Causes of Extreme Swelling Post-Juvederm? I've had It Several Times With No Problem.

Question

I've been using the same injector for years with wonderful results. About a week ago, I went in for my usual touchup, which had given me incredible cheek definition inthe past. This last time not only did I bruised, but my whole face has swelled up. Gone are the high cheekbones, instead I have a round face pulling downward with jowls, even my almond eyes look downward as well. What could this be? Migration? Swelling, it's been 10 days since the procedure. Thanks for your advice.

Matthew Schulman, MD · Answer

True allergic reactions with Juvaderm are rare, but can occur. Perhaps this is what is going on. You should your doctor immediately and be evaluated. You may require a short course of steroids to help decrease swelling and stop any allergic reaction.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

Swelling at the injection site can happen but I have never heard of the entire face swelling. It sounds as if you are having some reaction - perhaps to juvederm and perhaps to something unrelated. You should return to your doctor and consult them right away.

Sheri G. Feldman, MD · Answer

Swelling after Juvederm is common, but it sounds as if yours is excessive and not what you've experienced in the past. You may want to check with your injector to make sure he/she used the same amount of product. If more was used, you may be over filled or have more swelling. If you have excessive bruising, this can cause more swelling as well. Juvederm can be dissolved by Hyaluronidase so that is another option if you are over filled. Finally, if the area is red and tender, you may have an infection so definitely return to your injector to be evaluated.

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

If you had bruising, then you had a little bit of bleeding that could explain the significant swelling, blood in the tissue, this should resolve in 3-6 weeks. However you need to make sure this not infection, need immediate examination.Also ask you injector, what exactly was injected and where was it purchased from. Get the lot number and check with the company about the lot number. There are lots of fake fillers from china, india, etc

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

I have used soft tissue fillers like Perlane and Radiesse many times for Cheek Augmentation, not the thinner fillers like Restylane or Juvederm that are meant to be placed within the layers, of the skin and not within the fatty tissues like the thicker Perlane and Radisse.

	  Having said all that, IMHO, it sounds like you may have had an injection hematoma that caused the pronounced bruising and swelling.  You should go back to the MD that did the Juvederm injections for evaluation and possible treatment recommendations.

Causes of Extreme Swelling Post-Juvederm? I've had It Several Times With No Problem.

Answers (5)