How to Massage Lip Filler Lumps: What You Need to Know
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.
HOW TO MASSAGE LIP FILLER BUMPS
Hurry Up & Wait
The first step to massaging lip filler bumps is patience. Before starting any massage, we suggest waiting until you are 5-7 days post needle injections. Yes, we know how hard it is to see something troublesome when looking in the mirror—but messing with newly placed filler before initial swelling and bruising go down can cause unnecessary trauma.
Plus, the most common cause of lumps in the lips after injectable fillers is the trauma caused by the injections themselves. Massaging too soon will actually make this worse.
If you still have lip filler lumps 5-7 days after the treatment, these are more likely the result of the filler itself rather than swelling at the injection site.
So go ahead and sit on those hands of yours until your lips have a chance to recover and the product has time to start integrating with the tissue.
Wash & Warm
Next, wash your hands thoroughly in preparation. Grab a clean washcloth or dish towel and use it to create a warm compress. Apply the warm cloth to your lips for 2 minutes to warm up the area before your filler massage.
Massage with Care
Insert your thumb into your mouth and use your index finger to massage the bump in your lip for 2-3 minutes in a circular kneading motion. If that feels uncomfortable, try it in reverse by placing your thumb on the outside of the lip and your index finger inside the mouth.
The technique is especially recommended for upper lip massage to remove bumps in the lip after filler. The thumb creates a boundary on the vermillion border (the upper outline of the lip) that prevents filler products from migrating during the massage.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I MASSAGE LIP FILLER?
Lumps that are noticeable 5-7 days after the treatment can take 2-3 days to dissolve with lip massage. So repeat the massage 2-3 times a day until your lumps disappear and your lips feel smooth and even.
Desiree added amazing, natural-looking volume to this client’s upper and lower lips with hyaluronic acid gel fillers.
HOW HARD SHOULD I MASSAGE FILLER LUMPS?
The massage does not have to be hard to smooth out lip filler lumps. Too much pressure can lead to complications like pain, bruises, and product migration. So use gentle, circular motions to massage the filler bumps.
WHAT TO DO IF LUMPS PERSIST
Lip filler lumps usually go away within 2-3 weeks, either by themselves or with the help of the lip massage technique detailed above. If you are unhappy with your filler results or things are getting worse, please reach out to your injector. Most professionals will be happy to help assuage your concerns or offer follow-up care if necessary.
If you still have lip filler lumps months later, it may be time to dissolve the lumps using an enzyme called hyaluronidase.
Why? The lump may have attached itself to the deeper cell tissues in the skin, which means all the gentle massage in the world will not resolve the issue. But here is the good news: a small amount of hyaluronidase can dissolve the filler clump.
Hyaluronidase works by disrupting the bond between filler products and cells in the skin tissue. Using this enzyme, an injector can dissolve all of your fillers in a matter of hours if you are unhappy with the look.
However, a professional can also use a very small amount of hyaluronidase to help dissolve a lump quickly without affecting the remaining filler. A skilled technician can even add some more filler around the lump to even out the lips and create symmetry.
Filler Aftercare Products
WHAT CAUSES LIP FILLER LUMPS?
1. Trauma at the Injection Site
The single most common cause of lumps or bumps after filler is the trauma of the injection itself. This is why we recommend waiting for the swollen, bruised skin to heal before beginning to massage it. If you do have a lump at the injection site that was caused by trauma, it will naturally resolve within a week or so.
A bump may form at the injection site that occurs immediately after the treatment due to the body’s inflammatory response. This is completely normal and will likely disappear on its own after a few days.
2. You Have Small Lips
There are also certain factors that increase the likelihood of filler lumps. One of the main factors is the size of your lips. People with small lips are more likely to experience lumps after lip filler because more product is required to create a voluminous, upturned lip.
3. You Are a First-Timer
The chances of developing bumps in lips after filler are also higher if you are a filler newbie. Plus, getting more than 1 mL of product placed in the lips makes the occurrence of lumps more likely.
4. Product Thickness
Another reason for the formation of a lump after lip filler is the product itself. Newer filler products are stiffer and have higher G primes ratings, which measure the viscosity of fillers. While the thicker product can help enhance lip shape, it tends to increase the occurrence of lumpy lips after fillers. Restylane and Juvederm have high G prime ratings, so you are more likely to clump with these product lines.
5. Poor Injection Technique
Depending on the experience and skill level of your injector, the product may be placed in larger clusters than desired. Poor injection technique can certainly lead to filler lumps in the lips.
6. Facial Movements
Finally, lip dynamics and muscle movements can shift the way filler is settling, causing it to cluster unnaturally in certain spots.
Discover an incredible alternative (or addition) to lip filler—the fibroblast lip flip.
Another pair of super plump yet very natural-looking lips on a client after 2 mL hyaluron gel fillers.
LIP FILLER AFTERCARE
Get the most out of your lip fillers with these important aftercare suggestions.
Take Vitamin K/ arnica supplement after the session to reduce bruising and inflammation.
Take Bromelain to suppress the natural inflammatory response.
Ice for 10-15 minutes at a time.
Fillers can disintegrate due to dehydration. Stay hydrated for 72 hours both before and after your appointment by drinking plenty of water—bonus points for electrolytes.
Avoid physical activity and stay away from saunas or high-temperature environments that cause excessive sweating.
Avoid consuming excess salt, alcohol, caffeine, or other processed foods that dehydrate your body.
Use a pillow to keep your head in an elevated position while resting or sleeping. Bonus points for well-aging with a 100% silk pillowcase.
Use lip care with SPF to protect your lips from sun damage.
Get plenty of rest while your skin is healing. We love a silk eye mask and pillowcase for a super relaxing time in bed!
TAKEAWAY
Experiencing lumps in lips after injectable filler is extremely common—and lumps most often resolve naturally with time.
Gentle lip massage 5-7 days after the treatment can help smooth any lumps and bumps in the lips.
If the lip filler lumps persist after two weeks, they can be evened out by injecting more filler around the lumps.
Your injector can also use a small amount of hyaluronidase enzyme to dissolve lumps or to reverse the injections completely.
Written by
Rutu Desai
Strategy by
Ella Marcantonio
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