What Will Reverse, Slow Down or Stop a Kenalog 10 Injection I Had into my Face?

Question

I had buccal fat pad removal done 6 months ago. One side of my face was still puffy, my PS recommended a kenalog 10 injection for that side. It clearly did not remove the puffy tissue, It made it worse by removing fat above the area he injected. I have dark discolored pigement in the skin. Looks like a dime size brown age spot plus a dent. Its been 3 weeks. Can a injection of water delute it any or can vitamins help? I read the kenalog decreases white blood cells, will folic acid help restore it?

Randal Haworth, MD, FACS · Answer

Soft tissue (fat) atrophy can be complication after steroid injection especially if it was injected in too high a concentration or too close to the skin. It can happen anywhere on the body-I have seen it in the shoulder, buttocks, face, etc.. Fortunately, most of this resolves with time, however, this may take up to a year to fully go away. I have tried injecting saline (on the advice of some colleagues) into the depressed area but had met with little success. What I have personally found far more beneficial in reversing the atrophy and normalizing the overlying skin discoloration, is to inject a hyaluronic acid filler(Restylane®, Juvederm®, etc.) into the depression. Not only does it provide immediate correction of the problem (and of course, peace of mind for the patient), but it also seems to permanently dispel the atrophy (in other words it never returns in my experience).

John Mesa, MD · Answer

The effects of kenalog injection tend to last for at least 6 weeks. It is technically impossible to reverse the ongoing effects of kenalog injections at 3 weeks post injection because there is no commercially available "antidote" for it. Therefore any side effects post kenalog injection shall be addressed after 6 weeks post last injection.

Karan Chopra, MD · Answer

Hi @JLH3232 I'm sorry you are having this problem. The loss in tissue cannot be corrected with water. Water gets absorbed by the body. A soft tissue filler like what we use for lips or cheeks is the best option. Some last 6 months like hyaluronic acid fillers (juvederm or restylane). Others can last up to 2 years (like radiesse).

Alternatively you could get your own fat injected. The fat is harvested by techniques similar to liposuction and then injected with a tiny needle just like fillers.

Goodluck,

Dr. Chopra

What Will Reverse, Slow Down or Stop a Kenalog 10 Injection I Had into my Face?

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Everything you need to know about Buccal Fat Removal

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What Will Reverse, Slow Down or Stop a Kenalog 10 Injection I Had into my Face?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Buccal Fat Removal

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