How do I know if my fillers are infected?

Author: Harmony Fahey  |  Last update: Monday, September 22, 2025

The initial infected symptoms include pain along with tenderness and redness. These signs will typically occur within the first week between days 2 and 6. The formation of an abscess occurs between day 6 and 14. Normal post-procedural inflammation has some overlap but tends to peak at 6 hours and then start to reduce.

How do you know if you have an infection from fillers?

If your recently plump pout starts feeling painful, swollen or warm, it could signal an infection brewing under the surface. Common signs to watch out for in the first week after treatment include redness, pain, warmth or excessive swelling at the injection site. This signals your body fighting an invading microbe.

What are the red flags after fillers?

As with any medical procedure, there are risks involved with the use of dermal fillers. Most side effects associated with dermal fillers, such as swelling and bruising occur shortly after injection and many resolve in a few days to weeks. In some cases, side effects may emerge weeks, months, or years later.

How do you get rid of filler infection?

[9] Infection should be immediately treated with antibiotics and usually responds quickly. Granuloma formation is unpredictable but depends on the material used.

How do you know if your body is rejecting fillers?

If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction after a filler injection, such as tenderness, swelling or asymmetrical fullness, seek medical attention immediately. Ask your doctor to test for allergies to the injectable fillers and/or the liquid gel in which they are suspended.

How do I know if my patient has an infection following dermal fillers and how do I treat this?

How do I know if my fillers have gone wrong?

A bad cheek filler injection may cause persistent swelling or puffiness in the treated area. Individuals may also experience having a pillow face or sunset eyes which can result from overfilling the cheeks. It may also cause allergic reaction symptoms, facial asymmetry, infection, and skin discoloration.

What are the first signs of vascular occlusion from fillers?

What are the symptoms of vascular occlusion?
  • Pain or discomfort at the site of the blockage.
  • Swelling.
  • Changes to your skin color; red (erythema) to blueish-purple or white spots (blanching).
  • Cool temperature to the affected area of your skin.

Does drinking water help fillers settle?

Drink water

Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated helps the filler integrate into your lips' tissues better for a more optimal outcome.

What is a late onset inflammatory response to fillers?

Late-onset inflammatory response occurs at least 2 months after HA injection, and presents as diffuse, firm, red, nonfluctuant inflammation of all areas containing the dermal filler. Patients are otherwise systemically well.

What does the start of a vascular occlusion look like?

Vascular occlusion warning signs (2): pallor

After the initial injection, the next sign of a problem with a VO is usually pallor. In the case of a true, complete vascular occlusion, pallor is very stark, particularly in lips. There will be a grey patch on the lip that sometimes has zero capillary refill.

When should I seek medical attention after fillers?

Severe or persistent pain: If the pain at the injection site is really bad or doesn't go away with over-the-counter pain meds, talk to your doctor. Extreme swelling: While some swelling is normal, if it's really bad or getting worse quickly, especially with redness or warmth, get in touch with your doctor.

What does an allergic reaction to fillers look like?

Common symptoms include swelling or redness at the injection site. Itchiness or a rash are also signs that a reaction may be occurring. In severe (and rare) cases, an allergic reaction may cause difficulty breathing or a drop in blood pressure, causing you to feel faint or dizzy.

What are the symptoms of filler biofilm infection?

The number of infections after HA dermal filler injections is very small. Only 13 cases that were considered a possible activation of an existing biofilm were found. The main symptoms consisted in swelling, induration, rash and granulomas [10–14].

Does filler necrosis happen immediately?

The symptoms of ischemia can occur immediately after the injection or several hours after the procedure. Here, the authors report three cases of necrosis after hyaluronic acid injection with the first symptoms presenting only several hours after the procedure.

Why do I feel sick after fillers?

You must seek medical attention and contact your practitioner if you experience any signs or symptoms of infection after treatment. Infection can present as hot, red shiny skin, there may be pus formation and you may have a fever or feel generally unwell.

What happens if you don't drink enough water after fillers?

Drink plenty of water. HA based fillers such as Juvederm work by using the water naturally stored in our tissues, by drinking plenty of water after having a dermal filler treatment it helps the filler hold its chaos and last for longer. Juvederm actually attracts water from to keep your filler looking fresh and full.

What makes fillers go away faster?

There are a number of factors that affect dermal filler longevity, though this differs from person to person. Generally, areas with more movement tend to break down faster in comparison to other areas of the face with less movement. Lifestyle factors like smoking and exercise can affect the longevity of dermal filler.

Does retinol break down fillers?

In the 24-48 hours following your filler injections, it's recommended to avoid active cosmeceutical products such as AHAs, retinol, and vitamin C, as well as oil-based makeup. These products can potentially cause irritation or interfere with the settling period of the filler material under your skin.

What are the first signs of impending necrosis?

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF NECROSIS
  • Pain. 2,3,5,6,7 Severe pain is usually experienced by the patient when necrosis ensues. ...
  • Prolonged blanching. 2,3,5,7 When the vasculature is affected, the area will often initially look very pale, white, or dusky due to the reduction in blood supply. ...
  • Dusky, purple discoloration. ...
  • Coolness.

How to tell the difference between bruising and vascular occlusion?

The most important sign of occlusion is poor capillary return on the affected area. In comparison, a bruise will have quick capillary return. The bruising is contained in a certain location and takes on a relatively defined shape, as opposed to discoloration, spreading and a mottled appearance.

Why do I feel tingly after fillers?

The skin might become splotchy, or might become pale, numb or “tingly”. In these instance tell your injector immediately. It can happen several hours after the injection, when the vessel finally becomes occluded, but that is rare.

How to tell if filler is infected?

The initial infected symptoms include pain along with tenderness and redness. These signs will typically occur within the first week between days 2 and 6. The formation of an abscess occurs between day 6 and 14. Normal post-procedural inflammation has some overlap but tends to peak at 6 hours and then start to reduce.

Can vascular occlusion happen after a week?

Vascular occlusion is one of the rare complications of dermal filler treatment. It may happen as early as receiving the injectable filler or as late as 24 hours post-treatment. When left untreated, this condition can lead to more serious complications, like blindness, necrosis, and stroke.

What medications should I avoid after fillers?

Stay away from unnecessary blood thinners. Several medications reduce the likelihood of blood clots. Aspirin, Advil (ibuprofen), and Aleve are some of widely used blood thinners among patients. It's recommended to stop taking blood thinners 7 days before and a day after your dermal filler session.

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