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Why Are my Cheeks and Lips Swollen After Restylane?
Certainly swelling in the area of injection for the first few days is not unusual. It sounds like you're describing swelling in other areas. It is very unusual to have allergic reactions from hyaluronic acid fillers but not impossible. It is also possible that you may be having a reaction from local anesthesia or other medications administered during the treatment. The key in situations like this is close conversation with your treating physician to differentiate normal swelling from potentially serious other sequelae like allergic reactions.
If you ever notice blanching or white, dusky, or blue skin color changes, severe or worsening pain, coolness of the skin, vision changes, or any stroke-like symptoms, you should be seen the same day, since these can indicate a blocked blood vessel that is very treatable with hyaluronidase when caught early.
Clinical Context
Mild swelling right where the filler was injected is expected for a few days, since hyaluronic acid draws in fluid as it settles. Swelling that appears in a different area, feels warm, causes hives, or keeps getting worse instead of improving is less typical and may signal an allergic reaction or sensitivity to the anesthetic used. Because these patterns can look similar early on, it's important to contact your injector promptly so they can examine you and determine what's happening.
