How Long Does it Take for Lip Filler to Settle? A Day-by-Day Breakdown

Written by an Expert Aesthetic Content Writer Lisa.
Reviewed by Expert Medical Director Dr. Raj Thethi
Published on: May 1, 2024
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Fillers

How Long Does it Take for Lip Filler to Settle

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Do you want to have natural and volume with lip fillers? A lot of people do! But remember — your lips need time to settle and start looking just right after the treatment. Our guide will help you learn how long does it take for lip filler to settle and what affects this duration.

Key Takeaways

  • Your lips may swell a bit right after.
  • They start looking just right in 2-4 weeks, normally.
  • Worried about your lips looking weird? Look after them and talk to your doctor.
  • Remember, patience is key. Your lips need time to look their best!

Understanding Lip Fillers

Many people all over the world want to have fuller lips, increase the definition around the lip or soften lines around the lip area. ip fillers are a common way to achieve this. However, before discussing how lip fillers settle, it is worth finding out what lip fillers are and how they work to naturally enhance the volume in your lips.

What is a Lip Filler?

Lip fillers are special injections into your lips. The fillers make your lips subtly more plump and give a more defined shape. The most common type is made from hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar found in our body that helps hold water. Moreover, hyaluronic fillers are available in various types. Differences include

  • Filler Viscosity: Fillers come in different thicknesses and different fillers are useful for different jobs. Thicker fillers are better for volumising or creating structure / support like cheek filler. We use softer, less viscous filler in the lips to match the normal tissues in the area.
  • HA concentration:. More HA concentration will give you a fuller lift and make your lips plump. Less concentration is needed for a softer look.

How Do Lip Fillers Work?

Lip fillers use the power of hyaluronic acid. Here’s how they improve your lip support:
  • Injection: A qualified doctor will put the chosen filler into your lips.
  • Hydration boost: The HA will pull in water nearby, which gives you a naturally , more defined lip shape.

Why Do Lip Fillers Have to Settle?

After getting lip filler, most people’s lips will swell a little. This happens for a few reasons:
  • From the injection: The tiny holes given by the needle may slightly swell your lips.
  • Filler: The acid is mixed with a liquid to form the filling solution. That liquid can also make your lips look puffier while the filler is settling
  • Anaesthetic fluid: If your doctor uses a dental block to do the fillers, there is a separate amount of anaesthetic fluid which needs to drain away prior to seeing.
  • Water attraction: A little bit of swelling may also occur when HA pulls in the water nearby.

This swelling will go down, and as it does, your lips will settle. Your lips will look smooth, and the filler will blend in, showing off your new full lips!

How Long Does it Take for Lip Filler to Settle? A Day-by-Day Breakdown

Knowing how lip fillers settle in can help you know what to expect and how to take care of your new lips. Usually, these are the stages your lips go through:

Initial Swelling and Discomfort (0-3 Days):

  • Day 1: Your lips will be most swollen, tender, and possibly a little bruised. Ice packs can help with discomfort and swelling but after a minimum of 6 hours after injection
  • Days 2-3: Your swelling will have gone down a bit. Your lips may still be touch sensitive and look slightly bruised, but not as much as the first day

Gradual Reduction in Swelling (4-7 Days):

  • Day 4: Your swelling will have dropped off a fair bit. Discomfort is expected, but should be reduced.
  • Days 5-7: Most of the swelling will have gone, and your lips may still look a touch full but still natural.

Final Results Emerge (2-4 Weeks):

  • Week 2: Swelling should be gone, and the filler starts to settle in place. Your lips might not look perfectly even yet, but that’s okay.
  • Weeks 3-4: This is when your lips will look their best. They’ll have the fullness and shape you want.

Remember, everyone’s different. For the best advice on how your lips will settle, talk to your doctor. They can give you a timeline that’s just right for you.

Factors Affecting Lip Filler Settling Time:

Not everyone’s lip fillers settle at the same speed. Here are a few things that can make a difference:

Types of Lip Filler

There are different types of hyaluronic acid fillers. The one you get can affect how fast it settles in your lips.

  • Viscosity: Thicker fillers make your lips look fuller and define the edges better. It might take a little while longer for them to settle on your face compared to thinner fillers. Thin fillers might feel more natural, but the plump they give doesn’t last as long.
  • HA Concentration: Fillers with high HA concentration make your lips look out-of-this-world full. It’s because they lift up your lips more. But because there’s more HA, it takes longer for the swelling to go away.
  • Particle Size: Bigger particles of HA give more structure. They might take longer to blend in, which also means they’ll take a bit to settle.

We use Teoxane dermal fillers. These are a premium brand of hyaluronic acid and its currently UK’s number 1 dermal filler of choice. Dr Raj is proud to sit on the UK Teoxane Faculty and is a trainer for Teoxane. With Teoxane, we are spoilt for choice with regard to which filler would be best for you. We can us Teoxane RHA1, RHA2, RHA Kiss, RHAX3 Remember, the type of filler your doctor uses can impact pact how fast your lips look their best.

Injection Technique

How your doctor decides to inject filler is just as important. Here’s why.

  • Precise Placement: A good doctor puts the filler just where it should go. This makes sure your lips look even and natural.
  • Right Amount:  An expert knows just how much filler to use. Too much will make your lips swell more and take longer to look right.
  • Be Gentle: A skilled injector handles your lips with practice and uses tiny needles. This way, your lips will settle faster.
  • At Yorkshire Skin Centre, we can use a combination of needle and microcannula work to give you the safest procedure with the most natural result. 

Individual Body Response

Everybody’s body is different, and that affects how long lip fillers take to settle. Here’s why:

  • Healing response: Some people swell more or heal slower. This means swelling may last a bit longer after lip fillers are put in. This may be similar or different.

Understanding these things helps you know what to expect and talk better with your doctor about the best options for you.

Tips for a Smooth Lip Filler Settling Experience

Now that you have discovered how long does it take for lip filler to settle, let’s get some tips for a better experience. Do these after your procedure, so your lip filler settles well:

Follow aftercare instructions:

  • After 6 hours, you can use ice packs on your lips for a short time in the first couple of days to reduce swelling.
  • Don’t do hard exercise or activities that make you sweat a lot for a 48 hours.
  • Be gentle with your lips; don’t touch, lick or pick them.
  • Use a soft toothbrush and gentle toothpaste to brush your teeth.
  • Avoid hot or spicy foods for a bit, as they can make swelling worse.
  • Stay out of the sun, or use SPF 30 or higher sunscreen on your lips.

Doing these things can help you have a smooth and comfy experience after lip fillers are put in.

Manage Swelling and Discomfort:

If you have received the lip fillers, probably your lips now feel swollen and sore. Here are a few tips:

  • If your lips are hurting, take some pain relievers like paracetamol
  • Take arnica or bromelain tablets to speed up the healing.
  • Don’t touch or press your lips too hard, or rub them, otherwise, the swelling may take longer to heal.

Gentle Makeup Application:

  •  After the treatment, you can start putting makeup on your lips. You can wear makeup 24 hours after the procedure.

Maintain Hydration:

It will help your lips recover up to two times quicker. Drink at least 8 glasses a day.

No Smoking and Alcohol: 

  • Wait a few days before you smoke, as that may make your lips sore and the healing of the lips slower. 
  • Do not also take in alcohol too much, as it can increase the swelling of your lips.

Be Patient:

  • It takes a few weeks  to see how your lips will look exactly after the fillers. Wait for all of the swellings to disappear to see what the final result will be like 

These are some of the easiest and most effective ways to have the best experience with your lip fillers. A great note to always remember is to take excellent care of your lips and tame your expectations to have the lips you want. 

Conclusion:

So, how long does it take for lip filler to settle? It is subjective and completely dependent on the filler and how your body reacts to it. Ideally, it would take a few days or up to a week for the final results to appear. Keep communicating with your doctor and raising any concerns you have during this time. With the right care for your lips, you can ensure a wonderful experience with lip filler treatment.

FAQs Regarding How Long Does it Take for Lip Filler to Settle?

What can I expect after getting lip fillers? 

You might have swollen and tender lips for a few days, and they could look a bit bruised, but it gets better in about a week. To find out more, read the blog “How Long Does It Take for Lip Filler to Settle? A Day-by-Day Breakdown.”

Can I speed up the lip filler-settling process? 

You can’t make them settle faster, but using a cool cloth and following care tips can help the swelling go down.

Will my lips look uneven after getting lip fillers? 

Sometimes they might look a bit uneven because of the swelling. Talk to your doctor about it when you go for your check-up.

How long do lip fillers last? 

We use premium quality dermal fillers by Teoxane. They usually last between 12 – 24 months, depending on the filler and your body.

Are lip-fillers safe? 

Lip fillers are an extremely safe procedure if performed by a medical professional who can make extra efforts to minimise the risks as much as possible.   But like with anything, there can be some risks; its more important your injector knows the risks, knows how to identify complications early and subsequently is able to manage the complications appropriately in a timely manner. This will be discussed in detail in your consultation prior to going ahead with treatment.

Author

  • Dr. Raj Thethi

    Yorkshire Skin Centre in Leeds is a CQC-registered medical clinic. It is led by Dr Raj Thethi who completed his core surgical training in hospitals around West Yorkshire before branching into aesthetics. Dr Raj Thethi is a Northern Territory Regional Expert for an international dermal filler company called Teoxane. He also sits on their National UK Faculty.

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About the Author

Dr. Raj Thethi

Yorkshire Skin Centre in Leeds is a CQC-registered medical clinic. It is led by Dr Raj Thethi who completed his core surgical training in hospitals around West Yorkshire before branching into aesthetics. Dr Raj Thethi is a Northern Territory Regional Expert for an international dermal filler company called Teoxane. He also sits on their National UK Faculty.

View all posts by Dr. Raj Thethi

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