What are the risks of dermal fillers?

The decision to use fillers is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of dermal fillers are acceptable.

Your plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain, in detail, any risks.

You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure, as well as the risks and potential complications.

Severe complications from dermal fillers are uncommon. Potential risks vary depending on the specific filler used and the relative permanence of the filler substance and include:

• Acne-like skin eruptions
• Asymmetry
• Bleeding from the injection site
• Bruising
• Damage to the skin that results in a wound and possible scarring
• Infection at the injection site
• Lumps
• Palpability of the filler under the surface of the skin
• Skin necrosis (ulceration or loss of skin from disruption of blood flow)
• Skin rash with itching
• Skin redness
• Swelling
• Under- or over-correction of wrinkles

In very rare cases, the filler may accidentally be injected into your blood vessels instead of under your skin. This can block blood flow. What happens if your blood flow is blocked will vary depending on where the block is. If your skin is affected, you might have skin loss or wounds. If your eye is affected, you might lose your eyesight or go blind.

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent.

It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon, including those complications requiring urgent care. Although good results are expected from your procedure, there is no guarantee that you will be satisfied with your results. Because significant complications can occur from dermal filler injections, it is important to be in the care of a board certified plastic surgeon who understands the risks and is trained and prepared to deal with any complications that may occur.

In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single procedure. Most fillers do dissipate over time. To maintain your correction, you will need to consider repeating the injection process at intervals.