What aesthetic goal would you like to achieve with fillers? In the pursuit of aesthetic perfection, many have turned to filler injections for that impeccable appearance. From getting rid of wrinkles to restoring volume, fillers have given them a second shot at a youthful facial profile.
Yes, filler injections hold the potential to address your facial cosmetic concerns, too! Not only that, filler injections can also correct sunken scars, add volume to elongated or thin earlobes, and grant your hands and neck a youthful appearance. However, there’s a catch!
While infrequent, a few who’ve received filler injections have encountered serious side effects. So, before you proceed with a filler injection, let’s help you understand what leads to these 15 filler injection side effects. Keep exploring to make a well-rounded decision.
15 Side Effects of Fillers in Face
1. Severe allergic reactions
Despite rejuvenating your skin, fillers do, at times, trigger the immune system to get into defensive mode.
In such a situation, the immune system views the constituents of fillers, including calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic acid, or hyaluronic acid, as foreign invaders and attacks. This leads to a mild allergic reaction characterized by swelling, redness, or itching at the injection spot.
On rare occasions, an intense allergic reaction referred to as anaphylaxis may occur. This life-threatening filler injection side effect causes low blood pressure, swelling of the throat and face, and low blood pressure. Compared to a mild reaction that’s manageable with the help of corticosteroids or antihistamines, anaphylaxis demands immediate medical care.
2. Blindness
Sometimes, injecting fillers around the eyes or into the forehead or nose may lead to an unfortunate puncture of one or more vessels. Once filler material gets into the vessel, it may travel through the bloodstream, eventually blocking the tiny blood vessels supplying your eyes. For instance, the retinal artery — a critical vessel that supplies your eyes with nutrients and oxygen.
Due to a reduction in blood flow to the eyes, partial or complete damage to the retina occurs, leaving you partially or fully blind. Unfortunately, blindness resulting from fillers is irreversible. It is up to you to spot the symptoms of a complication earlier to reduce the possibility of permanent blindness.
If symptoms including pain around the eyes or sudden visual distortion occur after a filler injection procedure, you must have an experienced practitioner take a look into the matter.
In case the filler constituted hyaluronic acid, the practitioner injects hyaluronidase to dissolve it. Else, the practitioner massages the eyes to dislodge the blockage. This is one of the side effects of fillers in face.
3. Vascular occlusion
Filler injections are done using needles or microcannulas. While traditional needles provide precision and accuracy during a filler injection, they are more likely to puncture blood vessels.
When a needle punctures blood vessels, the filler material may enter the vessels through the opening and block blood flow. This potentially fatal filler injection side effect is known as vascular occlusion.
Vascular occlusion’s degree of impact on your body depends on the extent of the blockage and the part affected. Largely due to a poor supply of oxygen and nutrients, the affected part becomes purplish or bluish.
To prevent a fatal incident like blindness, a certified professional may apply warm compresses on the affected area to dilate blood vessels. This creates more room for blood to reach the affected part. Moreover, the practitioner may administer anticoagulant shots to prevent clothing and hyaluronidase to clear hyaluronic fillers.
4. Scarring
Typically, a filler injection should leave you with a smooth and youthful-looking skin. However, in case of an infection within the injection site, the body may create scar tissue as it attempts to get rid of the infection. This is one of the side effects of fillers in face.This leads to the formation of atrophic or hypertrophic scars.
If your skin is prone to hypertrophic or keloid scars, it is critical to avoid filler injections. Why? Even the slightest injury to the skin, including filler injection, can trigger the formation of hypertrophic or keloid scars.
Various treatments address atrophic scars, including microneedling, dermal fillers, TCA cross, and laser resurfacing. Even though stubborn, keloid, and hypertrophic scars are addressed through surgical removal, laser therapy, corticosteroid injections, and silicone gel sheets.
5. Infections associated with filler injections
This filler injection side effect results from your select practitioner using poor technique, contaminated fillers, or improperly sterilizing equipment. These three mistakes grant bacteria access to the treated area through the filler entry points, causing infections.
Unlike a mild infection that causes swelling, pain, or redness, a severe infection may lead to the formation of abscesses or biofilm development. This calls for abscess drainage, the use of potent antibiotics or surgery (to eliminate biofilm).
6. Necrosis
Remember the impact of vascular occlusion on your skin? Now, necrosis results from severe vascular occlusion. The affected skin lacks oxygen and nutrients for long, leading to tissue death — also referred to as necrosis.
Once necrosis occurs, your body may form a scar in an attempt to heal the affected part. Or you may end up with permanent skin damage.
That’s why practitioners advise one to immediately report a case of sudden pain or discoloration around the treated area after a filler injection to facilitate early intervention.
7. Formation of bumps and lumps
This is one of the side effects of fillers in face. The formation of bumps and lumps is a pretty common filler injection side effect. It occurs due to poor injection technique — depositing more filler in one area than others. However, there are severe cases where the practitioner unintentionally injects the filler deeper into the skin.
Severe injection mistakes create persistent lumps and pumps, requiring immediate intervention. If the filler in question constitutes hyaluronic acid, then you’ll get hyaluronidase shots. If not, a surgical removal is necessary to clear the issue.
8. Damage to the nerves
Nerve damage occurs when the needle or microcannula used to deliver filler material injures a nerve. Moreover, dermal filler pressing against a nerve for a prolonged period may lead to nerve damage.
Signs of nerve damage include muscle weakness, pain, tingling, or numbness around the treated area. In extreme instances, you may experience complete paralysis, especially on the face. For example, you may find it difficult to move your eyelids, lips, or eyebrows.
Nerve damage may arise immediately or some days after a filler injection. You are to immediately reach out to a certified professional once you spot the signs. Doing so may save you from permanent paralysis.
9. Granulomas
Like allergic reactions, granulomas form due to your immune’s negative response to filler injection. In this context, the immune system aims to isolate the filler material, forming hard lumps underneath your skin.
Unlike temporary lumps or bumps that form right after a filler injection, granulomas form after weeks, months, or even years. While some stay unnoticeable, some may grow in size and become painful over time.
Granuloma treatment is not easy. Practitioners use corticosteroids or hyaluronidase to address mild types. For the severe ones, you have to undergo surgery, especially if repeated shots of hyaluronidase do not resolve this serious filler injection side effect.
10. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
The use of a needle or microcannula for filler injection can also cause trauma to the skin. Sometimes, the trauma triggers melanocytes to release too much melanin, which settles on the surface of your skin. This is one of the side effects of fillers in face.
The visible dark spots resulting from the accumulation of melanin are referred to as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The chances of hyperpigmentation occurring vary based on your skin tone, genetic predisposition to the issue, and history of hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation is common among those with a darker skin tone and a greater genetic predisposition. It is also more visible in areas with thinner skin.
11. Slow-forming nodules
Besides contributing to the formation of granulomas, your immune system is also the cause of slow-forming nodules. In this case, your immune system reacts to filler material and encapsulates it in a nodule. This reaction mostly takes place when you are injected with fillers containing calcium hydroxylapatite or hyaluronic acid.
You are likely to notice slow-forming nodules after weeks or months. They are usually firm, with some getting tender and painful with time.
Other causes of slow-forming nodules include filler-related infections, faulty injection techniques, or deep filler injection. Either causes trigger a slow formation of nodules which eventually become noticeable.
12. Bruising
Other than vascular occlusion, filler injection using needles may cause bruising — a case where the needle punctures a blood vessel, leading to the accumulation of blood in the surrounding tissue. This manifests as skin discoloration, with a red or purple color representing fresh bruising, and a yellow color representing a healing case.
If you have naturally delicate or thin skin, there is a likelihood of experiencing severe bruising. Using blood thinning supplements or medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, fish oil, or aspirin may worsen the situation.
While mild bruising fades after some days, severe bruising takes time – weeks or months. To reduce the possibility of mild or severe bruising, practitioners often use a microcannula because it has a blunt tip. They may also employ cold compresses to constrict blood vessels before and after the procedure.
13. Persistent swelling
Right after a filler injection, it is normal to experience mild swelling as the body kick starts the healing process. However, an infection, allergic reaction, or extreme trauma during the procedure may cause persistent swelling.
Persistent swelling resulting from an infection is characterized by tenderness, redness, or warmth. In a severe case, the swelling fills up with pus. An allergic reaction, on the other hand, causes itchiness and discomfort at the injection point.
14. Shift of fillers
This filler injection side effect is mainly psychologically distressing, especially when it occurs in visible areas like the lips. The unnatural bulges, lumps, or uneven facial appearance impact one’s confidence and self-esteem negatively.
Filler migration happens when the practitioner uses thin fillers or overfills an area with dermal fillers. As the muscles within the treated areas move, they displace the fillers into surrounding tissues.
Addressing a shift in fillers may prove challenging, mostly when the injected filler contains other material apart from hyaluronic acid.
For a hyaluronic acid filler, the practitioner may inject hyaluronidase to dissolve the hyaluronic acid and correct the issue. However, if the filler contains other material, the practitioner may have to surgically remove the filler.
15. Disturbing facial unevenness
Picture one side of your lip as voluminous than the other. How about lopsided cheeks? How does the picture make you feel? Now, that’s how psychologically uncomfortable it gets when you entrust a filler injection procedure to an inexperienced practitioner.
Because of a poor grasp of facial anatomy, the practitioner injects different amounts of fillers at varying depths. Doing so creates a pattern of unevenness on your face. An aesthetically unpleasing pattern. Correcting the pattern requires multiple adjustments by an experienced practitioner.
Overall, these serious filler injection side effects are rare. However, if they do occur, they are more likely to leave a permanent scar, both physically and mentally. To reduce the chances of this happening, here are some tips for you. Now, we know the side effects of fillers in face.
How to Reduce the Likelihood of These Filler Injection Side Effects
1. Find a Qualified and Experienced Practitioner
Ensure your select filler injector has extensive experience administering fillers of different types. An experienced practitioner should know the right injection technique for various body parts, the type of filler to use, and more.
2. Prefer Hyaluronic Acid-based Fillers
Hyaluronic acid-based fillers are natural, making it easy for your system to incorporate into your skin. In case of a side effect linked to this type of filler, it is much easier to address it using hyaluronidase.
3. Adhere to Postprocedural Aftercare Instructions
After a filler injection procedure, your practitioner will give you instructions on how to care for the treated area. Some instructions include avoiding rigorous activities and alcohol to reduce the possibility of persistent swelling or bruising. Following all aftercare instructions generally supports the healing process while reducing the likelihood of side effects.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, filler injections reduce wrinkles, restore volume, treat scars, enhance lips, and rejuvenate hands and the neck. However, are you aware of serious filler injection side effects? If not, here is your chance to know 15 of them.
Take time to consider the side effects to make a well-informed decision. Do not forget this simple rule: Pick a certified and experienced practitioner, follow the aftercare instructions, and you are good to go! The practitioner should let you in on all the other details to know before the procedure.
Head Toward Youthful, Glowing Skin
Don’t get stuck trying to figure out the right skin care option for you. We are an aesthetics product manufacturing firm focused on delivering quality, risk-free products to our customers and offering guidance. For instance, we have premium-quality injectable hyaluronic acid fillers for a smooth filler experience. So, as you explore our blog, take time to also step into our shop and explore our collection of solutions.
