Restylane reviews

61% said it was worth it
39% said it wasn't worth it

Restylane cost: $653

Before & after photos

Question

How can I get rid of cosmetic injection lumps from six years ago?

I had a filler injection done six years ago. The doctor said it was hyaluronic acid. After a few months, visible lumps began to appear. I've had kenalog injected once or twice a year into the lumps. They flatten out a little for a couple of weeks and then come back. I'm trying not to get the lumps excised as it would leave a noticeable scar on my face. Are there any other solutions out there?

One of the doctors on your site suggested making a small incision and squeezing it out - will that work after all this time?

I tried hyalase injection but did not work either. One doctor I saw suggested more aggressive treatment of kenalog but I have concerns about skin atrophy as a result.

Please advise. I'm not sure what else I should do.

Sayonara Chicago

Answers (7)

1
3 months ago

Lumps after injection

Steven Wallach, MD
Steven Wallach, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Although you think it was a hyaluronic acid product it may have not been.  If it was, then it should have dissolved unless it was extremely superficial and in that case a small incision with a needle can express the product. If it was a granulomatous reaction to product, then the only way to get rid of it would be excision. All other permanent type products like Artefill or silicone can only be removed by excision.

2
5 months ago

Anti-inflammatory medications for treating filler injection lumps

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Silicone injections can contribute to long term inflammatory reactions that can cause disfiguring nodules and lumps subcutaneously. The lumps and nodules should be treated accordingly with anti-inflammatory medications that reduce the inflammation and edema surrounding the foreign bodies. These can be applied subcutaneously, or topically depending upon the zone of inflammation.

Atrophy can be induced if the subcutaneous injection of corticosteroids are not performed by an experienced physician. A silicone protocol should be employed to minimize the risks associated with this procedure.

3
9 months ago

Hyaluronic acid injectables were not available six years ago

Six years ago, the only FDA approved products in the US were collagen based.  These products were Zyderm, Zyplast, Cosmoderm, Cosmoplast and a now discontinued product called Dermalogen.  While these could have caused lumps, it is extremely unlikely that they would cause such lumps like you are describing.

Sadly, you were probably injected with Silicone, which is NOT approved and has never been approved for facial injections.  This is the reason to only have FDA-approved material injected into your face and, furthermore, to avoid anything that promotes itself as permanent or semi-permanent. 

Ones to avoid now that are, indeed, FDA approved are Artefill and Sculptra.  These can cause some very concerning problems.  Others that are undecided/jury out are Radiesse and Evolence.  While you can certainly have them done, they don't have the track record yet of Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm. 

You need to get a second opinion from a dermatologist in your area with a good reputation.

4
9 months ago

Perhaps you need a biopsy

Evan Sorokin, MD
Evan Sorokin, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

You might consider having one small area sent to a dermatopathologist after having a small biopsy. Perhaps under the microscope he/she could determine what is causing this. It is unlikely to be a hyaluronic acid filler acting like this...

5
9 months ago

Say sayonara to your lumps

Michael A. Persky, MD
Michael A. Persky, MD
Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

Hi Say,

If it truly was hyaluronic acid that was injected, then it should be superficial in the skin.  A small puncture with a #18 gauge needle and pressure should be able to squeeze the material out (I have seen this in a few patients after a year).  Do not attempt this yourself, have a trained physician evaluate the situation.  In Chicago, I might visit Steven Dayan, MD.  Good luck and be well.

Dr. P

 

Michael Sinclair MD
143 posts
4 Oct 2008

In my opinion, it is highly unlikely that your bumps are related to the injections you got 6 years ago IF you were injected with any Hyaluronic Acid filler. Allergic reactions to HA fillers are possilbe but extremely unlikely. I am suspicious that you were injected with Aretcoll or Silicone or some other non HA filler. HA fillers simply don't last that long. Collagen stimulation from HA injections will last for years, but collagen stimulation is not very likely going to cause cysts. If you are having lumps 6 years after a single injection, then I believe you should be getting a second opinion. Michael Sinclair, MD www.epilution.com  

Have a question? Ask it

Write a comment on this question

(required, shown publicly)
  • Allowed HTML tags: <p> <br> <em> <strong> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <img> <div>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.

More information about formatting options

(required, kept private and never sold. We hate spam as much as you do, and won’t spam)
CAPTCHA
Enter the numbers in the image below (no spaces)
Image CAPTCHA

Comments for unregistered users are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our Community Guidelines

IMPORTANT: As noted in our Terms of Service, the information found on RealSelf.com, including that provided by professionals in the Questions & Answers area, is a general educational aid. The Questions and Answers contain opinions and views created by community members. RealSelf.com is not responsible for the accuracy of any information posted by community members. Do not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical or healthcare advice, or for diagnosis or treatment purposes.