Hyaluronic acid filler is extremely safe in the hands of a qualified injector. Our bodies naturally produce hyaluronic acid in our cells. This is why filler is so well integrated and accepted when it’s introduced to the body.
Filler is a medication. As is the case with any medication, it carries some risks. The risks are much lower in the hands of an experienced practitioner. The 2 major risks with filler are:
Risk of infection at injection site:
This is extremely rare! We can count on one hand the infections we have seen (out of tens of thousands of procedures). In the case that the filler site gets infected, it is usually treated with antibiotics/anti fungal/ antivirals.
Risk of infection can be largely minimized by:
* wiping down the injection area with a suitable antiseptic solution (this is why it’s best you come to your appointment with clean skin / no makeup)
* utilizing sterile injection techniques (the injector only touches your syringe with gloves on, places it on a clean area, like a tray)
* using fresh, FDA approved filler
* proper after-care by the patient. This is important: basically leave your face alone the day of injections. Don’t touch or massage injection sites unless instructed to. Minimize makeup application the day of. Don’t lick or bite your lips after lip filler!
Risk of vascular occlusion (the filler blocking a blood vessel):
Extremely rare! Managed with reversal agent (hyaluronidase)
Risk of Vascular Occlusion can be minimized by:
* your injector possessing a deep understanding of facial anatomy
* injecting filler in the correct planes
* “aspirating” (pulling back on the syringe plunger) to ensure that the filler is not being injected into a blood vessel
* recognizing the signs of occlusion and swiftly managing it
How do you get the most out of your filler results while minimizing risks of adverse reactions? Simple: choose a medical provider who focuses on injecting. Experienced injectors have seen it all: the good, the bad and the ugly, and they know what to do if the unexpected happens.
