Can Under Eye Juvederm Affect Lymphatic Drainage in the Face?

Question

Can Juvederm under the eyes can hinder normal lymphatic drainage in the undereye and surrounding area? I get monthly lymphatic drainage sessions to manage some transient facial edema I acquired from an upper jaw surgery.

	Two weeks ago i had Juvederm placed under my eyes and today I went in for my regular massage session and my therapist said that she was unable to drain my cheek area at all and said that the fillers may be blocking the lymph nodes. Can someone please tell me if this is possible?

Kevin M. Robertson, MD, FACS · Answer

I think at the end of your search for an answer you will find experts dancing around definitions and terminology.  that's because juvederm is not going to get into lymphatic channels and block them.  however it will create swelling, as part of the way it works is to draw fluid to it.  So what you are seeing may simply be volume created in general by juvederm.  That volume does require lymphatics to resolve, but I really doubt your lack of resolution is because lymphatics are blocked.  They just might not be able to liberate the swelling yet, or there is more swelling than the lymphatics can clinically  improve  thus far.

	It's well known that juvederm, and all similar products, can result in persistent swelling around the eye that takes more than two weeks to resolve.  My suggestion to you is to continue massage in the area, give it more time, and if it does not reach a point you are happy (or not within a time frame that you need), then return to your surgeon.  It can be reversed with an injection of a similar enzyme specific for that product.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Juvederm is a hyaluronic acid and acts as a filler by absorbing water in your tissues. It may absorb more water than Restylane in the lower eyelid area. Being swollen from having more water held in the area doesn't mean that there is a problem with lymphatic drainage.

Can Under Eye Juvederm Affect Lymphatic Drainage in the Face?

Answers (2)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Juvederm

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Can Under Eye Juvederm Affect Lymphatic Drainage in the Face?

Answers (2)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Juvederm

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.