Swelling – this is an excessive accumulation of fluid in the cells or intercellular space. Edema is one of the main elements of the inflammatory process, and therefore it plays an important role in the implementation of the protective mechanisms of our body.
Edema is an invariable companion of injury, and therefore of all injection procedures. And although edema is classified as a post-injection complication, it is a completely normal reaction to tissue trauma, albeit minor.
The hydrophilic properties of hyaluronic acid fillers also contribute to the occurrence of edema. Read about how to minimize the occurrence of edema, as well as how to speed up their disappearance, on estet-portal.com in this article.
Swelling after filler injection: main causes
The development of edema after injection of fillers and the degree of their severity may depend on many factors, namely:
• on the patient's age, lifestyle, bad habits and chronic diseases;
• from taking certain medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal drugs;
• from the dermal filler itself. Quality fillers, such as JUVEDERM from of Allergan, contain low molecular weight stabilized hyaluronic acid, which minimizes the risk of developing edema when using them;
•& on the features of the introduction of the filler: the volume of the injected drug, the speed of injection, the injection zone.
In general, swelling is normal after injection of dermal fillers.
The larger the area of injection of the filler – the more likely the development of edema.
Injection of a large amount of dermal filler increases the likelihood of edema.
Swelling after fillers:
• clinical features of the manifestation of edema after the use of fillers;
• Minimizing the risk of edema after filler injections;
• edema correction tactics after fillers application.
Clinical features of edema manifestation after fillers application
Most of all, such areas of the face as the lips, periorbital and zygomatic region are prone to the occurrence of edema. In this regard, when working in these areas, the doctor should be especially delicate and careful. It is also important to understand that there are patients who are initially prone to edema.
When working with such people, it is very important to follow all preventive measures, as well as to advise them not to abuse contouring.
Sometimes swelling can be an indicator of whether the doctor has injected enough filler. If the patient likes the result immediately after the procedure more than a week after it — then, most likely, he may need additional correction.
The article was written on the recommendations of a dermatologist, cosmetologist at the Dermed clinic; - Relina Tatiana.
Minimizing the risk of edema after filler injections
To minimize the risk of edema, the first thing to do is:
• take a detailed history, find out what medications the patient is taking. If a person came to you for the first time, it is important to find out if he had contour plastic before, and what drugs he was injected with;
• notify the patient before the procedure of all possible side effects and
After contouring, massage is recommended for better distribution of the filler. However, experts differ on this issue — on the one hand, intensive massage injures the tissues more, which contributes to an additional increase in edema, but at the same time, it is necessary to prevent the occurrence of post-injection nodules and seals.
Edematous correction tactics after fillers
Swelling occurring within the first two weeks after the injection does not require special treatment. A light
lymphatic drainage massage may be recommended to speed up the outflow of excess fluid. However, sometimes edema can be provoked not only by tissue microtraumatization, but also by an allergic reaction. In this case, antihistamines are prescribed, or, with severe edema, corticosteroids.
If swelling occurs two weeks after injection, or persists for more than two weeks, the cause must be identified.
Superficial placement of the filler may be misinterpreted as edema.
Hyaluronidase is the best solution for filler placement on the surface. Thus, in order to minimize the risk of edema, the physician should use low molecular weight hyaluronic acid fillers, such as JUVEDERM preparations provided by
Allergan. It is also important to control the amount of dermal filler injected, and remember that swelling – this is a completely normal phenomenon that can accompany any injection procedure.
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