What to Know About Cold Sores After Lip Fillers

Can a lip filler trigger a cold sore? Explore this article from Abreva to learn more about cold sores after lip fillers.

Cold Sores and Lip Fillers: What’s the Link?

If you experience cold sores, you’re probably familiar with common cold sore triggers. Cold sore triggers include stress, fatigue, sun, hormonal changes, and a weakened immune system. ¹ Are lip fillers a cold sore trigger too? Lip fillers, also known as lip injections, are a cosmetic procedure individuals undergo in order to reshape their lips or give their lips more volume. ² Lip fillers are generally a fairly safe procedure, but they can have potential complications for some individuals, including cold sores. ³ That’s why if you’re interested in lip fillers, talk to your doctor to learn more about the process.  Read on to learn more about cold sores and lip fillers.

What Are Lip Fillers?

Formally known as lip augmentation, lip fillers are a cosmetic surgery procedure which consist of reshaping or the enlargement of the lip. Lip fillers can be temporary or permanent . ⁴ Two of the most common types of fillers are hyaluronic acid (HA) and polyacrylamide (PA). ⁵ However, not all types of lip fillers are FDA-approved, so if you’re considering having this procedure done, be sure to do your research and talk to your doctor in order to prioritize your health and safety.

Can Lip Fillers Trigger Cold Sores?

If you have a history of cold sores, you may want to be cautious about doing a lip filler procedure. Lip fillers are a fairly safe procedure when completed properly. ⁶ However, they may have negative side effects, including cold sores. Cold sores are a potential outcome for individuals with the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). ⁷ Lip fillers on their own can’t cause cold sores; the direct cause of cold sores is HSV-1. That being said, if you already have the herpes simplex virus, lip fillers may trigger an outbreak.

Are Cold Sores After Lip Fillers Common?

Good news: cold sores after lip fillers are relatively rare. ⁸ Along with allergic reactions and vascular embolism, cold sores are not considered a common complication. ⁹ In fact, less than 2% of patients experience a cold sore outbreak after dermal injections with hyaluronic acid. ¹⁰ However, even though the occurrence is rare, it can’t hurt to be prepared. If you get cold sores, be sure to talk to a medical professional before getting lip fillers. Be prepared with medicine to treat future herpes outbreaks, just in case. Your doctor may recommend you use an over-the-counter cold sore medicine like Abreva, or they may prescribe a medication for you to pick up from your local pharmacy.

We hope you found this article about cold sores and lip fillers helpful. Learn more about dealing with cold sores today.