Cosmetic enhancements to address the signs of aging are becoming more and more popular. Dermal fillers are injectable substances that are placed under the skin to plump it up, increasing volume and reducing the depth of wrinkles and creases. More dermal fillers are available than ever before. Each new substance brings its own list of advantages and disadvantages. Side effects, though rare, are often the patient's biggest concern.
Local Injection Site Reactions
In an article published in the December 2007 issue of "Clinical Interventions in Aging," Paul Edwards and John Fantasia note that acute inflammatory responses, typically of short duration, occur in most patients who receive dermal fillers derived from hyaluronic acid. The inflammatory response manifests as bruising, pain and swelling in the area around the injection site, and is most common in lip augmentation procedures.
Allergic Reactions
Sometimes the injection of a foreign substance, such as a dermal filler, induces an allergic response. This happens when the cells respond to the filler as if it were a harmful substance from which the body must defend itself. Histamines released by the affected cells cause swelling in the area, as fluids and white blood cells gather in an attempt to ward off the foreign substance.
In extreme allergic reactions, anaphylaxis can occur. This is a life-threatening condition characterized by respiratory difficulties; swelling of the lips, tongue and throat; light-headedness; and possible loss of consciousness.
In an article published in Dermatology Online in 2008, Dr. Kevin Smith, notes that many physicians stock hyaluronidase, a substance that reverses the effects of certain dermal fillers, in order to deal with allergic reactions that those fillers may trigger.
Chronic Inflammation
Edwards and Fantasia document occurrences of chronic inflammation in some patients who have been treated with dermal fillers. Granulomatous inflammation occurs when the body's immune system responds to a foreign substance by walling it off in a capsule of immune cells. This causes small nodules to form in the affected area.
Herpes Outbreaks
Edwards and Fantasia warn that outbreaks of recurrent herpes have appeared on lips that have been augmented with non-animal derived hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Restylane.
Ulceration of the Injection Site
Ulceration of the injection site is a rare complication that occurs when an artery has inadvertently been blocked by the injected materials. The glabella, or area between the eyebrows, has been most prone to this side effect. In an article published in "The Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery" in 2008, researchers Maya Vedamurthy and Amar Vedamurthy warn that tissue death can occur when blood supply to the area is blocked.
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