Unlike under eye treatments like chemical peels, microneedling, surgery, or laser treatments, dermal fillers offer subtle and natural-looking results with minimal discomfort and no downtime.
Moreover, under eye fillers are customizable and effective for addressing multiple under eye concerns like tear troughs, dark circles, fine lines, and volume loss. Nonetheless, under-eye fillers can have complications.
Yes, under eye fillers are an attractive option among many because they are known to have a low risk of complications. However, complications do surface for various reasons. To help you avoid or manage potential under-eye complications, we’ve covered 10 under eye filler complications and the precautionary measures to avoid them.
10 Under Eye Filler Complications
Given the sensitive and delicate nature of the under-eye region, you are required to seek the services of a certified and experienced filler injector. The injector is expected to, by default, ensure procedure safety. Nevertheless, complications may still occur. They start with mild symptoms or signs, gradually becoming more complex to address.
Following the procedure, ensure you closely monitor the filler-filled region. If you notice any signs or symptoms of these complications, promptly reach out to your aesthetician or injector.
1. Overfilling
Under eye filler injections require utmost accuracy or precision. From the injection technique to the amount of filler injected into a specific section of the under-eye region. This is because the skin within this region is thin and delicate.
Even though rare, an expert injector may also misjudge the amount of filler needed for a particular region. When this happens, the injector ends up releasing too much filler into the under eye area, making the area look swollen or puffy. This is what we call filler overfilling or overdoing.
Overfilling creates an exaggerated and unnatural appearance, with the tear trough skin looking overly tight or stretched. Facial expressions like smiling reveal the bulging or lumpy look. And, you seem aged or weary rather than renewed or youthful.
Fortunately, hyaluronidase is used to resolve cases of filler overfilling. It is an enzyme capable of dissolving hyaluronic acid fillers. In case you get a different type of filler, you may have to wait for your body to naturally break it down.
2. Asymmetry
As highlighted, under eye skin is delicate and thin, requiring accuracy and precision to evenly distribute filler material. Sometimes, the opposite happens. The injector may fail to inject the fillers deep enough or evenly distribute filler material. This leaves the under eye region with visibly displeasing irregularities.
Irregularities may also result from filler material migration, especially when injected superficially. Filler material may shift from the under-eye area to the cheeks or other sections of the face, creating lumps or puffiness.
In some cases, lumps are later discovered to be granulomas — firm and raised lumps that form after about a week or months. They are as a result of the immune system viewing filler material as foreign substances. And, though rare and painless, they are aesthetically concerning.
Like overfilling, an experienced injector uses hyaluronidase to correct asymmetry or lumps resulting from the uneven distribution of hyaluronic acid fillers. For other filler types, you may have to wait until the body breaks down the fillers.
Alternatively, the injector may massage the treated area to redistribute fillers or inject more filler to even out the irregularities. For granulomas, the injector may include corticosteroid injections to manage inflammation.
3. Bruising
Besides its delicate and thin nature, the under-eye region is highly vascular. This increases the possibility of the needle or microcannula used for injecting fillers irritating or hitting the vessels. When either injection tool hits blood vessels, the blood leaks to the surrounding tissue, resulting in an under eye filler complication we call bruising.
Bruising signs include purple, blue, or red discoloration around the injected region. The discoloration varies based on the degree of blood vessel damage, with severe bruising resulting in profound and dark discoloration resembling dark circles.
To reduce the possibility of bruising, avoid blood-thinning supplements or medication before the injection procedure. Blood thinners like fish oil or aspirin are known to slow down or temporarily impair clotting. So, even a minor injury that’s expected to cloth quickly would keep leaking blood to the surrounding tissue for long.
Most times, using cold compress right after getting under-eye fillers resolves bruising. Using vitamin K cream or arnica products also helps. Arnica contains flavonoids and helenalin believed to stimulate circulation, reducing the discoloration.
4. Skin stretching or thinning
Apart from being a standalone complication, filler overfilling pushes the thin under-eye skin outward, making it look puffy or smooth. If not resolved in time, the structure of the puffy section of the skin weakens, progressively losing its resilience and elasticity. As this progresses, the skin thins and stretches further to the point of no return.
In addition to overfilling, getting multiple under-eye filler treatments also contributes to skin thinning or stretching. Coupled with aging and other lifestyle factors like smoking, the under-eye skin progressively loses elasticity and becomes translucent or saggy.
Blood vessels may also become more visible, causing dark circles. So, you are supposed to avoid overfilling or if it occurs, ensure it’s resolved promptly. Also, regulate the number of times you get injectable under-eye fillers.
You are better off considering other under eye treatments like collagen stimulating or skin-tightening treatments like an under-eye thread lift to maintain that youthful look.
5. Allergic reaction
By default, the aesthetician should stick to hyaluronic acid fillers for under-eye rejuvenation. We discourage the use of other types of fillers, including Poly-L-Lactic and Calcium Hydroxylapatite fillers, because their effects are mostly irreversible.
Hyaluronic acid is a natural part of your skin, connective tissues, and synovial fluid. Plus, hyaluronidase helps reverse the effects of hyaluronic acid fillers in case of a complication. That’s why these fillers are recommended for addressing under-eye cosmetic issues. However, there’s a caveat!
The hyaluronic acid in the fillers, additives, or preservatives may trigger an allergic reaction. The reaction may occur minutes, weeks, or months after the injection, affecting the injection site or the entire body.
Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction include localized itching, swelling, or redness. In case an adverse reaction occurs, these symptoms may spread beyond the injection site, sometimes causing a systematic reaction such as difficulty breathing.
In case of a mild allergic reaction, antihistamines should help reduce redness and itching. Corticosteroids also help minimize inflammation. For extreme allergic reactions, you ought to seek prompt medical attention.
6. Edema
During filler injection into the under-eye region, a natural inflammatory response occurs as a result of the disruption of the surrounding tissues. This response leads to mild swelling that’s expected to resolve on its own. However, this is not always the case.
The swelling may enlarge with time or persist, resulting in a medical condition known as edema. A poor injection technique, overfilling, or an unexpected reaction to the filler material may also lead to this condition.
Edema leaves the under-eye area overly puffy or swollen, with regular facial movements likely to worsen the situation. You may use cold compress or antihistamines to address mild swelling. And, should the swelling (edema) not improve, have your injector examine the situation.
7. Infection
While not common, a bacterial infection may occur during or after the filler-injection procedure.
Even though your select injector is required to maintain a sterile environment during the procedure, even a minor lapse in hygiene is likely to lead to an infection.
Moreover, not following aftercare instructions may also introduce bacteria into the injection site. For instance, using makeup or other cosmetic products immediately after an under-eye filler procedure. Or, cleaning the treated area with a contaminated cloth.
Common signs of an infection include pain, swelling, or warmth at or around the treated section. The intensity of the signs increases with the severity of the infection, with a major infection leading to the development of pockets of pus or other serious under eye filler complications.
Sometimes, your select injector may recommend particular antibiotics to prevent varied infections. You ought to take the prescribed antibiotics diligently and follow all aftercare instructions to avoid the occurrence of an infection. Nonetheless, when an infection sets in, reach out to the injector promptly.
8. Hyperpigmentation
During the filler injection process, a needle is used to create an entry point through which the microcannula delivers fillers into the under-eye region.
At times, this process of creating an entry point and delivering fillers triggers an inflammatory response. Consequently, the inflammatory response triggers melanocytes to overproduce melanin, causing hyperpigmentation.
This under-eye filler complication is common among those with a dark complexion and manifests shortly or over time after the procedure. Signs include brownish discoloration or darkening of the under-eye section. If you have a dark skin tone, the discoloration is profound.
Remember, lengthy exposure to the sun after the procedure may also cause or step up the pigmentation process. That’s why your patients should avoid continuous exposure to the sun after getting under-eye fillers. Also, if they have a darker complexion, ensure you’re experienced with handling dark toned skin.
In most instances, mild hyperpigmentation should clear on itself as time passes. To support the recovery process, you may use topical skin-lightening agents such as hydroquinone that inhibits further melanin production. For adverse hyperpigmentation, laser treatments help break down melanin, evening out skin tone.
Of all the under eye filler complications, this one may result in a fatal outcome – blindness. This complication, also known as vascular occlusion, occurs when the injector uses a poor injection technique or lacks proper understanding of the face’s vascular structure.
A poor injection technique or minimal facial anatomical knowledge results in the injector depositings filler material into blood vessels. Or, injecting filler material close to a blood vessel, applying pressure on the blood vessels in question. This constraints blood flow to the surrounding tissue, leading to tissue necrosis if not addressed promptly.
In critical situations, the filler material may move along the blood vessels and into those supplying the eyes. Once the fillers block the vessels, your patient may experience partial or permanent blindness. That’s why you ought to watch for signs including whitening of the injection site coupled with severe pain. These signs indicate a lack of optimal blood flow to the surrounding tissue.
Capturing the symptoms of a vascular occlusion in time reduces the likelihood of filler material compromising the surrounding tissues or even your eyes.
10. Nerve damage
Among the under eye filler complications we’ve examined, this is the rarest. Nerve damage comes about after the practitioner unintentionally injects fillers too close to a nerve or the injection tool irritates a nerve. Using the wrong type of filler may also contribute to nerve damage.
Nerve damage may reduce or take away your ability to feel touch in specific sections of the under eye or manifest as a tingling sensation.
The intensity of the changes varies from mild to severe, with mild sensations fading after some time. Severe nerve damage cases, on the other hand, usually lead to permanent changes.
Wrapping Up
Without a doubt, under eye fillers have proven effective in offering customizable and immediate results. Moreover, they offer minimal to no risks, considering that the effects of hyaluronic acid are reversible in case a complication arises.
Despite their benefits and safety levels, under eye filler injections do have distinct complications. Remember, the goal is to avoid the complications detailed in this article. And, as a rule of thumb, always monitor the injection site after the procedure to capture any signs of a developing complication.
Boost Your Radiance by Minimizing Under Eye Filler Complications
After performing an under eye filler injection procedure, you ought to follow aftercare instructions diligently. In addition to this, you should support the healing process with the help of moisturizing or spot clearing products. These products keep the under eye area supple and spotless respectively.
We believe in the need for high quality and risk free products. That’s why we are committed to research, production, and distribution of effective moisturizing products. Our CE and ISO certified and approved hyaluronic acid essence offers long-lasting moisture lock, rejuvenating your skin further after an under eye filler procedure. Enjoy up to 8 hours of radiance and vibrance, significantly minimizing under eye filler complications.
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