Lip Injections Are Lumpy when I Smile, Will this Even Out? (photo)

Question

Okay It is only a day after my first Juvederm injections but I am a little concerned on the lasting effects. My top lip has two bumps in the front which are more noticeable when I smile. I know there might be some swelling but I don't know if these bumps will be permanent or are due to swelling from the injection site? Also I read that massaging might help, and if so how much and how long? Also there is a slight uneveness from my top lip right to left, will this even itself out?

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Lip filler bumps is fairly common after filler.  The bumps can occur early on and many settle down.  Although massage after filler is considered a mainstay, beware that massage can drive the filler into another location if done too early.  
Reasons for bumps after filler:
Technique- Filler may have been used too superficially or wrong type of filler
Mouth movements- In some patients their movements can promote the accumulation of bumps and an alternative technique can be advocated.
Treating lip filler bumps:
Observation +/- massage-  Should be done for almost all lip filler bumps for 2 weeks.  For our patients we usually advocated massage after 48-72 hours to let the filler settle into place.
Reversal- A reversal agent can be used such as Vitrase to dissolve the filler if there is a large obvious persistent bump
Additional filler- An expert filler injector can used improved technique to mask the lip bumps.
The application of lip filler is very technical and should be done by an expert injector.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Swelling may be obscuring your results especially since it's been just a day after your treatment. Massage can help, but I recommend you talk to your injector first before massaging your lips as you don't want to displace the filler. Lumps will dissolve on their own as well. If the lumps haven't disappeared within a couple of weeks, please see your injector. Hyaluronidase may be injected to dissolve them.

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I recommend waiting another week and then having follow up visit with your injector for an evaluation. By two weeks all swelling should be resolved and the filler would have enough time to settle. If you require any touch ups this is appropriate time to have it done. Best of Luck!

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

Lumps in the lips following Juvederm injections can be caused by trauma, bleeding or too superficial of an injection.    Injecting the lips is technically challenging.  The goal is an aesthetically pleasing lip and not just a fat or sausage lip.  I usually inject in the white roll of the lip, this is the junction between the skin and the mucosal portion of the lip.  I usually do not inject in to the body of the lip as this can form lumps. Small lumps may just be from the needle trauma.  Vitrase or Wydase can be injected into these areas and will melt the Juvederm lumps in a day or so.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Being that you are only one day out and have lumps, you should  talk to your doctor. I usually have patients massage out the lumps if they get one.

Lip Injections Are Lumpy when I Smile, Will this Even Out? (photo)

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Lip Injections Are Lumpy when I Smile, Will this Even Out? (photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Lumps in the lips

Answer: Lumps in the lips

Answer: Lip fillers

Answer: Lip fillers

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Everything you need to know about Lip Fillers

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.