Gummy Smile Treatment Recovery and Aftercare

Gummy smile correction is one of the fastest, most comfortable treatments to recover from in aesthetic medicine.

There are no incisions, no significant pain, and no meaningful time away from your normal life. Whether your treatment plan involves Botox, lip filler, or a considered combination of both, most patients are back to their day within hours, not days.

The two approaches do recover slightly differently, and knowing exactly what to expect from each gives you complete confidence going into treatment, and a clear picture of what is normal in the days that follow.

Common and expected:

• Mild swelling at the injection sites, usually settling within a day
• Small injection marks above the lip, fading within a few hours
• Slight tenderness when touching the treated area
• A subtle feeling of tightness in the upper lip as the muscle begins to relax over the following days

Less common:

• Small bruising at the injection point, more likely in patients who bruise easily
• Temporary asymmetry in the smile during the first week, which resolves as the muscle relaxation settles evenly

Common and expected:

• Swelling in the upper lip, typically more noticeable than with Botox, peaking at 24 to 48 hours
• Firmness in the treated area as the filler settles into the tissue
• Tenderness to touch, particularly in the first 2 to 3 days
• Some initial asymmetry due to uneven swelling, which resolves within the first week

Less common:

• Bruising at the injection sites, fading within 5 to 7 days
• Small, temporary lumps beneath the skin as the filler integrates, softening over 1 to 2 weeks

Do:

• Apply a cold compress gently to the area for the first few hours if swelling feels uncomfortable
• Sleep with your head slightly elevated for the first night or two, particularly after lip filler, to reduce overnight swelling
• Keep the area clean and avoid heavy makeup directly over the treated area for 24 hours
• Stay hydrated, which supports healing for both treatment types
• Contact the clinic if anything feels outside what you were told to expect

Avoid:

• Touching, pressing, or massaging the treated area for at least 24 hours, and longer for filler, unless specifically instructed
• Strenuous exercise for 24 to 48 hours, as raised heart rate and body temperature increase swelling and bruising
• Alcohol for 24 to 48 hours, which increases the likelihood of bruising and swelling
• Lying flat immediately after treatment. Avoid lying down for several hours, particularly after Botox, to reduce the small risk of the product spreading beyond the intended muscle
• Heat exposure including saunas, steam rooms, and hot showers for 48 hours
• Kissing or significant lip pressure for a few hours after Botox, to allow the product to settle in place

Botox results appear gradually. Most patients notice the upper lip beginning to sit lower within 3 to 5 days, with the full effect visible at around two weeks as the muscle fully relaxes. This gradual onset is normal and expected, results do not appear overnight.

Lip filler results are visible immediately, with the initial swelling making the change look slightly more pronounced than the final settled result. The true shape and volume become clear once swelling has fully resolved, typically within one to two weeks.

Botox dosing for a gummy smile is famously precise, involving very small unit amounts placed exactly. To understand what is typically used and why so little product achieves such a meaningful change, read our guide on how many units of Botox you need for a gummy smile.

Results vary based on the type of treatment the patient receives.

Botox for a gummy smile typically lasts 3 to 4 months. As the muscle gradually regains its normal activity, gum show slowly returns, and most patients return for a top-up treatment before this happens fully to maintain a consistent result.

Lip filler typically lasts 6 to 12 months, depending on the product used, the volume placed, and individual metabolism. Because filler adds structural volume rather than relaxing a muscle, results tend to fade more gradually and last considerably longer than Botox.

Botox generally involves less noticeable swelling and a subtler day-to-day recovery, since no volume is being added to the lip itself.

Lip filler produces a more immediate visible change but comes with more pronounced swelling in the first few days.

Neither requires meaningful downtime, and the right choice depends on the underlying cause of your gummy smile rather than which recovers more comfortably. This is assessed properly at consultation, and our guide on whether you are a good candidate for gummy smile treatment covers how that decision is made in more depth.

At Dr Hass Clinic, gummy smile treatment is performed exclusively by Dr Hasaneen Al-Janabi, a GMC-registered surgeon and Member of the Royal College of Surgeons with extensive experience assessing and correcting gummy smiles for patients across London

Rather than defaulting to one product, Dr Hasaneen determines whether Botox, lip filler, or a tailored combination will give you the most natural, balanced result, based on a full assessment of your upper lip movement, gum exposure, and facial proportions.

If you are ready to address your gummy smile properly, with an approach built around your anatomy rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol, book a consultation today.