Massaging 24 hours after Juvederm caused bruising one one side and swelling on the other - is it possible I damaged the filler?

Hi, and thanks for your question. You have not ruined your lip. Don't worry. Massaging after lip injection is fine. I tell most of my patients to go ahead and massage if they feel lumps afterwards. It is more likely that a delayed bruise popped up in your lip than you caused bruising through overly vigorous massage. In any case, all of this will fade. Keep icing, limit salt for a couple of days, maybe sleep on an extra pillow tonight, try taking Benadryl tonight. Your swelling will fade quickly. Your bruise will fade in a few days, depending on how large it is and on how long it typically takes for your bruises to resolve. Hope that helps

Great question!  Massaging too early after injections can causeincreased bruising & swelling.  It is important to be gentle with any massage that you do.  What you are experiencing is likely normal and resolve over the next 3-4 days.  If you notice uneven appearance after a week or two then please see the provider who did your injections forfollow up, he or she can help assess your results.

Swelling and bruising is common after lip augmentation with fillers, some experience more swelling than others. It is highly unlikely that you have done any damage by massaging your lips. I suggest allowing 10-14 days to see optimal results.  Best, Dr. Emer

Massaging filler does very little to effect the filler itself.  It is almost impossible to move filler around with simple manipulation.  In general, it leads to more bruising and swelling if too aggressive.  Massaging won't hurt the filler but may have caused the swelling.  Ice the lip and inquire about laser treatment of the bruise if it is substantial.  Lips always swell in the first 1-2 days, in the future, cold compresses are much better than massage for swelling.  

Thank you for your question KathLA12345. Juvederm is a filler that can be used to enhance the lips. For my patients I recommend gently massaging the area for 5 minutes at a time, 5 times per day, for the first 5 days after a treatment. Swelling and bruising are not uncommon after a treatment. Application of cold compresses such as ice packs help. In our office we treat bruises as early as the next day with a laser; this makes the bruising go away much faster, 1-3 days rather than 1-2 weeks. Swelling and bruising may last for two weeks. I have my patients return two weeks after their treatment to take after photographs and assess their results. At this time more treatments can be performed if desired. Please follow up with your doctor for specific recommendations. Good luck!

Thank you for your question.  Sorry that you are having some concerns about your postprocedure appearance.  Swelling and bruising is normal after Juvederm injections, particularly in the lips, which always have a tendency to swell.  The swelling, and possibly bruising, typically peaks at 2-3 days after injection, so it is unlikely that you caused the bruising by massaging.  Massaging may be beneficial for any areas of unwanted fullness, but I do not recommend that you do this without discussing with your doctor first.  Please keep in mind that it will take 2 weeks to allow for normal postprocedure swelling and bruising to resolve and to see your final result.  I would suggest allowing for 2 weeks before judging your final result.  Icing is helpful for minimizing swelling and bruising for up to 48 hours after injection.  Arnica is also beneficial for minimizing normal postprocedure swelling and bruising.  Please be sure to see your injector for an in-person reevaluation in order to best address your concerns and to determine the best course of action.  Hope this helps and best wishes!

Thanks for your question. Rest assured that you haven't ruined your lip. Gentle massaging of the lip after an injection won't cause permanent damage, and bruising and swelling are common side effects after lip injections, especially within the first 24 to 48 hours. They will subside. The lips take about 2 weeks to settle with the new product in them. Be patient with your results, because the rate at which people heal and recover varies.
Knowing how to reduce bruising and swelling prior to your next injection may help avoid them altogether. You can minimize bruising by not consuming certain ingredients that cause bruising such as green tea, ginger, and over-the-counter supplements like Omega‑3 pills. Icing the lips immediately after injections and repeated sessions of icing on the lips for the first 24 hours can help relieve symptoms quicker. Elevated sleeping the first night is recommended to reduce any swelling in the face and lips.