Is severe swelling after Restylane lip injections common? How long does it last? (Photo)

Question

Today was the first time I had a lip filler done. The doctor used restalyne, half a syringe. Initially after it was slightly swollen. Six hours after and the swelling is much much worse. I am worried. Is this normal or am I having an adverse reaction?

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Hi @salmonkl. Swelling after lip injections is common. The swelling should subside in 1-2 weeks. Best of luck, Dr. Nima!

Kevin Haney, MD · Answer

Some swelling after lip injections is common. Restylane is a great filler that we often use for the lips, and we set the expectations that it will come with some swelling. As most have agreed, after 2 weeks it should be less swollen and more like the desired results. If not, hyaluronidase will be your best bet. In hindsight, it's a good rule of thumb to start off with less than average since it was your first time. Next time you need some filler, be sure to tell your injector about the first experience.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Lip swelling is very normal and can last up to two weeks. I suggest you see an expert for treatment options if you are still unhappy after this time.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

This swelling will settle down in a day or so.  Take a deep breath.  Don't assume that you need to have this adjusted.  I do not think you are overfilled.  Restylane is the right product for this.  Now you mentioned that only a half of a syringe was used.  If this doctor has stored the other half of the syringe for later use by you, I recommend considering that product a loss.  Once a syringe is opened and used, there is no way to ensure the sterility of what is left in the syringe.  For that matter, unless the doctor runs a tissue bank, the office does not have safety protocols in place to ensure that the open half syringe you get in the future is actually your syringe.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear salmokl,Juvederm has significant swelling post injection. I would follow up with you plastic surgeon but typically I tell all my patients to wait a full two weeks.  Generally at 2 weeks they are happy and glad they didn't dissolve.  Dissolving is unpredictable as well.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Yes, it is normal to have some swelling after Restylane injections and can take up to 2 weeks to fully resolve. You can help reduce your swelling by applying cold compresses to the treated area. Also, it is advisable to avoid any NSAID’s before and after treatment as they tend to thin the blood and cause an increase in swelling. I recommend following up with your injector if you have any other concerns. Best of Luck!

Esta Kronberg, MD · Answer

Yes, Restylane can cause lip swelling. It does cause more lip swelling than Juvederm. It gives a great lip result, you just need to be a little patient.It can subside in 1 to 2 weeks.

Shalini Gupta, MD · Answer

Yes, it is common for lips to swell after a few hours of lip injection. I doubt this is an adverse reaction, though watch for signs of further swelling or rash.  Icing can help.  I don't recommend a lip filler treatment before a major event as swelling can be unpredictable and sometimes uneven.  Your swelling should subside within a few days, and after a couple of weeks, it will settle more into the eventual outcome.

Jill C. Fichtel, MD · Answer

It is fairly common for the lips to appear more "plump" in the days after hyaluronic acid filler injection due to swelling.  This should subside in the next 1 to 2 weeks.  If you feel that the lips still appear too "full" at that time, then hyaluronidase could help dissolve some of the excess filler.

Raja Mohan, MD · Answer

It is common to see swelling in the lips after Restylane injection. I recommend giving it some time for the swelling to subside. You can try ice packs. If the swelling does not get better, definitely visit your injector to be evaluated. Hope this helps.

Is severe swelling after Restylane lip injections common? How long does it last? (Photo)

Answers (11)

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