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.

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7 answers to “How can I get rid of cosmetic...”

A: Lumps after injection

By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan 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... more

A: Anti-inflammatory medications for treating filler injection lumps

By Raffy Karamanoukian, MD - Los Angeles 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... more

A: Hyaluronic acid injectables were not available six years ago

By Joel Schlessinger, MD - Omaha Dermatologist

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... more

A: Perhaps you need a biopsy

By Evan Sorokin, MD - Cherry Hill 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... more

A: Say sayonara to your lumps

By Michael A. Persky, MD - Los Angeles 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... more

A: Probably not the HA anymore

By Richard P. Rand, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

You seem to have a very good grasp of the complexity of your situation. I would doubt that there is any hyaluronic acid left after 6 years and that the problems you are having are more from cysts under the skin. Excision of these, while leaving a small scar, is usually less conspicuous than the bumps... more

A: this one is tough!

By Tanya Kormeili, MD - Los Angeles Dermatologist

I am so sorry that you have to go through this! It is a odd that the hyaluronic acid has lasted this long and has been refractory to hyalase injection. Perhaps as a result of the injection you have formed little cysts that respond to the coritsone injection but then return. I like the idea of acne surgery... more

Comments

Michael Sinclair MD
141 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

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