What is the protocol for safe lip filler touch ups?

Question

Hi, i ve had a lip filler touch up where the injector that is the owner of the spa as well, touched lips complimentary. Now i don t know if she opened a full new syringe just for a tinny bit of correction or she opened a 0.5 ml. Is just very weird for me that someone would open a full syringe for a tinny correction and then throw it. I am scared that she reused other patience filler. Now of course she could ve used a new one being the owner. my question is what is the protocol for touch ups

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Medical doctors and registered nurses are trained in sterile technique. That means not doing anything that could cross contaminating patients. Using the same syringe on more than one patient will cause cross contamination. That is why should never have this type of service by a lay injector. No state legally permits this type of practice which is the unlicensed practice of medicine. Hepatitis and HIV can be transmitted by these sloppy practices. You are not certain what precisely happened by this "touch up" but you are absolutely right to be concerned. I encourage you to report this injector to the Nevada State Medical Board. I also encourage you to see your primary care physician. They can test you for the more serious viruses that can be transferred by these sloppy methods. Don't get injectable from unlicensed individuals.

James M. Economides, MD, FACS · Answer

A syringe of filler may only be used on one patient.  It may not be used for multiple patients as this can introduce contamination and communicable diseases.  If your initial syringe of filler had been used entirely or expired, a new syringe must have been used.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I encourage you to speak to your injector about her policy with regard to using the same syringe for multiple patients.  Needles should never be reused.  Filler syringes are designed to be single use on one patient to avoid cross contamination.

David M. Kowalczyk, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Hello! Great question. If a touch-up is needed, some injectors will provide another syringe for no cost. Others will require the patient to purchase what's needed. The important things are to not re-use any product on another patient and to make sure the patient is happy with his or her outcome. If you have concerns, you can certainly voice them and see what response you get. Hope this helps!

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Each provider will have their own protocol for how to do this.
Syringes of filler are considered single use and it’s generally not recommended to use them for multiple patients.
That said filler can be sterile and separated into separate syringes without risk of contamination to the patient.
It’s highly unlikely your provider injected you with a product that’s contaminated from another patient.
To do so would technically require using the same needle..
If you have questions about this then you should talk to your provider about it.
Likewise, different providers have different policies regarding the charge for opening a new syringe for a touchup procedure.
Ideally providers obtain sufficient skill and experience to not warrant frequent touchup procedures.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

What is the protocol for safe lip filler touch ups?

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