Complications after contouring with fillers - how to deal with the consequences?

Pain during contouring - myth or reality?

Thanks to unscrupulous players in the beauty market, potential clients have the impression that lip correction using fillers is a pleasant and painless procedure. But in reality this is absolutely not the case. Even the use of special anesthetic gels does not relieve pain. Subcutaneous manipulation with a needle is, to put it mildly, unpleasant, especially on such a sensitive area as the lips. Even those who have a fairly high pain threshold experience discomfort.

Manufacturers of lidocaine fillers claim that their solutions can reduce sensitivity by 35–40%. Cosmetologists also talk about positive experiences and slight swelling. But stories about serious complications that arise specifically from lidocaine-containing drugs are regularly covered in the media. Although we are mostly talking about overdoses or violations of sanitary standards.

An initial consultation with your doctor before the procedure is a wise thing to do. It is necessary to discuss with a specialist the selection of the drug, execution technique and contraindications. The doctor will take into account the individual characteristics of your body. This will help reduce the risk of side effects and eliminate allergic reactions.

Biorevitalization: consequences and complications

Injection procedures may be accompanied not only by the temporary effects that we discussed above, but also by more serious side effects that require qualified medical attention. In these cases, you should not self-medicate. Otherwise, the negative consequences of the procedures may intensify and lead to even more serious complications.

Allergy

Some people have an allergic reaction to the anesthesia, the drug, or even the material the needle is made of. Allergies after biorevitalization or mesotherapy can manifest themselves in different forms. This may be allergic dermatitis, accompanied by persistent redness and sometimes blistering rashes.

When exposed to an allergen, a local anaphylactic reaction with itching, blisters and swelling may also develop. In rare situations, there may be anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema and urticaria. In any case, if an allergy occurs, the help of a qualified doctor is necessary.

Inflammation and infections

Complications after biorevitalization or mesotherapy in the form of infection can occur if antiseptic standards are not observed during the procedure or if skin care is improper. As a result of the inflammatory process, the patient may develop small, painless nodules under the skin.

In case of inflammation and infection, you must immediately contact a specialist to avoid more serious consequences.

Skin depigmentation

This side effect is rarely encountered in practice. And the main reason is a violation of the technique of the procedure. Thus, if a filler gets into a vessel, the patient may experience quite severe pain, and the risk of subsequent skin depigmentation increases significantly.

Nodules and other structures under the skin

Sometimes there are quite serious consequences of mesotherapy: persistent lumps under the skin, prolonged redness, necrosis (death of an area) of the skin.

The causes of such complications may be inflammation against the background of an associated infection, impaired blood supply due to damage to a vessel, or ignoring serious contraindications to a cosmetic procedure.

In the absence of timely help, these consequences will not pass without a trace, and a person will remain with unesthetic skin defects for the rest of his life. Therefore, if you notice such consequences after biorevitalization or mesotherapy, immediately consult a doctor. This requires competent diagnosis and treatment, and sometimes surgical intervention.

Unpleasant complications after contouring - swelling and hematomas

From a medical point of view, slight swelling on the lips where the needle was pricked is quite natural. Microtrauma is caused to the vessels, hence the swelling. But it is still worth minimizing possible complications. Use the services of only professional cosmetologists, and follow all doctor’s recommendations. If a lip contouring session has already been performed and the result is not entirely successful, do not delay and immediately seek help from specialists. Attempts at self-medication will only worsen the situation.

Severe swelling is one of the side effects of filler, which is based on hyaluronic acid . Such preparations quite actively sublimate water. This situation is not considered a complication; the swelling subsides within 8–10 days. There are exceptions, but in cases of introducing a large volume of gel. Contrary to popular belief, it is not always possible to get rid of swelling with lymphatic drainage massage. We recommend reading how to remove lip filler without harm to your health.

Fordyce granules

Fordyce granules are hyperplastic sebaceous glands that tend to form in those areas of the body where the skin is thinnest and most delicate. Most often they are localized on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity (in particular on the cheeks), on the lips, in the groin, directly on the genitals and on the nipples. Such changes in the sebaceous glands were first described by the American dermatologist and syphilidologist John Addison Fordyce back in 1896. Hence the name that has now become generally accepted for them - Fordyce granules. Formations are considered one of the variants of the physiological norm, since they are: completely benign; do not harm health; are not accompanied by unpleasant symptoms; are not transmitted during sexual contact or any other way. That is why patients turn to specialized medical institutions only in cases where visible sebaceous glands represent a serious cosmetic defect and become a reason for a person’s dissatisfaction with their appearance. The exact reasons that provoke changes in the sebaceous glands have not been identified at the moment. However, most doctors, based on the results of pathomorphological studies of tissues, believe that the prerequisite for the occurrence of cysts are various types of congenital disorders of the development of the sebaceous glands, leading to their displacement into the upper layer of the skin or to a change in their normal location (the location of the sebaceous glands in the area of the border of the lips is considered abnormal , on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, etc.). Another cause of Fordyce granules is considered to be hyperplasia of the excretory ducts of the sebaceous glands, which provokes the appearance of cystic formations in them. Simply put, Fordyce granules develop in people who have excessive narrowing or blockage of the excretory ducts of the glands, accompanied by the accumulation of secretions (sebum) in them. Sebaceous gland cysts first appear in humans during adolescence, when the process of puberty begins, that is, approximately in the range from 13 to 17 years. Thus, it can be assumed that the process of formation of Fordyce granules proceeds in accordance with the following algorithm: during the period of intrauterine development in the fetus, for one reason or another, the formation of the sebaceous glands is disrupted; when the child reaches a certain age, under the influence of steroid hormones that are produced by the sex glands (the so-called androgen hormones), the glands begin to increase in size and actively produce sebum, which results in their visualization.

Characteristic features of Fordyce granules. Externally, sebaceous gland cysts resemble small nodules (or papules) the size of a millet grain. As a rule, such rashes are numerous, widespread and not accompanied by pain (either at rest or when pressing on them). When pressing on the formation, in some cases a very small amount of liquid may be released from it, having a white-yellow tint and a rather thick consistency. However, more often than not, attempts to squeeze the contents out of Fordyce granules end in pinpoint bleeding and the development of hematomas in the area of skin surrounding the damaged papule.

Doctors are categorical in their prohibitions on self-removal of Fordyce granules, since this, firstly, is very painful, and secondly, provokes inflammatory processes and scarring of the skin. This is especially true in cases where the cysts are localized in the lip border area. Fordyce granules on the lips in the vast majority of cases (up to 90%) occur in women. This type of Fordyce granules occurs as a result of damage to the apocrine sweat glands, which are somewhat associated with the genitourinary system.

Treatment of Fordyce granules. Unfortunately, there are currently no effective methods for treating Fordyce granules. The use of jojoba oil and vitamin A is recommended as a means to inhibit further development of the process. These products help remove Fordyce granules that are already present and prevent the formation of new ones. Such drugs can act mainly on fresh cysts.

The main methods of removal are electrocoagulation or cryotherapy. Treatment of large Fordyce granules, as well as formations classified as old, is carried out through their surgical removal. The decision on the possible removal of certain elements is made by the attending physician. In this case, the skin over the papule is opened, the wen itself is peeled off, and the bleeding is stopped using an electrocoagulant. The edges of the operated area are sutured with special materials.

Pustovoitova E.V.

Lip contouring: consequences in the form of inflammation

Inflammation cannot be called a direct side effect. Non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan (hyaluronic acid) is completely biologically compatible, but despite this, after its administration the body activates its standard protective reaction. As a rule, biological processes return to normal within a few days and inflammation goes away on its own. But in some cases, redness remains. There are two possible options:

Along with the puncture, an infection entered the body . But this is not always the cosmetologist’s mistake. The viruses could have been developing for several days, and the injection triggered their launch.
Autoimmune diseases reacted to the drug injected into the lip area, activating an inflammatory reaction and an increase in connective tissue.

In terms of neutralization, each of the points requires different therapy. In case of infection, you must make an appointment with a doctor to clarify the diagnosis and take pharmacological medications. If an autoimmune disease is to blame, then it is worth undergoing steroid therapy - it effectively reduces the immune response. But only a doctor prescribes the prescription and regimen for taking any medications. Self-medicating the consequences after contouring is extremely dangerous. Instead of reducing inflammation, you can, on the contrary, provoke suppuration and the formation of permanent scars.

Find out which method of correcting scars and stretch marks is optimal for you!

doctor Svetlana Viktorovna Ogorodnikova.

doctor

Lip augmentation: swelling after the procedure is an unpleasant side effect

Despite all the charm and effectiveness of this mechanism for adjusting the shape of the mouth and filling it with splendor, the method provokes redness and swelling. Injections are made with very thin needles to minimize trauma to the skin. But it is inevitable, an injection is an injection, and the integrity of the epidermis is violated, barely noticeable dots appear. Sometimes such spots transform into severe bruises after lip augmentation.

The area of manipulation undergoes a process of inflammation. The doctor must warn you about this and give professional recommendations on what you will need to do: how to care for the piercing area after the session, what you should not do, what you need to do so that the swelling of the lips after the injections goes away as soon as possible. By following the advice of a specialist, you will help your body easily cope with swelling and redness quickly and without consequences. Most often, the first noticeable positive changes take from 2 to 7 days. Then the process goes faster, and after 10-12 days you will see the final result of the procedure without inflammation.

Of course, a week, ten days is quite a long time. And all this time you will have to walk around with an unpleasant side effect on your face. But if you had manipulations done in the clinic and your skin is not overly sensitive or allergic, then swelling after lip correction will be quite acceptable. Discomfort and unpleasant sensations in this case will be minimized. May you be reassured by the fact that no hyaluronate mouth correction procedure can be done without this side effect. Such painful, alarming swelling is just a consequence of internal changes in the lower layers of the epidermis. You will see daily changes for the better.

Make an appointment at the clinic on Vasilyevsky Island

Fibrosis and compaction - complications after lip contouring

In the first days after the injection of fillers, lumps may appear at the injection site, this is due to the fact that the substance has not yet had time to distribute evenly. Sometimes it happens that a hematoma (bruise) appears due to damage to a vessel. Within a week, it usually resolves, but if the cause of the lump is fibrosis, then the situation is much more complicated and requires your close attention.

Why does fibrosis occur?

The distribution of fillers in the lip occurs gradually, and the effect can last up to 12 months. Immediately after administration of the drug and during the first week, balls are felt under the skin, which dissolve on their own. Clots are nothing more than drops of filler, which is quite natural. Fibrosis is an unpleasant complication when connective tissue grows with the appearance of scar changes.

One of the obvious reasons for the formation of fibrosis is the rejection of a foreign substance by the body . In this case, a well-chosen injection solution can solve this issue. But only a professional cosmetologist can determine the dosage and prescribe the necessary drug that will not aggravate the situation. The doctor will also tell you what care is suitable after lip contouring in your case.

Unobvious reasons for the formation of fibrosis include:

inexperience of the cosmetologist;
violation of sanitary norms and rules;
mechanical damage to the walls of blood vessels;
counterfeit or low-quality filler;
violation of the technology and technique of drug administration;
incorrectly selected dose of the administered substance.

Rehabilitation after lip contouring

Fibrous changes after filler injection can occur anywhere on the face, but a particularly favorite area for localization of compactions is the upper lip. This is due to the fact that the skin here is extremely sensitive, delicate and thin. Swelling may not even arise from the filler, but simply from trauma to the skin with a needle.

Seals on the lips cannot be corrected with makeup. Fibrosis is noticeable to the naked eye, and you won’t be able to hide lumps with lipstick and gloss; rather, on the contrary, you only focus attention on this area. It is possible to get rid of fibrosis in one of two ways: surgical or conservative. In the first case, surgical intervention will be required, and in the second, an external agent with collagenase enzymes. The operation is an extreme measure, which is usually used to extract biogel; most often, gentle methods can be used.

“White spots” on lips from filler?

Sometimes in my practice as a cosmetologist, I hear from patients that after the lip augmentation procedure, some “white spots” appeared on the lips and they were not there before. It's time to discover the secret of the appearance of “white spots”. In fact, there is no secret. These dots have been on your lips since you were 13-16 years old, that is, since puberty. I’ll say right away that they are safe, they do not cause any harm to health and only cause aesthetic discomfort. In dermatology, this phenomenon is called Fordyce granules, in honor of its discoverer, the American dermatologist John Addison Fordyce. They are small spots from 1 to 2 mm or papules of a whitish or yellowish color; these are sebaceous glands, which are located more superficially to the upper layers of the skin; during the process of accumulation of secretions in them, they become visible. They can be single or numerous, located closer to the mucous membrane of the lips or along the red border of the lips.

By the way, there are more than 120 sebaceous glands per 1 cm2 in human skin; during life, under the influence of various factors, they undergo various changes, including the possibility of becoming clogged and forming cysts.

There is still no clear opinion why they appear, but the following reasons are identified:

- hormonal imbalance during puberty or due to neoplasms in the endocrine organs, resulting in increased production of male hormones - androgens, which leads to hyperplasia of glands of exocrine origin and their hyperproduction of secretions;

— violation of personal hygiene rules creates favorable conditions for the development of bacterial microflora and disrupts the process of exfoliation of keratinized cells, resulting in blockage of the ducts through which sebum should be released;

— bad habits, such as drinking alcohol, fatty, spicy, smoked foods also contribute to increased sebum secretion;

- lipid metabolism disorder, more often observed in elderly patients, since they experience an age-related decrease in the metabolic activity of fat in the body.

Fordyce granules most often appear on the mucous membranes of the genitals, nipples and areolas, but can also occur on other parts of the body, including the face and lips. Sometimes patients confuse the granules with protruding herpes and try to cure it on their own, of course, without effect. Squeezing out the granules is fraught with the formation of bruises and infection, so if you want to part with them, it is better to consult a dermatologist to clarify the diagnosis and choose the most effective treatment method. In modern medicine there are several ways to get rid of them.

Cryo destruction or application of liquid nitrogen. Under the influence of low temperatures, local necrosis of the formation occurs.

Electrocoagulation is the effect of high-frequency electric currents on granules, during which fluid is evaporated from the cells and their subsequent destruction (destruction). The minimal rehabilitation period and low relapse rate, as well as the cost of the procedure, make this method quite promising.

Laser therapy involves exposing papules to a laser beam, which also results in heating and destruction of the formation, while the precision of the beam eliminates damage to adjacent tissues, but the method is highly expensive.

When choosing a method, you must remember that none of the methods guarantees complete elimination of the problem and cysts can form again.

Since Fordyce granules are regarded as variants of the norm, there are no effective methods of prevention, however, it is recommended to give up bad habits, observe personal hygiene rules, and undergo routine examinations in medical institutions. The use of oily cosmetic products is also not recommended because they accumulate in the pores, clogging them. I always recommend that all my patients with oily skin use cosmetics labeled “non-comedogenic.” It is not recommended to be exposed to solar insolation, to follow a healthy and balanced diet, supplements of vitamins A, C, D, E, K are possible.

After the lip augmentation procedure, in which the lip tissue is stretched with filler and the lip folds are straightened, the granules become more noticeable, but the procedure itself does not contribute to their appearance, so before the procedure, carefully examine your lips so that their “appearance” does not come as a surprise. If you observe them in yourself and want to fight them, then it is better to do this before the lip augmentation procedure.

Dermatovenerologist-cosmetologist Anna Aleksandrovna Belyaeva.