Lip fillers alone cannot cause cold sores, as the direct cause of these sores is HSV-1.However, if you already have herpes simplex virus, lip fillers can trigger an outbreak. Needle punctures, even with lip fillers, can especially trigger cold sores. People who already carry the virus can get cold sores from dermal lip filler treatment if they have never had a cold sore before. The symptoms of herpes reactivation after filler injection are mainly angioedema-like swelling, erythema, local pain, and crusting, which are generally seen 24 to 48 hours after filler injection.
If you suffer from cold sores, you can get them after lip filler treatment, but you cannot get treatment if you have an active cold sore during the day. An expert has revealed that there could also be 'activation of cold sores', and vascular occlusion, which is a medical emergency where the filler blocks a vein or artery and can cause skin death and loss of the lip area, as well as scarring. Although it is possible to get cold sores after lip dermal filler even if you have never had one before, there is some evidence to suggest that if you have had a cold sore in the past, you are at a slightly higher risk of developing one again after lip dermal filler. It is important to be aware of this risk and take precautions to minimize it.
Cold sores are relatively common in the population and having had a cold sore in the past doesn't stop you from getting cold sores. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with lip fillers and take precautions to minimize them.
