Cheek Fillers Gone Wrong

Cheek Fillers Gone Wrong

In recent years, Dermal fillers have become more popular than ever. In fact, last year they were among the top performed aesthetic treatments across the globe. Used correctly, they can plump the cheeks, smooth fine lines, and wrinkles, and enhance the lips. However, cheek fillers gone wrong can look bizarre, and even put your patient at risk of serious complications.  

What Complications can Arise?

In recent years, there has been a real uptick in the media with stories of cheek fillers gone wrong. The truth is, there are several complications that can arise from the improper use of dermal fillers. Complications may include:

• Necrosis infection 

• Filler migration

• Lumps

• Unnatural/ bizarre results

These risks can be minimized or avoided with professional technique, and a good understanding of the facial anatomy. It is also very important you select the right dermal filler for the area. With so many different filler variations on the market, it can be hard to narrow it down. We can help you there.  Usually, for cheek filler it is advised you use something like Juvéderm or Restylane, which are both based on Hyaluronic acid. 

What happens with cheek fillers gone wrong?

Besides the more severe complications, cheek fillers gone wrong can look very unnatural and often bizarre. With dermal filler, a little goes a long way so when you use too much the results can make the face appear very overinflated and swollen. In industry, this swollen appearance is often referred to as ‘pillow face.’

Before performing dermal fillers on your patients, make sure you hold an open discussion to plan treatment for that patient, and ensure dermal filler would be suitable and safe to address their concerns. 

How to Treat cheek filler gone wrong

If your patient has an overinflated face, with too much dermal filler it is possible to dissolve the filler. Hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers like Juvéderm, Restylane and Belotero can be dissolved using Hyaluronidase. This occurs in the skin naturally, but it can be injected at higher concentrations in order to rapidly dissolve and remove unwanted filler.

Overall, most filler will dissolve within 48-72 hours, but this depends on how much filler was present to begin with. If there are large quantities of filler, it may take up to two weeks to completely dissolve and revert to natural. 

If you are looking at treating dermal filler that appears lumpy on your patients face, it may also be possible to simply even out the uneven look by adding more filler strategically for a more balanced appearance. 

If, however you are faced with adverse effects from cheek fillers gone wrong, including infections you should look at using hyaluronidase or steroid injections to dissolve and treat the affected area. This should be performed as soon as possible to stop infection spreading. If the infection spreads, this could become life-threatening for a patient. In some cases, you may need to use a combination of hyaluronidase, steroid injections, and fluorouracil plus allopurinol orally.  

When performing dermal fillers, always ensure you are adhering to proper, professional practice and that you are using the correct dermal filler designed for the specific area. 

For more information on dermal fillers, or help to select the best ones for your clinic, contact us at Fillers Direct.