Is it likely that a nurse who injected me with filler used syringes that had been used on others?

Question

I met with a nurse and requested 1 syringe of Juvederm filler for my chin. I paid $600. She ended up giving me a combination of 3 fillers. Afterwards, through text, I asked her what she gave me and how much. This is what she said : "Volift. Juvederm. Teosyal. ultimate( Just a bit)". I thought these syringes came pre-filled. Is it possible to inject someone with "just a bit" of Teosyal? Did she use partially filled syringes? If so, I believe this would mean that she used them with other people.

Jamil Ahmad, MD · Answer

The number one concern of any medical practice is the health and safety of it's patients. Dermal fillers come prepackaged for single use and we do not store partial filler for later use to avoid any possibility of contamination. I would advise you to meet with your nurse injector to review the notes on your treatment. Product lot numbers are generally documented in the client's record for future treatment reference as well as for inventory control.

Martin Ray, MD · Answer

Hi Jean,
Thank you for your question - it brings up a very important consumer point.
It is a good idea to educate yourself about what products are being injected and how they are being injected into your body. Your injector should keep records of the product used, including the lot number with expiration date, location, amount of product injected, and whether needle or cannula is used. Any suspected issues during the treatment should also be recorded. Please know that you are fully within your rights to ask for a copy of your treatment record.
In your case it sounds like only two types of filler were used: Juvederm Volift and Teosyal Ultimate. Juvederm syringes are pre-filled to 1 cc. Ultimate can be purchased in both 1 and 3ml syringes. All producers of product recommend injecting only from the original syringe. Some physicians will carefully take product using aseptic technique and transfer the product into smaller syringes; they might then use these different syringes in different patients. Some physicians may take product from the original syringe and blend the product with saline, then filling the product into two sterile syringes. This creates a thinner blend and twice the volume. This process of blending and splitting syringes has been safely utilized for years by many of the worlds best and most respected injectors. You should have knowledge if this process is to be utilized for you and made aware of any potential risks, however small they may be.
No injector in their right mind would ever use the same syringe in two different patients!

Jared Mallalieu, DO · Answer

Sorry to hear about your experience. I would return and ask this provider to show you the lot numbers that she used. This will let you know which exact products were used. These syringes come pre-filled and should not be "shared" between patients. Technically it would be possible to do this and maintain sterility, but it would be odd. Best of luck, Dr. M

Spa 35 - Boise · Answer

It is possibly to take one syringe of filler and place it in new syringes with smaller amounts of it. So it is very possible (and likely) that she had used that technique. However, I think it is good to ask questions and know what you are having done and with what needles. I think it is a fair question to ask your injector. Best of luck!

Jeremy S. Hurren, BSc, MBBS, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

It would be possible to transfer filler from the prefilled syringe to another syringe or other syringes. This is not something I would recommend but could be done so what you describe does not mean that the syringes were used on someone else.  It is medically unacceptable and irresponsible to use the same syringe on two different patients. If a medical practitioner was doing this they should be reported to the authorities as it would be possible to transfer infections between patients. Best wishes

Is it likely that a nurse who injected me with filler used syringes that had been used on others?

Answers (6)

Answer: Not necessarily

Answer: Not necessarily

Answer: Multiple fillers and the same syringe on different people

Answer: Multiple fillers and the same syringe on different people

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.

Is it likely that a nurse who injected me with filler used syringes that had been used on others?

Answers (6)

Answer: Not necessarily

Answer: Not necessarily

Answer: Multiple fillers and the same syringe on different people

Answer: Multiple fillers and the same syringe on different people

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.