Facial fillers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a non-surgical option for facial rejuvenation. But are they safe? In this article, we'll explore the potential risks and side effects of facial fillers, as well as the dangers of buying fillers online. Facial fillers are injectable substances used to reduce wrinkles, improve superficial contours, and add volume to the face. Common side effects reported in clinical trials include facial weakness, drooping eyelids, and drooping eyebrows. Other side effects may include localized pain, swelling, redness, and bruising at the injection site.
Rarely, injections can cause double vision, dry eyes, difficulty swallowing or breathing. One risk is that fillers purchased online may contain a variety of non-sterile substances, such as hair gel. When injected, these substances can cause allergic reactions, infections, and death of skin cells. Another risk is that an improper injection technique can lead not only to swelling and lumping but also to more serious side effects such as death of skin cells and embolism leading to blindness. The FDA has issued an official warning urging consumers never to buy dermal fillers on the Internet as they may be false, contaminated or harmful. According to research published in Aesthetics, long-acting dermal fillers have higher rates of complications such as infections and nodules.
To prevent the body from breaking down the filler in a matter of hours or days, the hyaluronic acid in fillers is “cross-linked” using a specific technology. In addition, there are rare side effects such as infection, leakage of the filler through the injection site, nodules around the injection site, granulomas, movement of the filler under the skin, and injury to the blood vessels. In addition to skin tightening, excessive use of fillers can lead to longer-term damage including lip wrinkles and altered attachment of facial fat pads and some degree of irregularity and aging of the skin. At first, the hyaluronic acid used in the fillers was of animal origin from the crests of roosters (before that many fillers contained bovine collagen). Lately we have heard horror stories; inexperienced practitioners using unregulated fillers that cause frostbite of the face, numbness, blindness (globally about 50 cases of blindness have been reported after cosmetic facial injection) and even death. This filler is different from other fillers because its results are gradual; volumizing occurs over several months as it stimulates the body to produce collagen.
Adverse side effects usually last as long as the facial filler is on the skin so although some have short-term side effects more permanent fillers can cause lifelong adverse effects. While many facial fillers provide immediate results according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) some will require several treatments over the course of weeks or months for optimal benefits followed by occasional touch-ups. Facial muscles also decrease in volume and elasticity and deflation and movement of facial fat further accentuate signs of aging. Demand for dermal fillers and the variety of dermal fillers have increased dramatically over the past two decades. As a result soft tissue fillers are becoming increasingly important as non-surgical treatment options for facial rejuvenation. Dermal filler procedures can be costly prompting some consumers to turn to the online black market to buy DIY fillers. The cost of dermal filler treatments varies and depends on the provider performing them the area being treated and the type of filler selected.
