Just like any other cosmetic procedure, dermal fillers have some common side effects like redness, bruising, swelling, pain etc. Most of the common side effects go away within two weeks. In rare cases, patients may experience raised bumps under the skin. It needs to be treated either through surgery, injections or medications.
If the filler is injected into a blood vessel, it could lead to blurry vision or permanent blindness. To mitigate this, injecting procedures should always be done by a trained physician. In addition, if you feel extreme pain or your skin gets blue after the procedure, you should immediately contact your doctor, as this is a sign that filler has reached the bloodstream.
Most side effects of dermal fillers are usually not severe and don’t last for more than a couple of weeks. Some of these side effects are:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Pain
- Rash
- Itching
There may also be some rare side effects for which you will have to visit the doctor at the earliest. They are:
- Infection
- Leakage of filler
- Movement of filler from one site to another
- Nodules around the injection site (surgically removed)
- Blood vessels injury
- Granulomas (inflammatory infection)
- Blocked blood flow
Before the treatment, one should prepare themselves to avoid any complications. For example, it is recommended to avoid waxing, bleaching, or using hair removal cream on the area which is to be treated. It is also advised to stop the consumption of alcohol 24 hours before the injection. It is because alcohol can make the blood thinner and increases the chances of bruising. For the same reason, the doctor may recommend you avoid certain medications.
Before and after the treatment, you should minimise salt intake, which can worsen the swelling.
There are side effects of dermal filler, but when attended by experienced and certified doctors or surgeons, they can be mitigated.