What happens if filler goes wrong?

Author: Prof. Jazmyne Koss II  |  Last update: Friday, October 24, 2025

Adverse reactions from facial fillers most commonly include prolonged swelling, asymmetry, bruising, and lumps or bumps. These can be embarrassing but are not serious in terms of health risks. Rarer, severe symptoms may include allergic reactions, blindness due to embolism, and death of skin cells.

How do I know if my fillers have gone wrong?

The following are signs to watch out for: Discolouration – the area may turn blue or dark purple several hours after getting fillers. Pain – you may experience unusual and severe pain. Cool to touch – it happens later, and the area may feel cooler than the surrounding areas.

Can anything go wrong with fillers?

The most serious risk associated with dermal fillers is accidental injection into a blood vessel. Filler that enters a blood vessel can cause skin necrosis (death of tissue), stroke, or blindness.

What are the red flags after fillers?

Signs to look for include pain at the injection site and discolouration of skin (pale or deep red) for up to a few hours after filler injection.

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.

When Filler Goes Wrong, Is it Easy to Fix?

What does vascular occlusion look like immediately?

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.

How quickly does necrosis occur after fillers?

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.

How do you know if your body is rejecting filler?

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.

What is a pillow face?

“Pillow face” occurs when too much filler is injected into areas like the cheeks, nasolabial folds (the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth), lips, and under-eye area. This repeated overfilling can result in a bloated, round appearance that looks far from natural.

What is forbidden after filler?

After your first dermal filler appointment, you want to avoid any hot and humid place. For example, don't rush to the sauna or a hot tub right after your treatment. The high heat makes swelling in your face a lot worse.

What is the riskiest filler?

Here are the top areas doctors agree are the riskiest.
  • The glabella. The glabellar lines or as many people say, the “11s” between your brows are a traditional and common spot for neurotoxin injections. ...
  • The under-eyes. ...
  • The bridge of the nose. ...
  • The temples. ...
  • View our Before & After Gallery.

What is not normal after fillers?

Late complications are defined as those appearing after about 2-6 weeks. They comprise late allergic reactions, chronic inflammation and infection, granulomas, filler migration, loss of function, telangiectasia, and hypertrophic scars. A detailed history may disclose a potential allergy.

What if I am unhappy with my filler results?

If you're less than thrilled with your filler results—at any time, for whatever reason—talk with your injector. They should be “guiding you through the injectables process, not only during the procedure but afterward too,” says London-based plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Ashwin Soni.

What do bad fillers look like?

Adverse reactions from facial fillers most commonly include prolonged swelling, asymmetry, bruising, and lumps or bumps. These can be embarrassing but are not serious in terms of health risks. Rarer, severe symptoms may include allergic reactions, blindness due to embolism, and death of skin cells.

When should I be worried about fillers?

Increased redness, pain, swelling and heat around the lips hint at an infection. The presence of pus is also very worrying, and a professional must be consulted as quickly as possible.

Why do people with fillers look puffy?

Similarly, when too much filler is injected, it can stretch the skin and create an unnatural puffiness. This is especially true in delicate areas like the under-eyes, where the skin is thinner and more prone to stretching. Over time, this can contribute to pillow face syndrome and necessitate pillow face correction.

What is the Ozempic face?

Ozempic face is a colloquial term, not a medically recognized condition. It describes the facial changes that can accompany rapid weight loss when using medications like Ozempic or another version of the same drug (generic name semaglutide) FDA-approved for weight-loss treatment.

What happened to Ryan Gosling's face?

It's worth noting that his face has not changed much over the years and the only noticeable difference is the slight difference in his nose shape. Although Ryan Gosling has never confirmed or denied any rumors about plastic surgery. However, it's also possible that his good looks are natural.

How do I know if my fillers are botched?

To know if your filler is botched, you should look out for signs such as lumps or irregularities in the skin, unevenness between sides of the face, pain or tenderness in the area, discoloration or bruising at the injection site, and redness or swelling around the area.

Why I stopped doing fillers?

The decision to stop using dermal fillers is personal and can be due to the desire for a more natural look or dissatisfaction with previous treatments. Excessive filler use can lead to tissue integration and “microcystic expansion effects,” causing potential aesthetic concerns over time.

What is a late reaction to fillers?

Delayed-onset (late) inflammatory reactions (DIRs), such as nodules, granulomas, and edema, have been reported after injection of almost any dermal filler but are more common when using permanent fillers.

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.

What is lip ischemia after fillers?

In the context of lip fillers, vascular occlusion happens if injected filler material accidentally enters or compresses a blood vessel, disrupting its normal circulation. If left untreated, this blockage can lead to tissue ischemia and, in severe cases, necrosis.

What is Tyndall effect filler?

What is the Tyndall effect? The Tyndall effect is a rare phenomenon in which a patient's skin takes on a bluish tone after he or she receives dermal fillers. This discoloration is most often visible in the skin below the eyes due to the area's thin skin.

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