Getting a filler or injectable procedure is one of the quickest, most popular ways to achieve a youthful complexion and refresh your look. But when you don’t get good results, it can be difficult to know what went wrong.
Dermal fillers are injected directly into the skin to correct sunken cheeks and deep wrinkles. While they are generally considered safe and effective, getting a bad filler job can cause long-term side effects.
It’s essential to understand the various signs that indicate if you had an unsuccessful procedure. This way you can determine if you need additional treatment or further restoration of your original appearance. Here are five red flags that could signal you had a bad filler job.
How Fillers “Gone Wrong”
Prior to being released into the larger medical community, a filler brand must receive approval for its new product by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). This approval process involves reviewing the results of carefully conducted clinical trials according to high safety standards.
Regardless of whether or not the filler brand itself has been approved by the FDA for its safety and effectiveness, the delivery of the product is completely up to the medical professional administering the injection. Their skill level will determine the results.
Should a cosmetic surgeon fail to correctly inject a filler, there can be disastrous, though often repairable, results. The appearance of a bad filler job can be embarrassing to the patient and should be avoided at all costs. Below are five signs that your filler job has gone wrong.
1. Persistent Puffiness
There are several signs that the body can give when a facial injection of filler has gone wrong. The first is puffiness long after the initial injection. Normally, a patient may experience swelling or puffiness in the area for up to twenty-four hours. This is considered a common side effect that should be no cause for concern. Should the swelling or inflammation in the area persist past a day or two, however, it may become necessary to consult your plastic surgeon or primary care physician.
The causes of persistent swelling can be numerous and each possibility comes with its own set of risks. It is possible that the swelling is caused by vascular occlusion. This occurs when the injection needle perforates a blood vessel or when the injectable is inserted close enough to a blood vessel to cause blockage of said vessel.
There are two types of vascular occlusion. The first occurs immediately upon injection and is obvious to the cosmetic surgeon. This is referred to as arterial occlusion and is very serious. It is possible that this can cause tissue degradation and necrosis. Should it affect the area near the eye, it is possible that it can cause vision loss.
The second type of vascular occlusion is venous occlusion. This is less severe and is identifiable only hours after the procedure has been performed. The signs of vascular occlusion are not limited only to swelling. Additional symptoms of this complication include pain, white spots, or reddish-blue coloration.
Vascular occlusions are generally treated with the administration of hyaluronidase for at least four days after the event and/or applying 2% nitroglycerin to the affected area. Taking a medication that encourages the thinning of the blood, such as Aspirin, can also aid the issue.
2. Asymmetry/Asymmetric Fullness
Asymmetrical fullness can occur after the injection is performed. This can be characteristic of a number of complications, although it is most often just a cosmetic concern that can be corrected by dissolving the filler with hyaluronidase.
Typically, asymmetrical fullness is a sign that the filler was injected poorly. It is necessary for the cosmetic surgeon to be very careful when injecting the filler into the lips, forehead, or other treatment areas. The injectable must be carefully applied evenly throughout the area to ensure symmetry. Otherwise, the patient can experience humiliating results that will be very obvious to their colleagues, friends, and loved ones.
What to do when an asymmetry fullness occurs?
- Consult your cosmetic surgeon or primary care physician if you experience asymmetrical fullness after a filler job.
- Ask your doctor about the type of filler used and whether it can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, an acid filler.
- If the filler is dissolvable, your doctor may recommend administering hyaluronidase for at least four days after the procedure to dissolve the filler and restore symmetry.
- Your doctor may also suggest taking a medication that encourages thinning of the blood, such as Aspirin, to help reduce swelling and inflammation in the area.
- In some cases, additional injections may be necessary to correct any asymmetry caused by the bad filler job.
3. Allergic Reaction
Asymmetrical fullness can also be a sign of an allergic reaction. This allergy may be to the medical ingredient itself, or to the liquid gel in which the ingredient is suspended. Allergic reactions are rare when cosmetic surgeons do their due diligence in collecting patients’ medical histories.
With that said, allergies are fairly common and should be treated with care. The reaction can occur immediately upon injection or three to four days after the filler is applied. Other indications of an allergic reaction include tenderness and swelling.
What do do if you have an allergic reaction after a bad filler job?
- If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction after a filler injection, such as tenderness, swelling or asymmetrical fullness, seek medical attention immediately.
- Ask your doctor to test for allergies to the injectable fillers and/or the liquid gel in which they are suspended.
- If an allergy is confirmed, your doctor may recommend taking medication to reduce the symptoms.
- In some cases, hyaluronidase may be used to dissolve the filler and reduce the swelling.
- For lip injections, it is important to find a qualified and experienced cosmetic surgeon who can properly administer the filler in order to avoid any complications.
4. Infection
Should asymmetrical fullness occur many days after the procedure, it occasionally indicates an infection. Infection is to be treated with care and should be addressed by a primary care physician.
What to do if you are experiencing infection after a bad filler job?
If you have experienced an infection after a bad filler job, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Your doctor may recommend a course of antibiotics to treat the infection. Additionally, they may suggest hyaluronic acid injections or other injectable treatments to help reduce swelling and inflammation in the affected area.
To prevent further infection, it is important to keep the area clean and dry. Avoid touching or rubbing the area, as this can spread bacteria and cause further irritation. If you have had lip injections, avoid eating spicy or acidic foods that could irritate the skin around your lips.
It is also important to follow up with your doctor regularly for checkups after your filler treatment. This will help ensure that any potential infections are caught early and treated quickly before they become more serious.
5. Unnatural Appearance
Another cosmetic concern that can occur after a filler treatment is an unnatural appearance. This is the most common following lip fillers. Overfilled lips are known as “duck lips” and most patients who end up with this result find themselves very embarrassed by their appearance. Lip fillers must be injected sparingly to create a natural result.
What to do if you experience an unnatural appearance after a bad filler job?
- If you have an unnatural appearance after a bad filler job, it is important to seek out a qualified and experienced cosmetic surgeon who can properly administer the filler.
- Ask your doctor to assess the soft tissues in the affected area and determine if any additional aesthetic procedures are necessary.
- Your doctor may recommend hyaluronic acid fillers or other injectable treatments to help reduce swelling and inflammation in the affected area.
- To achieve a natural result, it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and avoid overfilling the lips.
- Follow up with your doctor regularly for checkups after your filler treatment to ensure that any potential complications are caught early and treated quickly.
Dermal Filler Fixes at Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique
At Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique in Houston, we’ve seen it all. It’s absolutely critical to find a trained medical professional whom you can trust for all of your filler needs. We recommend visiting the Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique for a consultation with one of our highly trained aestheticians.
Doctor Paul Vitenas oversees this lovely boutique medical spa in Houston and has over 25 years of experience. Dr. Vitenas and his staff are professional filler providers who will help to ensure your safety and comfort before, during, and after the procedure. You may contact the boutique via phone at (281) 810-9083 or via the Contact form on its website.