Dermal filler injections have emerged as a treatment of choice for millions of people seeking anti-aging skin care procedures for the face that do not involve surgery. The procedure avoids all the risks and complications that are typically associated with a surgery. As a result, a growing number of people choose dermal fillers for facial rejuvenation.
However, it is still important for a patient to have a clear understanding of the potential risks and side effects of filler treatments before they make a decision. A responsible provider will apprise the patient of these risks during the initial consultation. Experienced dermatologist Dr. Steven Zimmet provides dermal filler injections to patients in Austin, TX, and surrounding communities.
Biocompatible Fillers
Many of the popular facial filler injections available today are based on hyaluronic acid (HA), which is a biocompatible compound. HA occurs naturally in the body to perform the role of supporting the skin structure. Several FDA approved fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero Balance and Voluma have HA as their active ingredient.
As a result, no prior skin allergy tests are necessary while receiving HA-based filler treatments. But if the patient chooses a filler that includes animal extracts, such as bovine collagen, the treatment provider may have to order an allergy test before administering these injections.
Stronger dermal fillers such as Radiesse, which includes calcium compound microspheres, and Scultpra Aesthetic, which is based on poly-L-lactic acid, are also considered safe fillers. Unless the patient has a history of skin allergies, the dermatology treatment provider may not require a prior allergy test to be performed before administering these fillers.
Signs of Abnormal Side Effects
In the post-treatment phase, the patient should be alert to the signs of any abnormal side effects or reactions. The dermatologist will guide them about this beforehand. Although the chances of these side effects occurring are rare, but the patient should still be alert in the first few days after the treatment and contact the provider if these signs are noticed:
- Swelling, bruising and redness have not subsided even after a week, and continue to be severe. This could indicate an infection or an allergic reaction.
- Pain in the injection sites as well as asymmetry persists even after a week to 10 days.
- Nodules or bumps in and around the injection areas have emerged.
The patient should diligently follow the post-treatment care instructions given by the dermatologist in order to minimize the risks.
Risk Mitigation
To begin with, the patient should select a qualified and experienced dermatologist to receive dermal filler injections. The appropriate fillers should be chosen for specific facial sites, and the gel should be administered in correct volumes. Smooth consistency fillers should be chosen for sensitive areas such as under the eyes.
Dermal filler treatment should be avoided for pregnant and breastfeeding women. If the patient is a smoker, they should avoid smoking for a few days prior to the filler treatment. Dr. Zimmet receives patients from Austin, TX, and other smaller cities and suburbs across the horizon for dermal filler injections.
If you would like to learn more about the procedures and treatments by Austin TX Cosmetic Dermatologist, Dr. Steven Zimmet, please contact us at (512) 485-7700.