How Long Does It Take for Filler Lumps to Settle?

Dermal filler injections are a great way to address several cosmetic issues in a single hour, without the need for invasive procedures that can take two to three hours. It's common for patients to experience irritation or lumps after the procedure, but these should dissipate within a few days. In some cases, it can take up to two or three weeks for the lumps to completely settle. The most common cause of lumps after a filler treatment is swelling and bruising caused by the injections themselves.

These should naturally disappear within the first week. Some cosmetic treatments and procedures take a long time to change their appearance, such as liposuction, which can take up to a year to see the final results. Restylane injections may have bumps or lumps that appear after treatment, but these should go away within a couple of weeks. If they don't resolve on their own within a month, your provider may use hyaluronidase to dissolve them.

Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid, which is the main component of dermal fillers. The best way to avoid potential complications and adverse reactions when receiving a dermal filler injection is to choose a professional injector (nurse or doctor) with expertise in facial anatomy injection products and proper procedures. The injector should massage the area after administering the injection, to disperse the filler and soften the skin. Thicker fillers like Radiesse tend to produce more swelling and residual bruising than thinner fillers like Restylane.

If you're thinking about trying dermal filler for the first time, you should be aware that your facial features may look very thick for a couple of days after treatment. A complication known as the Tyndall effect can occur if the dermal filler is injected too superficially, in which case hyaluronidase can be used to dissolve the filler. It's important to give your tissues time to heal after dissolving hyaluronidase fillers before injecting them with new filler; hyaluronidase will cause some swelling, which could affect the accuracy of the injector. Hyaluronic acid fillers naturally break down by the body and will lose their volumizing and plumping effect over time, so some people may find that simply waiting a little will be enough to reduce the volume of the filler to a satisfactory level. Because swelling and bruising can cause the lumps or bumps of the dermal filler to worsen, it is recommended that patients use a cold pack immediately after receiving the filler injection and until the swelling has subsided, to avoid excessive swelling or bruising that could result in undesirable results such as post-treatment bumps or lumps. If you notice any lumps or bumps after you have received an injection of dermal filler, you have the option of simply waiting for them to settle on their own, which usually takes a week or two.