Why Do my Cheeks Feel Hard After Perlane?

Hello ~ Findings of firmness after injections with hyaluronic acid products is not entirely uncommon and typically resides within a weeks time. These products are very hydrophilic or water loving, and as the product reaches a physiologic balance in your soft-tissue, it should blend in seamlessly Any persistent "lumps" warrant an evaluation by your injection specialist. Kindest Regards, Glenn Vallecillos, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Greetings~ It is really not uncommon to have swelling after Perlane...sometimes the swelling is only slight and hardly noticeable and other times it can be the opposite extreme with significant swelling, firmness and what appears to be lumpiness. The lumpy feeling or appearance is most often only a result of the needle pokes themselves and not the product. We advise our patients to use ice for the first 24 hours and avoid massage. If the firmness and swelling doesn't... more

You should not feel exceptionally firm after injection. If it feels lumpy, I usually tell my patients to massage it a bit to soften it. After a few days you may not be able to do this.

Any hardness within 1-2 days of Perlane is most likely due to swelling, which is an intrinsic humectant property of hyaluronic acid fillers such as Perlane, Restylane, or Juvederm. Ice compress, oral Benadryl can be helpful. If the hardness persists beyond 2 weeks, one may consider hyaluronidase to reverse the effect of Perlane.

The hardness may be from swelling after the injections.  If it doesn't resolve in a few days or if you start getting a fever, call your plastic surgeon.  Barring any major problems, you should be able to go out into the sun several hours after Perlane treatments.