Minor complications This is particularly common if the filler is not injected deep enough into the skin. They could cause a bluish colour due to a phenomenon called the Tyndall effect, and this is often clearly evident in the area just beneath the eyes. This discolouration can last for years.
The Tyndall effect happens when too much hyaluronic acid filler is placed too superficially. Light that shines on your skin may then develop a bluish discoloration. This effect can happen when too much is asked of filler, and it is injected just under the skin's surface to break or smooth out lines.
Incorrect intramuscular injections can lead to nerve damage, muscle atrophy, and severe complications, making proper technique essential for safe administration.
Traditionally, we want to aim for our injection depth to be in the deep dermal or immediate subdermal plane, at the junction of the dermis and the hypodermis.
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.
The best results of dermal fillers are seen typically 1 to 2 weeks post treatment with some of the swelling and bruising dissipating by then. It could take up to 4 weeks for everything to completely settle down, at which point you will notice the results you're expecting.
Filler Danger Zones
Glabellar region (just above the nose and between the eyebrows) Temporal fossa (area around the temples bordered by the outer eye socket, upper cheekbone, hairline, and forehead)
Like the lips, the nasolabial folds have more nerve endings running through the area than other areas. The area also frequently moves, so this can cause more soreness after the injections.
Vascular complications occur as result of inadvertent arterial injection of filler material and could result in serious injury in the form of cutaneous necrosis, blindness, or stroke.
Signs of a Wrong Intramuscular Injection
Swelling. Potential infection. Nerve ending damage. Abscesses at the injection site.
Injection depth is an important parameter influencing absorption rate after intramuscular injection. A too shallow injection will, especially in the gluteal region, only reach the subcutaneous fat layer.
Over time, as facial movement increases in areas like the lips or cheeks, it causes the filler to break down and dissolve at a quicker rate. This makes the filler disappear faster in more active areas of the face. So how long do dermal fillers last?
“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.
Common danger zones include the glabellar region, temporal fossa, infraorbital region, perioral region, lips, oral commissure, nasal area, and areas with major arteries like the supratrochlear, supraorbital, infraorbital foramen, mental foramen, facial artery, and deep temporal arteries.
Sleep on Your Back or Side: To minimize pressure on the treated areas, it is best to sleep on your back or side for the first 24 to 48 hours. This positioning helps ensure that the filler settles evenly and integrates smoothly with the surrounding tissues.
Signs of nerve damage after fillers
Dr Lindsay informs, “Often a patient with a nerve injury will initially report a sharp electric shooting, burning, itching, tingling or a pins and needles sensation.
Specifically, the six danger zones are the glabellar area, temporal region, lip and perioral area, nasolabial fold area, nasal area and the infraorbital area.
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.
The FDA has warned against getting filler injected into the breasts, buttocks, or spaces between the muscles. Using injectable filler for large-scale body contouring or body enhancement can lead to serious injury, including long-term pain, infection, permanent scarring or disfigurement, and even death.
So, in essence, there is a 'sweet spot' timeframe, typically a few weeks to a couple of months after the treatment, where dermal fillers often look their best. During this period, any initial swelling or bruising has healed, and the filler has had time to settle into its most natural state.
Fillers remain moldable for 1-2 weeks, and pressure can deform your filler. The most common culprits? The face cradle on massage tables, tight ski goggles and swim goggles. Normal activities like washing your face or putting on make-up do not have enough force to mold your filler.
Wait 3-5 Days Before Laying On Your Side After Filler Injections. On average, dermal fillers take about 3 – 5 days to settle into place. Allowing time for the filler to settle is fundamental to achieving long-lasting and optimal results.