Side effects reported in clinical trials include facial weakness, drooping of the eyelids and drooping of the eyebrows. Other adverse events included localized pain, swelling, redness, and bruising at the injection site. In rare cases, injections have caused double vision, dry eyes, or difficulty swallowing or breathing. One risk is that fillers purchased online may contain a variety of non-sterile substances, such as hair gel.
When injected, these substances can cause allergic reactions, infections, and the death of skin cells. Another risk is that an improper injection technique can cause not only swelling and lumps, but also more serious side effects, such as skin cell death and embolism leading to blindness. The FDA has issued an official warning urging consumers to never buy dermal fillers on the Internet. They can be false, contaminated, or harmful.
According to research published in Aesthetics, long-acting dermal fillers have higher rates of complications, such as infections and nodules. In general, they are safe, Paskhover says. However, there can be complications when they are used, especially if someone is not trained to do so. Most problems aren't life-threatening, but in some cases, fillers have been linked to strokes and blindness.
The researchers also analyzed data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons on the total projected number of filler injections performed during that time, and analyzed court and litigation records related to fillers in the Westlaw Next database. The FDA has asked manufacturers of facial fillers to update their labels to include additional warnings about the risk of accidental injection into blood vessels. Injectable dermal fillers can fill thin lips, improve shallow contours, smooth facial folds, eliminate wrinkles, and improve the appearance of scars. This filler is different from other fillers because its results are gradual; volumization occurs over several months as it stimulates the body to produce collagen.
Dermal filler procedures can be costly, which has led some consumers to turn to the online black market to buy DIY fillers. Injecting facial fillers into blood vessels can cause blockages that restrict blood supply to tissues. In addition to tightening the skin, overuse of fillers can result in longer-term damage, including lip wrinkles and impaired attachment of facial fat pads and some degree of skin irregularity and aging, he explains. While many facial fillers provide immediate results, says the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), some of them will require several treatments over the course of weeks or months for optimal benefits, followed by occasional touch-ups.
Lately we've heard horror stories; inexperienced practitioners using unregulated fillers that cause frozen faces, numbness, blindness (worldwide, around 50 cases of blindness have been reported after cosmetic facial injection) and even death. Physicians should also fully inform patients of the risks associated with the procedure, know the signs and symptoms of accidental injection of facial filler into blood vessels, and have a plan to treat patients if this occurs.
