Can unused filler be saved?

Question

Can filler that remains in the syringe be stored and re-used later? And if so for how long can they be saved? Does their consistency change in anyway if saved e.g do they become harder?

Margaret Weiss, MD · Answer

It is not a good idea to save fillers and re-use them. There are too many safety and health risks involved by storing and re-using filler.

Karen Nern, MD · Answer

I do not save filler because of the risk of infection.  Most companies make 1/2 syringes if you only need a little.

Edwin Ishoo, MD · Answer

Yes. Fillers are routinely saved for patients at room temperature, in clean environment with replacement of sterile cap for up to 6 months. patients can not be expected to use an entire syringe every time they desire a touch up or improvement. Occasionally a patient may need more than one syringe but not exactly 2. The compulsion of using an entire syringe may lead to the over filled effect which has become so common especially in the hands of inexperienced providers. It is better and less expensive to approach correct volume with a 2-3 step approach rather than over inject and have to tolerate disfigurement for months or bear the cost of hyaluronidase injection (if the filler is HA). If the filler is CHA such as Radiesse, I recommend being very careful as there is no way to dissolve it if it is injected improperly.Also, as a consumer, you can always ask to see the box of the filler which should have your name and date of last use written on it. No provider should ever inject a patient with another person's partial syringe. The syringe should be capped immediately after use and a new needle should be used every time even if its being injected in the same person. This routine will minimize any risk of infection by product contamination.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

Do "injectors" do this? Yes. Should they? Absolutely not. There is a small risk of developing an injection with a subsequent treatment with the same syringe. There is also a very real risk of receiving treatment with a syringe that was used previously on a patient other than you. For that reason, it is definitely not worth the risk. Further, I have yet to meet a person interested in filler treatment that couldn't benefit from a minimum of 1 syringe of filler. Safety and exceptional results should be the most important consideration when you choose an injector. Both are priceless. Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear Daswissbeats,In general, it is ill-advised to
try to save and re-use soft tissue fillers. 
This increases the risk of contamination and subsequent infection and
many of these fillers are very long-lasting and the risk of re-injection after
opening the syringe is a risk that generally should not be taken.

From a practical standpoint, most
experienced aesthetic physicians will be judging the volume needs of your soft
tissue injection process to the syringe and will not plan nor need to subdivide
syringes.  The manufacturing companies do
provide half-syringe amounts for these rare circumstances where that may be
necessary.  So, my advice would be to not
attempt to store unused syringes of filler, but to deploy full-syringe and
half-syringe amounts 100% of the time.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

R. Stephen Mulholland, Certified
Plastic Surgeon, Yorkville, Toronto

Can unused filler be saved?

Answers (5)

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