Cold sores are a fact of life for millions of people. These painful blisters on the lips are caused by a virus that occasionally flares up due to stress, illness, irritation, or injury.
Lip fillers are one of many factors that can lead to an outbreak of cold sores, but this doesn’t mean everyone who has ever had a cold sore must avoid lip enhancement. With a few cold sore prevention strategies, you can get the perfect pout without worrying about cold sores.
What Are Cold Sores?
Cold sores are caused by exposure to the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). The virus spreads through person-to-person contact, such as kissing. You may experience an outbreak immediately after exposure. Outbreaks begin with a tingling sensation followed by itchy, painful blisters around the lips. They usually scab over after a few days, then slowly heal.1
Once you’ve been exposed, the virus lays dormant in the nerve cells. While it’s dormant, it doesn’t cause any health issues, and it isn’t transmissible. However, if something reactivates the virus, you’ll have an outbreak of cold sores and could spread the virus to others. Various factors can trigger an outbreak, including:
- Viral infection
- Fever
- Hormonal changes
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Sun exposure
- Injury to the skin
Prescription antiviral medications can prevent outbreaks or shorten them once they occur. Medications that treat cold sores are also available over the counter.
Can Lip Fillers Cause Cold Sores?
If you have never been exposed to the virus, you will not get lip sores after filler injections. You will only get cold sores after lip filler if you have the virus that causes cold sores. Lip filler may trigger an outbreak. Experts believe that the tiny puncture wounds from the needles used to place filler can activate the virus and cause cold sores.2
If you have a history of cold sores, talk to your injector before getting fillers. You may need a prescription for antiviral medication before your appointment to reduce your risk of an outbreak.3
Can You Get Lip Filler if You Have a Cold Sore?
You should not get lip filler if you currently have a cold sore. Wait until the outbreak has fully healed before scheduling your appointment. If you have questions about how long to wait after a cold sore, talk to your injector.
How Can I Treat a Cold Sore After Lip Fillers?
If you develop a cold sore after lip filler, you can treat it the way you normally treat cold sores. Your doctor can prescribe medication to shorten the outbreak and speed healing. You can also use over-the-counter medications to ease discomfort from the cold sore. Talk to your doctor if the cold sore lasts longer than usual or doesn’t respond to normal treatment.
If you have questions about lip fillers and your risk of cold sores, talk to your injector and check out My Filler Treatment’s physician-reviewed articles for more on what to expect from your procedure.
Sources:
- Mayo Clinic: “Cold Sore: Symptoms & Causes.“
- Cleveland Clinic: “Can a Lip Filler Trigger a Cold Sore?”
- Wang, Chenyu, et al. “Herpes reactivation after the injection of hyaluronic acid dermal filler: A case report and review of literature.” Medicine.
