RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS

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• Although a very thin needle is used, common injection-related reactions could occur. These could include: some initial swelling, pain, itching, discoloration, bruising or tenderness at the injection site. You could experience increased bruising or bleeding at the injection site if you are using substances that reduce blood clotting such as aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil®. These reactions generally lessen or disappear within a few days but may last for two weeks or longer.

• As with all injections, this procedure carries the risk of infection. The syringe is sterile and standard precautions associated with injectable materials will be taken. If infection happens you will need oral antibiotics for treatment.

• Reactivation of Herpes (cold sores) especially if injections are done in and around the lips. To prevent this, it is recommended that you take medications starting 2 days prior to treatment.

• Some visible lumps may occur temporarily following the injection and they usually resolve after a few weeks. But sometimes bigger lumps may last for a very long time (granuloma formation) and this may be related to chronic infections or inflammatory response of the body to the filler. The granulomas can be dissolved with an enzyme if needed or may need to be extracted surgically. If the filler is applied too superficially or the skin is too thin it would look blue/purple (Tyndall effect).

• Allergic Reactions and Hypersensitivity: As with all biologic products, allergic and systemic anaphylactic reactions may occur. Fillers should not be used in patients with a history of multiple severe allergies, severe allergies manifested by a history of anaphylaxis, or allergies to gram-positive bacterial proteins. Allergic reactions may require additional treatment. Some patients may experience allergic reactions and additional swelling or tenderness at the injection site and in rare occasions, pustules might form. These reactions might last for 2 weeks or longer, and in severe cases may need to be treated with oral corticosteroids or other medications.

• Under / Over Correction: The injection of soft tissue fillers to correct wrinkles and soft tissue contour deficiencies may not achieve the desired outcome. The amount of correction may be inadequate or excessive. It may not be possible to control the process of injection of tissue fillers due to factors attributable to each patient’s situation. If under correction occurs, you may be advised to consider additional injections of tissue filler materials.

• Asymmetry: The human face is normally asymmetrical in its appearance and anatomy. It may not be possible to achieve or maintain exact symmetry with tissue filer injections. There can be a variation from one side to the other in terms of the response to injection. Addressing this may require additional injections.

• On very rare occasions the dermal filler may be accidentally injected into a blood vessel and if this happens, occlusion of the blood vessel and necrosis of the skin supplied by the vessel can happen. Also, if the dermal filler finds its way into the arteries of the eye it can cause blindness. These are very rare occasions and risk of them is estimated to be 0.1-1 per 1000, 000 injections. If this happens an enzyme will be injected in the area to dissolve the filler, warm compress and vigorous massaging will be applied to the area to help reverse the problem, but it is not always successful.

• Dermal fillers should not be used in patients who have experienced hypersensitivity, those with severe allergies, and should not be used in areas with active inflammation or infections (e.g., cysts, pimples, rashes or hives).

• If you are considering laser treatment, chemical skin peeling or any other procedure based on a skin response after dermal filler treatment, or you have recently had such treatments and the skin has not healed completely, there is a possible risk of an inflammatory reaction at the implant site. These treatments should be at least two weeks apart.

• Most patients are pleased with the results of dermal fillers use. However, like any cosmetic procedure, there is no guarantee that you will be completely satisfied. There is no guarantee that wrinkles and folds will disappear completely, or that you will not require additional treatment to achieve the results you seek. While the effects of Dermal fillers use can last longer than other comparable treatments, the procedure is still temporary. Additional treatments will be required periodically, generally within 4-6 months to one year, involving additional injections for the effect to continue.

• After treatment, you should minimize exposure of the treated area to excessive sun or UV lamp exposure and extreme cold weather until any initial swelling or redness has gone away.