Can damage caused by the use of a cannula for filler be fixed or will it get better?

Based on your photo and description, it's difficult to tell what precisely caused the damage under your eye.I use cannulas often in my practice for their many benefits. A cannula has a blunt end that can manipulate its way through the skin to hit the deep fat pads and superficial wrinkles. This limits bruising, swelling, and reduces the risk of complications. It also causes less pain and results in minimal downtime.I suggest getting a formal evaluation with an experienced cosmetic dermatologist to determine the cause and develop a treatment plan for you moving forward. Best of luck, Dr. Emer

Anything can cause damage when not used properly. I don't know the specific details of your injection, but I think in your case this may be more due to improper injection and placement of the filler rather than blaming the cannula itself. If you had a Hyaluronic Acid based filler such as Juvederm or Restylane I would recommend you try dissolving the filler with Hyaluronidase to see if it improves. Make sure you see a physician who is experienced in dealing with filler complications for an in-person consultation and evaluation. Best wishes.

The development of bulges under your eyes may have several causes and can be best assessed during an office exam by an experienced physician. In my opinion, it is unlikely to be specifically related to the use of cannulas, which is becoming increasingly common due to a decreased risk of bruising, swelling, and vascular damage. More likely are migration of filler and an inflammatory reaction to filler. The latter is increasingly noted to occur after a delay (as you describe) with the Vycross family of hyaluronic fillers (Voluma, Vollure - aka Volift, and Volbella). Both migrated filler and nodule formation/inflammation in response to hyaluronic acid fillers can often be treated by dissolving the filler with hyaluronidase. 
I hope this is helpful. Best of luck.

You didn't mention the specific filler you had injected. Nodules and delayed inflammatory reactions after injection with the Juvederm Vycross products Volbella, Vollure (brand name Volift in Canada), and Voluma have been reported. I have seen a handful of cases of these reactions in individuals treated with these products. These reactions have been reported weeks to months after injection. Some people have felt that they are related to the development of a biofilm in the area of injection. If any of these products were injected, that could certainly be a possibility in your case, given the delay in this lump appearing after your injections. Utilizing cannulas has been increasing in recent years for dermal filler injections mainly due to improved safety (less risk of puncturing a vessel or vascular occlusion) and less bruising due to fewer injection points required for filler placement. As such, I believe it's unlikely that the use of the cannula contributed to this response. You may want to seek a consultation of a provider who is experienced in filler complications to determine what might be causing this and what your options for correction are. 

This delayed swelling is uncommon but very well reported - most commonly seen with the Vycross range of dermal fillers. Vycross Juvederm Volbella, Voluma and Volift. Can also be seen in other HA fillers, though less common. Can be related to biofilm but MOST COMMONLY a transient presentation of an antigen away from the site of the filler. It is NOT related to cannula trauma or traumatic neuropraxia. (Based upon your time line). I have no problems with any speciality or even GPs/ ObGs/ Dentists/ NPs /nurses performing fillers, however they MUST have the capacity to diagnose, investigate and treat all filler complications, ranging from acute conditions such as arterial occlusion through to rare immunological presentations including this one. Investigate, exclude and manage. Most reactions settle with conservative management, some require abs and Hylase. Dr Davin S. Lim. Brisbane. Australia.