It is normal to experience some degree of swelling after receiving Restylane injections. This swelling can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on several factors. Most people notice an improvement in 3 days, but it can take up to 4 weeks for the swelling to completely subside. It is important to note that the severity of the swelling will vary based on multiple variables, including the specific material, location, and volume of the filler injected.
After treatment, you may experience side effects such as swelling, redness, pain, bruising, headache, tenderness, lumps, itching at the injection site, and impaired hand function. These side effects are usually mild in severity and usually last less than 7 days on the nasolabial folds and less than 14 to 18 days on the lips. Swelling may be more likely in patients younger than 36 years of age and bruising may be more likely in patients older than 35 years of age. Delayed swelling may also occur after the initial injection due to the water attraction of the filler.
Dermal fillers cause swelling and bruising because the injection process causes minor trauma to the area. About two days after your lip filler injections, you're likely to start to notice that your swelling is decreasing. Subjects also performed self-assessments (SSA) for wrinkle severity, and most reported an improvement of at least 1 degree in SSA scores with Restylane Refyne and with Restylane Defyne after 6 weeks. Using the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS), a validated 5-point measure of wrinkle size and depth, with grade 1 defined as no wrinkles and grade 5 as extremely deep and long wrinkles, researchers reported that 79% of subjects with Restylane Refyne and 77% of subjects with Restylane Defyne had at least 1 degree improvement in WSRS after 6 weeks. If you're considering injecting lip filler, such as Restylane, you're probably wondering about aftercare. Some medications may be available to certain patients, as appropriate, to speed swelling resolution, but are generally reserved for surgery. It is important to choose an accredited clinic when receiving Restylane injections in order to ensure the smoothest possible experience.
Remember that your doctor will be trained to minimize swelling.