Is there a connection between Radiesse and Shingles?

As a board-certified dermatologist I take care of many patients with shingles (Herpes Zoster.)  This condition is a re-activation of the chicken pox virus (varicella virus), in one area of the body.  It is thought that a decrease in immunity may allow this reactivation to occur.  There is no known association with Radiesse or other fillers to my knowledge.  An out break of Herpes Simplex Virus (Herpes Zoster's cousin) can occur secondary to trauma, which can include a needle stick, but it would have to occur in the area you were treated to be related.

There is no direct cause for shingles from an injection of  radiesse on the face. Shingles can only occur if you had been exposed to chicken pox virus years ago and the virus then remains dormant along the roots of the nerves from peripheral nervous system along the spine, whether head or back.  The virus wakes up or is reactivated for different reasons and then spreads along the nerve pathway from the spine to the skin area that it supplies for sensation. The rash then can be seen a couple of days after the pain starts.  A few reasons for reactivation is a general decrease in your immune system. The immune system keeps the virus in check, but if you are seriously ill, very fatigued, take immunosuppressive medication, have an immunosuppressive infectious disease, very stressed emotionally, the immune system is compromised and the reactivation can develop.

The develoment of shingles should be a mere coincidence and not a result of the Radiesse injections.

The shingles outbreak (herpes zoster) on your arm and back is a reactivation of the varicella virus, and is unrelated to the Radiesse injection that you had. Although we do not know the exact mechanism, it is thought that a decrease in immune function may help activate a shingles out break.

Cold sores (herpes labialis) are caused by the herpes simplex virus and can commonly occur following dermal filler injection in the lip or lower face. Any individual who has a history of cold sores, and is undergoing a facial treatment that involves some sort of trauma (facial, microdermabrasion, chemical peel, dermal filler injection, laser, etc.) should receive treatment with an anti-viral medication (e.g. Valacyclovir [Valtrex]) prior to beginning the treatment. Typically this anti-viral treatment is initiated a day or two before the procedure, continued the day of the procedure, and completed a day or two after the procedure.

Shingles are always tricky.  We ask patients with injectables who have a history of Shingles to be on Valtrex 1 week prior.  Not sure where you are in your outbreak but get on Valtrex 500mg and hopefully the symptoms will subside.

There is no direct cause for shingles from an injection of Radiesse on the face. Shingles is a reactivation of the chicken pox virus.