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POSTED UNDER Hyaluronidase REVIEWS

Saggy Loose Lower Eyelids from Juvederm then Hyaluronidase

ORIGINAL POST

I had too much Juvederm injected into the wrong...

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Raleigh4718
$500

I had too much Juvederm injected into the wrong place. It led to chronic bags, poor contour and a very tired, old look.
A few years ago I had Restylane in the same place with no issues. It looked great and lasted a long time.
Hyaluronidase was recommend to dissolve the Juvederm overfill after waiting several months for the filler to go away on its own (note: it hangs around for up to several years in this area). I had 6 rounds of Hyaluronidase over several months. During that time I witnessed my skin degrade right before my eyes. This was worsened by having my lower lids stretched by too much poorly placed Juvederm for nearly 10 months. The Hyaluronidase immediately made my skin crepey, saggy, loose, with a purple pigmentation line in my tear trough. You literally wake up the next day looking like Charlie Sheen!
It appeared to dissolve my native hyaluronic acid - my plastic surgeon at the time acknowledged he could see the skin losing its elasticity and becoming really thin/wrinkled, so it was recommended I get botox, then look at doing a chemical peel, laser or start using Retin A after treatment with Hyaluronidase was complete. I agreed to the botox, but that did nothing to help with skin quality or the folds/wrinkles below the eye.
For the record, I always used Retin A on my eyelids before all this. My skin was in good condition before Hyaluronidase.
Now I am facing laser or a chemical peel to help address the state of my skin. I plan on travelling to have this sort of treatment done by a top revision eyelid surgeon. It's going to cost a fortune.
Always be careful with any fillers. Even if they can be dissolved, there can be bad results. Many of us on this forum have ended up with terrible complications from Hyaluronidase. Not only has it ruined my eyelids cosmetically, but it also dried out my eyes and left them with a constant tired feel.
It's important to realize that poor results with ANY cosmetic intervention can lead to unexpected expenses, depression, trauma and a prolonged recovery. My life has been a nightmare for the last 12 months. I used to have confidence, but I've become a hermit that hates to go out and no longer likes talking to people. I am sad that I look older than my well-preserved 40 year old sister (I just turned 30). I am sick of being told I look tired, worn out and unwell (I'm super healthy). I am scared that this damage is permanent. I was so much more attractive before. I even want to quit my career because I no longer enjoy interacting with people. It has destroyed my life as I knew it. I now have counselling to assist with the depressed feeling and anxiety caused by this situation.
Do your research. Make sure you are getting the most conservative approach with the best filler for that area. Be careful about having hyaluronidase around the eyes. If you can live with your results, then don't risk it. Dissolving it isn't as simple as it sounds!

Replies (123)

November 12, 2014
this happened to me as well.. although I had this done by an opthalmic surgeon. My twin sister and i did it together and she had the same results. had the injections looked great on that day and two days later under our eyes started to swell and the bags were 100x's worse then before. went back a week later and our dr. noticed what we were complaining about. and injected our under eye bags and tear trough area with Hyaluronidase to dissolve the boletero but like you, our eyes now look worse than before we had the treatment and we only did one treatment with him. very conservative approach by most standards.now DR. says there is nothing he can do for us. that because of this he now thinks we are not candidates for even fat distribution under the eyes. its all gone horribly wrong. I never take my eyeglasses off ever! they cover my horrible under-eye wrinkles and bags. really sad we all went through this..
November 12, 2014
Hi there. I'm so sorry for your experience and your twin's. It's ridiculous that doctors keep claiming that hyaluronidase does no damage. It does! We are all proof. I look a million times worse than before the dissolving. The area under my eyes is ruined and I wear fake glasses to cover it all up. I did not consent to the filler under my eyes being dissolved so I am sad and angry. I have an appointment with an oculoplastic surgeon on Friday. I suspect he won't be able to help and I am preparing myself for that. How long ago did you have the Belotero and then the hyaluronidase? Have you seen any improvement? The filler under my eyes was done in 2008 so it was five years old. It looked good. The unethical doctor dissolved it without my consent at the start of July and then refilled it with Volbella a week later. I had to stay home from work for that week because I was so disfigured from the hyaluronidase. The refill looks horrible. I look horrible. I have seen no improvement in the last five months. I have no confidence anymore. It has changed my life.
November 12, 2014
Sorry the original filler was done in 2009 not 2008.
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November 14, 2014
india...it sounds like you and your twin need a better doctor. Stay with us on this thread until you have enough info about your problem to make your next consult. Normally it's hard to find a good doctor in the area to fix this but surely with some researching the chances I think are excellent. There are many different possibilities. Your doctor could even be wrong about the fat injections since he caused your bad result. I am looking for light tinted eyeglasses to cover up my eyebags that are left after my successful Vitrase (or whatever it was) treatment. So I am back where I was before I ever had under eye restylane -- 30 year old (and worsening eyebags). It seems like red tint is the popular color for tinted lenses right now. I don't want people to have the impression that I am satisfied with my eyebags so covering them takes care of this issue as well as making me feel more comfortable about the way my eyes look. We are all here for each other. Specifically we've had different but often overlapping and similar problems about problems resulting from fillers and their dissolving substances.
May 20, 2015
It was only two weeks of the boletero in . then had the hyluronidase to get it out. Two weeks and total disaster .. It's been a year and my eyes have never gone back .. Huge huge mistake !
May 20, 2015
I am in the identical position. A year ago I had Belotero and it developed puffy bags. I had it dissolved and that damaged my skin permanently. I've had a deep (phenol) peel and many other procedures and nothing has helped. My under eyes are aged 20 years.
February 3, 2015
I had the same problem! After a few years of looking awful, I went to new wonderful plastic surgeon who suggested a lower bleph. He dissolved the juvederm with vitiate twice. Then the next day I had my lower bleph. My eyes look beautiful now! Do not be discouraged. You may need a laser tightening or lower bleph and this will resolve your problem. Good luck.
February 3, 2015
That is vitrace .
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December 9, 2020
What dr did your blehp?
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February 4, 2015
I’m so sorry this happened to you! How are things now? I have gone through a very similar situation albeit with restylane. I had it on upper cheekbones and for some eye bags. It was fine for a while, however at one point started getting lumpy and migrating toward the surface? Anyway, hyaluronidase was required and there was so much in the upper cheek/eye area that I had 4 + rounds to get all the filler out. I freaked out!!! I was left with loose and sagging skin and lots of under eye and cheek wrinkles. Seriously I was crying and hiding. I had a Fraxel repair under eye and that didn’t do it. Then I had a Sciton ablative which helped immensely but the area has never been the same as before. In fact I just finished getting another Sciton today because the results from the one last year were enough and it was looking bad again. I just wanted you to know that you are not alone.
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February 17, 2015
powelli, is your lack of eyelid skin from past procedures on the eyelids?
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February 17, 2015
It’s a lack of extra eyelid skin required for a bleph. If you don’t have enough skin it will pull your eyes too tight and you won’t be able to close them.
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February 17, 2015
It seemed that after all the rounds of Hyaluronidase over several weeks, that during that time I saw my skin become fragile and weakened. I also think that my lower eyelids stretched from having too much filler for a period of time. The Hyaluronidase made my skin crepey, wrinkly and sag pretty much right away.
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February 17, 2015
powelli, have you always lacked enough eyelid skin for a bleph?
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February 17, 2015
Well I never wanted/needed one, so I would say that my lower eyelids didn’t/don’t have excess skin. Not everyone has skin for a bleph or needs a bleph right?
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February 18, 2015
powelli, now I understand. You were simply making a non-issue comment. True not everyone wants or needs a bleph -- or ever will. Well you are lucky if you don't want or need a bleph. Good for you. :)
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February 18, 2015
powelli, well I'm sure there are others with eyelid skin similar to yours. If it's an issue for you, eventually there may be a good eye cream or something else much better than what's available now. I am always on the look-out for new cosmetic-related things.
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February 18, 2015
For me a laser was extremely helpful. Sciton to be exact and Sciton Skin-tyte.
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February 18, 2015
powelli, good to know the sciton helped. I think my doctor used that on someone's face for her deep wrinkles. All these lasers seem to be getting better and better from all I've heard about. I will keep researching the skin tyte. Happy healing.
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February 4, 2015
Oh forgot, I saw 2 plastic surgeons prior to any laser to see if a bleph would help and they both said that there was not enough skin for a bleph but maybe laser treatment would help?
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February 15, 2015
powelli, i have never heard of not having enough skin for a bleph. I hope you continue to search for solutions.
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February 15, 2015
They meant not enough excess skin so that it would look natural.
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February 17, 2015
I still have never heard of this. I'm trying to figure it out. The only people I know of who may not have enough eyelid skin are some Asians. These forums are so good because it seems like eventually you come across every possibility.
February 19, 2020
What haven’t u heard. ? My surgeon also said i dont have enough skin to do Blepharoplasty. Its only for saggy under eye or lids.
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March 24, 2015
Hi I had filler injected under the eyes. The filler was to superficial so I had little lumps so I went back and had the lumps dissolved but now I have a tiny dent I wish I had never had any fillers its cost me an absolute fortune
March 24, 2015
I'm so sorry. I think that more research has to be done to come up with the ultimate solution to fillers near the eyes and upper cheeks. In the meantime, spreading the warning is the best we can do for others.
July 12, 2019
Use saline injections for the dent
UPDATED FROM Raleigh4718

I forgot to say please ignore the marks on my nose...

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Raleigh4718
I forgot to say please ignore the marks on my nose in the "NOW" pics. It was from pure tea tree oil on a zit that burnt my skin!

Replies (13)

November 15, 2014
I had juvederm in my lips. she put way too much and I had the look of a duck. I went back for hyuluronidase a few month later. i was so pleased at first. but after a month or so, I began to notice indentations on my top lip. the hyaluronidase took out some of my natural. I am going to ask a board certified plastic surgeon about fat grafting next month.
November 15, 2014
i meant my natural tissue.
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November 16, 2014
jwil..., I advise getting more than one consult if possible. It's recommended to get at least 3 unless there is one stand alone doctor who is especially renowned about treating your particular issue (indentations on top lip from filler). They could be PS, dermatologists or oculoplastic doctors. If any doctors are in the USA, I would make sure the doctor also has a 5star rating on healthgrades.com
November 16, 2014
Thanks for your reply. I actually have had four so far. I've been told to leave it alone. I've been told to put more juvederm in to even it out. But I am having a tummy tuck and breast augmentation next month. So, I asked that Dr about what I could do for my lips. And he mentioned fat grafting. But we were busy discussing my other procedures we didn't have time to talk about fat grafting. We did schedule another appointment to discuss my lips. I'm anxious to find out more about it because no one else has even mentioned it.
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November 18, 2014
jwil, if the 4 doctors were mainly for the body procedures, you may need separate consultations for the lips. I'd make sure whoever you consult about your lips has a good history treating your particular issue. Doing lips opens up also the possibility of dermatologists and oculoplastic specialists along with plastic surgeons. There are a few "head and neck surgeons" but it's a specialty I haven't heard about lately and all my memories about their cosmetic procedures are vague.
November 18, 2014
It's actually the opposite. I have been seeing doctors about my lips. And by doing this I just happen to run into a doctor I am very comfortable with doing my other procedures. I have seen dermatologists and plastic surgeons. But the one Drs who even seem confident in fixing my lips have been board certified plastic surgeons. The other doctors are telling me to either leave it alone or add more juvederm, which i think is just insane. I don't have an appointment set up to have anything done to my lips. Just an appointment to discuss fat grafting. I'll let you know how it goes. Thank you.
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November 22, 2014
Jwil, It's very possible to have a P.S. do a good facial procedure. Most of the posts on this thread are about the lower eyelid and upper cheek area so some are leaning to oculo and derma because the tissue is thinner in these areas. Also stuff near the eyes gives me the willies and I'm sure I have some company there. :) Your post makes me think now that lips requires a different type of thinking than the eye and cheek areas. Maybe it's because many people who want breast work (especially enhancement) also are into lip enhancement. Adding more juvederm does sound crazy. Leaving them alone you could do but many people cannot wait years for the material to go away. I'm sure many are having diverse areas worked on at the same time they have the lips done or at least with the same doc. I know some have had face and body work during the same surgery with great results. You really need to know what you are doing though to choose someone for such diverse places. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
August 2, 2015
You still look beautiful ,I had the same horrible experience ,it sucks
September 2, 2015
I have been doing lymphatic massage on my face using a gentle almond oil, also was told to try acupuncture.....on my puffed up face to move the filler, your shin can regenerate with some care after you get it out , and I read that our hyrolonic acid builds on it's own constantly so you should do alittle to start. Pumping up more collagen , like my friend who does light dermabrasion , and vitamin c, also just try and see yourself as more than a face ,you are really beautiful and natural and believe me I know how you feel ,I'm a mess, your younger and can blend this mistake I feel so puffed up , I look like I'm on prednisone
September 2, 2015
This is the work of the freakin dark angels , I too have these weird experiences on top of the new blowfish look I'm wearing , I can't believe the tea tree thing I did it too, and the smell is just horrible.
March 10, 2017
you are your worst critic, seeing your pics you look really good. The same thing happened to me so know your agony. Everyone aid they didn't see anything wrong with me but to me I felt hideous. so i know what you are going through, I wasted a lot of money and time on this as well. Life does get better and be confident in who you are as a person.
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November 7, 2018
The girl who didn’t said she will remove it for free but I don’t want her to incorrectly use the product and make it worse but everyone else that I’ve called to fix it for me wants to charge and upwards of $500
UPDATED FROM Raleigh4718

Added a whole bunch of photos to show the...

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Raleigh4718
Added a whole bunch of photos to show the progressive dissolving process.
Hopefully forum visitors will see my pics and be more cautious about their choices.
These pictures help demonstrate the much talked about potential side effects of Hyaluronidase.

Replies (548)

April 28, 2011

Hi Raleigh,

I'm so glad you wrote a review, this will help out the community so much. And so many pictures, awesome! Oh my I can't believe the Juvederm and Hyaluronidase did that to you. It's probably a good idea to see an expert for the laser. Please keep us updated.

Thanks so much for the review,

-Britt

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April 28, 2011
Thanks Britt. Yes, I hope it can prevent others from experiencing this, or at least provide comfort for those who are going through the same thing.
My case is just unlucky I think. I actually went to the most respected Oculoplastic guy in my area and this still happended.
Although I have since realized that only a few doctors out there truly understand the power of hyaluronidase around eye tissue.
I have been recommended to see a revision eyelid surgeon (very experienced with filler revision/ hyaluronidase) thanks to communicating with another Real Self forum member who went thought the exact same thing.
Thanks for looking after a great online community.
Regards,
Raleigh
April 28, 2011

Hi Raleigh, 

Although not great for you I'm glad the forum was so helpful for you to find a doctor who hopefully will fix this for you. Please keep us updated when you see the other doctor.

Thanks,

-Britt

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April 30, 2011
Hi Britt,
Is there any way an additional photo can be added to a recently posted question? Just noticed some responses to my question that pretty much point out the obvious - I should have included a non-flash pre-treatment photo (which is featured in my review group of pics). no worries if can't do...
Thanks,
Raleigh
May 3, 2011

Hi Raleigh,

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner I was out of town. Yes if you just want to PM me your picture or tell me which picture you want I can add it to your question no problem.

-Britt

July 1, 2011
Hi Raleigh Thanks for your post. I agree with your comments regarding the effects of hyalufronidase. Unfortunately my eyes look similar to yours but the circumstances were different as the doctor was forced to inject 1800 units of hyaluronidase to save my skin fromnecrosisas the juvaderm caused an artery blockage. Because of the amount injected it migrated throughout my face and pockets of this ended up in the tear trough area which caused purple discoloration as well as bumps underneath my eyes. This happened in Jan 2011 and hope to hear if you have had any gradual improvement with time. Also I am looking to se whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy may help and wondered if u had looked into this for your situation. It has been very difficult to find anyone who has experienced this so seeing your post has been helpful. I also have been suffering from anxiety and depression due to this. Hope to hear from you soon.
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July 4, 2011
Hi Torontodisaster,
I am terribly sorry. Your story is so awful and I can completely understand why you have anxiety and depression.
I did some Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy for several months to help calm the inflammation, but I don't think I did enough sessions. I could only afford weekly. I think when things are really inflammaed (or infected) you need a few sessions per week.
It did help me sleep better. However it didn't help the tissue damage.
Some of the purple discoloration clears up after 4 months. sometimes 5FU injections cause the same kind of purple pigmentation, but also tend to clear.
The thin, damaged, saggy, stretched gray skin has not improved though. I am doing all sorts of vitamin therapy, hyaluronic acid serums.....not helping.
The dermatologists I have seen said only fractional CO2 laser can help, plus surgery in the form a small skin pinch will help my lower lids.
Some people see improvements after 9 to 12 months. I am waiting but it has been well over a year of trauma for me.
Also battle ongoing nightmares, social anxiety, etc. I don't have my picture taken anymore (haven't had my photo taken in 18 months thanks to this).
If you are in Toronto, it might be worth seeing an eyelid & midface specialist in Los Angeles at some point. Oculoplastic & reconstructive doctors are the sort that specialises in this region.
I am saving to see a good one over there. Live miles away from LA but several people who have experienced Hyaluronidase and filler issues end up going there for help.
I hope things improve for you.
July 4, 2011
Hi Raleigh4718

Thanks for the response..It sounds like we are both trying to exhaust every possible treatment to help us and like you I avoid social situations and as well haven't had my picture taken since this happened. I have bumps or what looks like herniated fat pads underneath my eyes. The doctor keeps telling me its my own fat pads and it well may be however they were not noticeable before I had these injections and I believe have protruded due to damage to tissue which is making them more noticeable. I see from your pictures that you had similar bumps or "fat pads" undereath your eyes. Was that the filler and are they now gone or do you still have them?
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July 4, 2011
I have some herniation left, which gets worse after sleeping or salty foods. An MRI scan shows there is still some Juvederm deep in the socket. It is enough to draw plenty of fluid to the area unfortunately.
But now, after so much Hyaluronidase, I have excess skin which has been properly diagnosed by an eyelid surgeon and dermatologist. This is combined with poor quality skin from losing all my natural hyaluronic acid.
like you, my before photos show no herniated fat pad.
Maybe it is a weak orbital septum from all the stretching of JUvederm?..........With me, everything seems thin, saggy and weak, like it can't hold the contents of the socket back anymore.
THis is why i am going to LA to get it properly diagnosed. i can't afford to muck around with treatments that won't address this.
Your doc may be right, however he sounds like he is trying to put the onus back on you and make your current appearance seem like your own body generated it.
If it wasn't like that before Juvederm, then the filler and/or dissolving enzyme caused it for sure.
I have also had my original doctor tell me if must be my own body's fluid retention. he acknowledged the thin skin and stretched skin and new wrinkles but doesn't want to help fix it (even though i have been so nice about the whole mess - too nice really considering the damage and expense - I was even paying for the Hylauronidase to dissolve this crap). hence i have been forced to go elsewhere for treatment.
June 22, 2011
I had filler just over 2 years ago (juvaderm) and although there is no filler left I have a puffiness under my left eye and it makes me look odd, I put massagers on it and have facials to drain the toxins but nothing will budge it, and I really dont want to have anything else injected in my eye lids ever again is there anything else I could use, would a hyaluronidase cream help. Please help Amber
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June 23, 2011
sorry candyfloss. no such thing as hyluronidase cream.
be careful with any injections to dissolve juvederm.
go to someone who knows what they are doing.
my eyelid tissue is damaged big time. confirmed by a dermtologist. need laser and skin pinch now. still young but my eyelids are like that of a smoker or sun lover post-menopause age.
good luck :)
June 23, 2011
Thanks very much, I may do some research on laser maybe that will tighten it up. Good luck with your journey and God Bless
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June 23, 2011
Very sorry that this has happened to you. It is so difficult to treat.
I hope you have some luck with laser and that is gets much better for you.
Take care & feel free to contact me anytime!
November 20, 2011

Hi Raleigh4718, Just following up to see how you are doing? Do you still have the purple //blue colour that showed up after the hyaluronidase treatments or just the saggy skin left? Its now been 10 months and I still have the purple/blue colour...

Thanks

June 23, 2011
Hi Raleigh Iv come accross a treatment called Pelleve its Radiofrequency that boosts collagen, its £100 for an eye treatment Im hoping it will tighten the bag up a bit. I will let you know if it does.
Speak soon!