Is there a way to test or find out if a doctor has injected silicone into my face instead of Juvederm?

Question

I got fillers back in February. I got Voluma injected into my cheek bones, the swelling was really bad for weeks, and extremely painful, not to mention it was injected way too high on my face and near the corners of my eyes. I've been getting really bad headaches recently and the tops of my cheekbones hurt whenever I get these head aches. I'm not sure if its my wisdom teeth or these fillers, but I'd like to get checked out because skeptical as to what this Dr. actually put in my cheeks.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear of the issues you've had since your treatment.  Your injector likely has a record of your treatment.  It may include the product and potentially the lot number and/or expiration date of the product used.  If you are unhappy with your treatment you can consider having the product dissolved with hyaluronidase.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

If you are truly suspicious about the type of product your doctor used, you could attempt to dissolve the filler with Hyaluronidase. Voluma as a Hyluronic Acid based filler would react to the dissolvent, where silicon would not.

Harry V. Wright, MD · Answer

An MRI should be able to distinguish between hyaluronic acid (Voluma) and silicone. Best wishes!  Harry V. Wright MD, Sarasota, Florida

Amy Miller, MD · Answer

The quickest way to find out what you had injected is to try a test injection of hyaluronidase.  If it is voluma or any of the other hyaluronic acid fillers you should see a decrease in the volume as the enzyme dissolves the HA.  If it is silicone there will be no change because hyaluronidase does not affect silicone.  The other, probably most definitive way, is to have a biopsy and see if the pathologist can tell if there is silicone in the area.  That is much more invasive however.  If the hyaluronidase works you can get rid of the filler with more injections.  If not and the product is silicone, it will have to be surgically removed.  
I'd see your dentist too, because if your wisdom teeth are causing the problems they need to come out!
Hope this is useful info! Best regards,
Dr. Amy

Is there a way to test or find out if a doctor has injected silicone into my face instead of Juvederm?

Answers (4)

Answer: Hylauronic acid verses silicone

Answer: Hylauronic acid verses silicone

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Everything you need to know about Voluma

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

Is there a way to test or find out if a doctor has injected silicone into my face instead of Juvederm?

Answers (4)

Answer: Hylauronic acid verses silicone

Answer: Hylauronic acid verses silicone

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Voluma

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