection of an enzyme to dissolve filler if a hyaluronic acid filler (Restylane, Juvederm, Belotero, Perlane) was used.

Paul S. Nassif, MD · Answer

It would help to know what product you had injected in your lips. In general, it is unusual to have a reaction 3 months after your treatment. I would recommend following up with your physician, as they know the extent of your procedure. I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

It would be unusual to have an allergic reaction 3 months after a filler injection to the lips. It would be important to know what product was used to fill your lips however. I definitely would contact the physician who treated you as you should be examined in person to try and determine what the problem may be.

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Although it would be unusual to have an allergic reaction to filler three months after the procedure, it is not impossible. I recommend having a follow up with your injector right away for an evaluation and proper treatment. Best of Luck!

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

It is unusual to have swelling of the lips from a filler 3 months after the procedure. You have not told us the type of filler??? you need to see your doctor make a proper diagnosis, Granulomas, infection, or the combination. treatment would depend on the type of filler used.

Can You Have an Allergic Reaction to Lip Filler 3 Months Later? (photo)

Answers (5)