Cosmetic Injectables–Dermal Fillers

Cosmetic Injectables – Dermal Fillers

Moderna Vaccine Interaction with Dermal Fillers

The FDA has reported that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine may cause facial swelling (angioedema) in people who have facial fillers. In all three cases reported by the FDA, the swelling was localized and either resolved itself without intervention, or after simple treatment. Furthermore, according to FDA, a flu vaccine, and influenza have been known to trigger these side effects as well.

Our immune system is designed to counteract any foreign substances. Certain unknown factors following a viral infection, or vaccination, may occasionally cause your body to view your dermal filler as extrinsic, causing such reactions as facial swelling and inflammation. This is a rare side effect, and it is easily treatable with antihistamines and prednisone, which is a type of steroid.

While cosmetic patients should be aware of the possibility of localized swelling in response to the vaccine, it is important to remember that these cases are rare and the effects are easily treatable. All patients should consider the benefits of receiving the vaccine along with the reported risks. This shouldn’t stop anyone from getting preventative treatment, or from getting facial filler.

If patients who have had facial fillers notice any swelling at the site of their filler injection post Moderna vaccine administration, please notify the office so we can assess the need for treatment.

Dermal Fillers

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) fillers have revolutionized the treatment of facial aging. These fillers come under many names including Restylane® Refyne, Restylane® Defyne, Restylane® Lyft, Restylane Contour, Juvederm® Ultra, Juvederm® Ultra Plus, Juvederm® Voluma, Juvederm Vollure, Juvederm Volbella. All of the above products are non-animal-based and completely bio-compatible with human hyaluronic acid; therefore, no allergy test is necessary. They are all variations of Hyaluronic Acid a naturally occurring substance that is present throughout the body and binds with water molecules, which provides our skin with youthful plumpness. Facial aging involves many factors. As we age, our skin loses some of its hyaluronic acid as well as soft tissue volume. This loss of volume and hydration causes our face to appear sunken and wrinkled. Fillers can address most of these problems and to some extent are more effective than surgery for certain areas of the face. Skillfully administered, dermal fillers will volumize and restore the face immediately, enhance the contour of areas such as cheeks, temples, jowls, smile lines, and lips. In general, the results can between 6-12 months. The longevity is relevant to the amount and type of filler, the facial area, and your natural metabolism. All the fillers now have a local anesthetic incorporated into the HA and that makes a procedure pain free and well-tolerated. A topical anesthetic cream could also be used for extra comfort. The use of blind tip, flexible microcannulas allows for smooth and painless administration of filler without causing trauma or bruising. Hyaluronic acid based fillers are also completely reversible by injecting enzyme that dissolves HA overnight. It offers many new customers a peace of mind.

You may be a candidate for these treatments if you wish improve the appearance of volume loss, wrinkles and folds in following areas:

Temples, cheeks, deep nasolabial folds (known as smile lines), jowls, marionette lines, oral commissures, lips, earlobes, and hands.

What can I expect?

Facial assessment and mapping.
We will evaluate the the degree of skin damage and volume loss, assess the areas of your face to be enhanced and restored. We will discuss the aging process with you from the three-dimensional view point, and not just “the wrinkles”. We will create a comprehensive plan, tailored to your needs and aesthetical views. The topical numbing cream will be used for the sensitive areas like lips for your comfort. Using Accuvein infrared light, we will perform facial veins mapping, to locate and avoid veins, to minimize bruising and reduce healing time. The before and after pictures will be taken and kept in your file for future evaluation. We will use blunt, flexible cannulas that greatly reduce the risk of swelling, bruising, lumps and bumps.

When do I see the results and how long do they last?

You will see the volume increase immediately. However, it takes filler 2-4 weeks to hydrate and integrate into your tissues. The results last six months up to two years. The longevity of treatment is dependent on many factors including the amount of filler, the type of filler used, the area of treatment, vigorous exercise and your natural metabolism. The most “movable” areas, such as lips, may require re-treatment sooner due to frequent use of the muscles of the mouth. Chewing gum will decrease the longevity of your lip filler. Smoking has been associated with premature skin aging, so it is contradictory to a dermal filler longevity. Over time, hyaluronic acid slowly breaks down, the same way the body metabolizes its own natural hyaluronic acid.