Ask a doctor

Am I stuck with duck lips after a combo of the vermillion border, and actual lip injections? (Photo)

Hi, I had my vermillion border filled a week ago instead of the actual lip part. I have never gotten my lips filled before, and the Dr. assured me this was the way to go. I could see no difference after the procedure. So, a few days later I went back and got Restalyne injected in red part of lip. It's been 3 1/2 days and I look like a duck. Will this go away without vitrase? And if not, am I able to get vitrase injected only in vermillion border? Thanks in advance!

Doctor Answers 13

What to do about the "duck lips" caused by Restylane injections

April 21st, 2017
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Thank you for your question and photo. It is common to have swelling and after lip augmentation, which can take up 2 weeks to resolve. You can apply ice to the treated area to help reduce any swelling. If you are unhappy with your final results you can have the filler dissolved with an enzyme known as hyaluronidase. I recommend following up with your injector after 2 weeks for an evaluation and possibly treatment. Best of Luck!


Web reference: https://www.myethosspa.com/services/dermal-fillers-service/restylane/

Hardik Soni, MD


Summit Emergency Medicine Physician
5.0 out of 5 stars 47 reviews

April 21st, 2017

What to do about the "duck lips" caused by Restylane injections

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Thank you for your question and photo. It is common to have swelling and after lip augmentation, which can take up 2 weeks to resolve. You can apply ice to the treated area to help reduce any swelling. If you are unhappy with your final results you can have the filler dissolved with an enzyme known as hyaluronidase. I recommend following up with your injector after 2 weeks for an evaluation and possibly treatment. Best of Luck!


Learn more: https://www.myethosspa.com/services/dermal-fillers-service/restylane/

Hardik Soni, MD


Summit Emergency Medicine Physician
5.0 out of 5 stars 47 reviews

What to do about the "duck lips" caused by Restylane injections

February 23rd, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Thank you for sharing your good question. There are a couple of methods for treating duck lips (Hyaluronidase to dissolve and filler injections above the lip to blend skin with lip), but at 3 days nothing should be done. You probably have significant swelling. Often lips swell more than any other parts of the face that get Restylane injections. Try cold compresses and wait 2 more weeks to judge results. Good luck.

Web reference: http://www.CosmeticEyelids.com

James R. Gordon, MD, FACS, FAAO
February 23rd, 2016

What to do about the "duck lips" caused by Restylane injections

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Thank you for sharing your good question. There are a couple of methods for treating duck lips (Hyaluronidase to dissolve and filler injections above the lip to blend skin with lip), but at 3 days nothing should be done. You probably have significant swelling. Often lips swell more than any other parts of the face that get Restylane injections. Try cold compresses and wait 2 more weeks to judge results. Good luck.

Learn more: http://www.CosmeticEyelids.com

James R. Gordon, MD, FACS, FAAO

Duck lips

February 8th, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Lips generally hold on to some degree of swelling for a couple of weeks, and it may take 6-8 weeks until they feel completely normal again. You can limit your salt intake to help the swelling go down faster. If after a few weeks you are still concerned, you could have some filler injected into the white part above the lip. This may help to create a smoother flow to the lip
Brian Maloney, MD, FACS
February 8th, 2016

Duck lips

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Lips generally hold on to some degree of swelling for a couple of weeks, and it may take 6-8 weeks until they feel completely normal again. You can limit your salt intake to help the swelling go down faster. If after a few weeks you are still concerned, you could have some filler injected into the white part above the lip. This may help to create a smoother flow to the lip
Brian Maloney, MD, FACS

Duck Lips and Swelling

February 8th, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

I would definitely wait two weeks to see if you still have swelling or if it is the product that is causing the problem.  Best, Dr. Green

Web reference: http://www.michelegreenmd.com/restylane

Michele S. Green, MD
February 8th, 2016

Duck Lips and Swelling

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

I would definitely wait two weeks to see if you still have swelling or if it is the product that is causing the problem.  Best, Dr. Green

Learn more: http://www.michelegreenmd.com/restylane

Michele S. Green, MD

#ducklips and filler

February 4th, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
In short you are very swollen for up to 2 weeks after lip filler. Do not rush any judgment before this period of time. Be well, Dr. M
Jared Mallalieu, DO
February 4th, 2016

#ducklips and filler

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
In short you are very swollen for up to 2 weeks after lip filler. Do not rush any judgment before this period of time. Be well, Dr. M
Jared Mallalieu, DO

Early days for Restylane injections in the vermillion.

February 3rd, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Lips are notorious for swelling following HA injections with Restylane or Juvederm. It can take up to one week before settling down. 

The great thing about HA fillers such as Restylane is that Hyaluronidase can remove excessive filler if needed. 

all the best

Dr Davin Lim 
Laser and aesthetic dermatologist
Brisbane, Australia. 

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD
February 3rd, 2016

Early days for Restylane injections in the vermillion.

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Lips are notorious for swelling following HA injections with Restylane or Juvederm. It can take up to one week before settling down. 

The great thing about HA fillers such as Restylane is that Hyaluronidase can remove excessive filler if needed. 

all the best

Dr Davin Lim 
Laser and aesthetic dermatologist
Brisbane, Australia. 

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD

Swelling will subside

February 2nd, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
At this point it is too early to tell.  The swelling should resolve over a week or two.  Hyaluronidase can melt the filler away but I think it would be premature to do that now.
Jerome Potozkin, MD

Jerome Potozkin, MD
Danville Dermatologic Surgeon
4.2 out of 5 stars 5 reviews

February 2nd, 2016

Swelling will subside

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
At this point it is too early to tell.  The swelling should resolve over a week or two.  Hyaluronidase can melt the filler away but I think it would be premature to do that now.
Jerome Potozkin, MD

Jerome Potozkin, MD
Danville Dermatologic Surgeon
4.2 out of 5 stars 5 reviews

Duck lips

February 1st, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Significant swelling after lip injection is common and should go away within days.  Since you were injected with a proper material there should be no problem. Just be sure you are seeing a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
Melvin Elson, MD
February 1st, 2016

Duck lips

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Significant swelling after lip injection is common and should go away within days.  Since you were injected with a proper material there should be no problem. Just be sure you are seeing a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
Melvin Elson, MD

The edema of the lips can take up to one week to 10 days. you need to be more patient.

February 1st, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Please, be patient and let the swelling resolve prior to judge the area. The lips get swollen very much and the edema can last up to 10 days. If the lips, after the 10 days, is still swollen, go to your doctor and make sure they know your concern. The treatment is to use Hylenex or something similar product to dissolve the HA. .
Soheila Rostami, MD, FAAO, FABCS
February 1st, 2016

The edema of the lips can take up to one week to 10 days. you need to be more patient.

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Please, be patient and let the swelling resolve prior to judge the area. The lips get swollen very much and the edema can last up to 10 days. If the lips, after the 10 days, is still swollen, go to your doctor and make sure they know your concern. The treatment is to use Hylenex or something similar product to dissolve the HA. .
Soheila Rostami, MD, FAAO, FABCS

"Duck lips"

February 1st, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
The injection of too much filler in a broad fashion in the border between the lip and the skin (vermillion) can create a shelfing of the upper lip that people commonly refer to as "duck lips."  Filler placed in the correct fashion in this area can accentuate the lip border.  However, after lip filling, there is generally swelling that lasts a few days to a week.  This swelling can be reduced by applying cold compresses to the area after the treatments.  It is best to wait at least 10-14 days to evaluate the full effect from filler including the potential for being overfilled.  Thankfully, vitrase or other hyaluronidase can be used to reduce Restylane or other hyaluronic acid fillers within a day.
Kyle Coleman, MD

Kyle Coleman, MD
New Orleans Dermatologic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 11 reviews

February 1st, 2016

"Duck lips"

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
The injection of too much filler in a broad fashion in the border between the lip and the skin (vermillion) can create a shelfing of the upper lip that people commonly refer to as "duck lips."  Filler placed in the correct fashion in this area can accentuate the lip border.  However, after lip filling, there is generally swelling that lasts a few days to a week.  This swelling can be reduced by applying cold compresses to the area after the treatments.  It is best to wait at least 10-14 days to evaluate the full effect from filler including the potential for being overfilled.  Thankfully, vitrase or other hyaluronidase can be used to reduce Restylane or other hyaluronic acid fillers within a day.
Kyle Coleman, MD

Kyle Coleman, MD
New Orleans Dermatologic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 11 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.