Movement of Restylane in the tear troughs. Did I ruin this area?

Question

I had almost a full syringe of restylane injected in my tear troughs 5 days ago. 2 days after the procedure I accidentally moved some of the product that was near my nose. I felt some of the product move and attempted to try to move it back. After that I gently massaged the same side a few times to attempt to "fix" it. I just recently discovered that I was not supposed to massage it. This side now looks a little more flat and also feels funny - like it has been pushed in. Did I ruin this area?

Kenneth Bermudez, MD, FACS · Answer

Very hard to say what happened to your Restylane injections, especially without pictures.The best advice I can give is to go back to the plastic surgeon that injected it and see if anything can be done to correct the problem.Good luck.

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Hi @worrrybug! I would recommend returning to your injector. If you are unhappy with the final results, you can reverse the filler with Hyaluronidase. Best of luck, Dr. Nima!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This can be fixed easily with an enzyme to reverse it.  If you are concerned see your physician right away.  Next time cannula injections may limit this issue, find an expert who performs this technique. Best, Dr. Emer.

Andrew Pichler, MD · Answer

Hard to say what happened. You may actually have had a slight bleed causing  the apparent asymmetry. No permanent harm done. See your injector for assessment and possible adjustment. Good luck.

Melvin Elson, MD · Answer

It is possible to move this product in the first few hours and you may have but there is no permanent damage. Go back to your dematologist or plastic surgeon and he can adjust the area

David Reinstadler, MD · Answer

It is unlikely that you moved any of the product significantly. At 5 days there is still some swelling present and it may be a bit asymmetrical. The product can be 'molded' a bit just after the injection, but after a few days, it is pretty well in place. The most common thing that happens is that you actually need a bit more on one side or the other, as undercorrection is much more desired than over correction. I would follow up with your physician and see what they say. Best of luck

Bobby Buka, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Shortly
after injecting hyaluronic acid fillers into the infraorbital sulcus, a
collagenous latticework will begin to form around the injected filler. Within 24-48
hours, that material should become set in place and immovable. This is the
reason why molding hyaluronic acid fillers during injection is so critical; to
make sure that the material is placed in the appropriate location before it
begins to integrate with surrounding tissues.

It's
unlikely that you would have moved the material itself after two days. However,
it should be easy enough to inject additional hyaluronic acid to even out that
area or, conversely, to dissolve that hyaluronic acid that's been placed there
with hyaluronidase, which is an enzyme that dissolves hyaluronic acid. Either
way, your board-certified dermatologist should be able to correct any asymmetry
that you currently notice in the infraorbital sulcus.

Movement of Restylane in the tear troughs. Did I ruin this area?

Answers (7)