Since lip fillers are made of hyaluronic acid gel, they remain soft and natural feeling. Some fillers are firmer than others, and overfilled lips may feel firmer than lips with only a small amount of filler. It should be noted that the lips may feel hard for around two weeks after injections.
Your lips will feel a little stiff, firm in some areas and you will feel lumps. At this stage of the healing journey, many patients are concerned something has gone wrong, however, this is a very normal part of the lip filler journey.
It's common for lip fillers to feel firm or slightly hard initially. This should soften over the first couple of weeks as the filler settles and integrates with your tissue.
Lip filler nodules are a known side effect following hyaluronic acid lip filler injections, but their frequency and nature can vary: Early Post-Treatment Lumps: Bumps or lumps appearing within the first two weeks are often related to swelling or bruising and typically resolve without intervention.
“Massaging the lips post procedure is key for smoothing out any filler lumps. Filler lumps can be a cause of concern for patients, so it's important ensure you massage after injecting to smooth the filler and mould it into place.
In almost all cases, lumps after lip filler resolve on their own in about 2-4 weeks. During this time any treatment-related swelling and bruising will resolve, and the lip filler will hydrate and smooth out.
A lip filler granuloma typically looks like a nodule or lump in your lips or the surrounding tissue. You may notice the nodule feels firm or cystic when you press on it. It is usually movable under your skin and non-tender. There may also be some associated swelling, redness, or hardness around the granuloma lump.
This firmness is normal and typically begins to soften within the first week. Most people find their lips feel more natural and supple by the end of the second week. The complete settling process, where the filler fully integrates with your tissue, can take up to four weeks.
If lumps are still prominent 1 week after injections, begin massaging if you haven't already. Persistent lumps likely won't resolve without help. Avoid massaging for 2 weeks if bruising is present. Work around bruised areas until they fully heal.
You should massage after having injectable dermal fillers in areas where the skin is thinner, such as the lips or lower eyelids, but massaging too much and in other areas could actually break down the filler, resulting in less volume. Or it may cause filler migration.
Uneven, lumpy lips are a common sign of bad lip fillers. They usually occur for one of several reasons. The technique used by your provider could be incorrect, or a filler with too much viscosity has been used. In some cases, lumpiness can occur as a result of an allergic reaction.
Fillers remain moldable for 1-2 weeks, and pressure can deform your filler. The most common culprits? The face cradle on massage tables, tight ski goggles and swim goggles. Normal activities like washing your face or putting on make-up do not have enough force to mold your filler.
Lumps after dermal filler is a common issue and can be normal and temporary, or it may need to be reviewed. It is very common to have temporary lumpiness in the skin in the first few weeks after dermal filler. What usually happens is that it will integrate into the skin by about week 4.
Swelling and healing
Another factor Dr Karla highlights is how, “Immediate post-injection swelling can temporarily mask asymmetries or unevenness in lip filler results. As swelling subsides and the tissues heal, the asymmetrical distribution of filler may become more apparent. This can result in lopsidedness.”
At most, you might experience some minor discomfort when the needle is inserted into your lips. However, once the filler has been injected into your lips, you shouldn't feel any further discomfort or sensations after the initial healing time.
Avoid kissing/massaging/touching your lips
You need time to allow the puncture holes to heal, so bacteria can't travel through them. In addition, the pressure from massaging or kissing can potentially cause the filler to migrate, leading to unevenness or the filler traveling past the upper lip.
Wait 12 hours post-injection before massaging to allow the filler to settle. Massage 2-3x daily for 5-7 days.
Are Lip Fillers Supposed to Feel Hard? Your lips may feel stiff or rigid immediately after injection with dermal fillers. Don't worry — this is entirely normal, and the lip fillers will soften with time. Your lips may also be swollen and tender, which can contribute to the lip filler feeling hard under the skin.
Lip filler settling time varies depending on the type of filler used and injection technique. Swelling peaks in the first two weeks, with final settling typically occurring around four weeks.
The most common cause of lumps after a filler treatment is swelling and bruising from the injections themselves. These should naturally subside within the first week.
Since lip fillers are made of hyaluronic acid gel, they remain soft and natural feeling. Some fillers are firmer than others, and overfilled lips may feel firmer than lips with only a small amount of filler. It should be noted that the lips may feel hard for around two weeks after injections.
Lumps and bumps are common after lip filler injections. The good news is that they can be effectively treated with gentle massage after the initial swelling subsides. Keep reading to learn how to massage filler lumps with a technique that will not only help smooth out lumps but will prevent filler migration.
In this case, necrosis often turns the skin blue or gives it a blue cast. It can also result in pustules and a scaly look along with white plaques. Sometimes the affected skin turns black. The necrosis is not only difficult to look at but also quite painful.
If your lip filler has migrated, you may notice: Lumps or bumps along the lip borders or nasolabial folds. An uneven or asymmetrical lip shape. A “filler mustache” effect with filler bulging above the upper lip.