Considering treatment? Our page on lip filler in London covers suitability, results and price.
Most of what happens after lip filler is expected and short-lived: swelling, tenderness and sometimes a bruise. A small number of things are not normal and need a call to your clinic the same day. This guide separates the two, so you know exactly what you are agreeing to before you book, and what to look out for afterwards.
The short answer: swelling for a day or two, tenderness and possible bruising are normal, and everything settles within about two weeks. Serious complications are rare. Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved if something is not right.
Side effects most people get
- Swelling. Lips swell more than any other area we treat. It is at its most noticeable in the first day or two, can be uneven, and often makes your lips look bigger than the final result. It settles fully by around two weeks.
- Tenderness. Your lips may feel sore when you eat, drink or talk for the first few days.
- Bruising. Small marks at the injection points are possible. You can cover them with makeup once the first 12 hours have passed.
- Firmness and small bumps. Fresh filler can feel firm or slightly lumpy while it settles. This usually softens over the first two weeks. Do not massage your lips unless your clinician has asked you to.
- Redness where the needle went in, usually gone within hours.
Less common side effects
- Cold sores. If you get cold sores, lip filler can trigger a flare. Tell us at your consultation. We will not treat you while you have an active cold sore.
- An uneven result. Swelling is rarely symmetrical, so judge the shape at two weeks, not on day two. If one side still looks different once everything has settled, it can usually be corrected.
- Lumps that do not settle. These can be adjusted, or dissolved if needed.
- Migration. Filler can drift above the lip border and leave a soft ridge, sometimes called a filler moustache. It is far more likely when a large volume is placed in one go, which is why we start at 0.7ml or 1ml and build gradually. If you have migrated filler from a previous treatment, that usually needs dissolving before anything new is placed.
- The overfilled look. Almost always the result of adding a lot at once rather than of the product itself.
Rare but serious risks
Every injectable treatment carries these, and a good clinic tells you about them before you book, not after.
- Infection. Increasing redness, heat, pain or discharge in the days after treatment.
- Allergic reaction. Rare with hyaluronic acid, but possible.
- Vascular occlusion. Filler blocking a blood vessel. It is rare and it is the most serious complication. The signs are pain that is severe or getting worse, and skin that turns pale, then blotchy, dusky or purple. It needs treating the same day, usually by dissolving the filler.
This is why who treats you matters as much as the product. You want a medically qualified clinician who takes your medical history, knows the anatomy of the lip and can dissolve filler straight away if it is ever needed.
When to call us
Contact the clinic straight away if you notice any of these:
- Pain that is severe, or getting worse rather than better
- Skin that looks pale, white, blotchy, or dusky blue or purple
- Swelling that is still increasing after the third day
- Heat, spreading redness, discharge or a fever
- Any change in your vision. Go to A&E immediately.
Call us on 0207 099 6650 or message us on WhatsApp on 07999 999 850. If you cannot reach us and symptoms are severe, call 111 or go to A&E.
How to lower your risk
Before your appointment: avoid blood thinners such as aspirin and ibuprofen for a week, avoid alcohol for 2 to 3 days, and avoid dental treatment within two weeks. Arrive rested, hydrated and having eaten. Tell us about cold sores, allergies, medication and any filler you have had before.
Afterwards: no exercise for 24 hours, no alcohol for 24 hours, no makeup, hot drinks or pressure on the lips for 12 hours, and no other facial treatments for 10 to 14 days.
Who should not have lip filler
We will not treat you if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an active cold sore or infection in the area, or have a history of severe allergic reaction to hyaluronic acid. You must be 18 or over.
What if you do not like the result?
It is reversible. Hyaluronidase dissolves hyaluronic acid filler and your lips return to their natural shape within days. Very few aesthetic treatments have that safety net.
How we keep it predictable
Every appointment starts with a private consultation and a full facial assessment. We agree exactly what is being placed and where, and if what you are asking for will not suit you, we will say so. Most first treatments are 0.7ml or 1ml. You are shown a mirror during treatment, not just at the end, and two weeks later is when we would assess a top-up if you want one.
Lip filler at Dermamina is £250 for 0.7ml and £300 for 1ml, with a £50 consultation. We are a Save Face accredited clinic on New Cavendish Street, five minutes from Oxford Street, rated 4.8 from 2,000+ reviews on Google and Trustpilot.
Common questions
Is lip filler dangerous?
Serious complications are rare. The common side effects are swelling, tenderness and bruising, which settle within about two weeks. Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved if something is not right, and your clinician should explain every risk at your consultation.
How long does lip filler swelling last?
Swelling is most noticeable for the first day or two and settles fully by around two weeks. That two-week point is your true result.
Can lip filler cause cold sores?
It can trigger a flare in people who already get cold sores. Tell your clinician at your consultation. We will not treat you while you have an active cold sore.
Can lip filler be dissolved?
Yes. Hyaluronidase dissolves hyaluronic acid filler, and your lips return to their natural shape within days.
Does lip filler hurt?
Numbing cream is applied first and left to work properly. Most patients describe it as mild pressure rather than pain, and some feel very little.
Related reading
- How long does lip filler last?
- Lip filler results timeline: swelling day by day
- Lip filler cost and price guide
- Lip filler in London: suitability, results and price
Book now or call 0207 099 6650. Suitability for treatment is confirmed at consultation. Individual results vary.