What are the odds of the infraorbital nerve repairing itself? It was damaged during a Juvederm Voluma dermal filler procedure.

Question

3 months ago my Aesthetic Surgeon used a cannula & either hit a branch of nerves or hit a blood vessel which caused a bleed, causing scar tissue to form around a nerve. First 5/6 wks minor discomfort with inflammation then I started getting stabbing/shooting pains after the inflammation died down. Constant dull pain, waterfall nerve feelings above lip by nostril and under eye bag. I had days where symptoms disappear but not many. What are my chances of a full recovery & how long will it take?

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

If the nerve was not severed, the chances that it will come back are good.  It is difficult to sever a nerve with a cannula but possible.  It may take up to one year for the sensation to come back.

Kally Papantoniou, MD, FAAD · Answer

Inflammation and or damage to the nerves after a session with fillers is not very common, however it can occur, and most patients recover fully. It can take 6 months to a year in some cases for this to fully resolve, and rarely will remain sensitive when the area is pressed. I find that without cannulas you can often have better control in avoiding these structures and so called "danger zones", even though the cannula is blunt it can cause damage as it is being positioned and repositioned. I hope you come to a complete recovery soon, and I hope this experience does not deter you from having any treatments in the future.

Jeffrey A. Sweat, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems after your Voluma injection.  Definitely injury to the infraorbital nerve is a risk of the procedure due to where the product is injected.  However, nerves are occasionally injured during facelift procedures or cheek implants.  Usually the damage is temporary and recovers over 6-12 months.  However, there are medications that may be helpful as well.  I doubt hyaluronidase (which can dissolve the Voluma) would be of any benefit at this point.  Best of luck!

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question, and I am sorry to hear about your issues after Voluma injections.  Nerve irritation, either through a stretch injury or contusion, can take many months to fully resolve, with improvements possible for a year or more.  I would maintain close follow up with your injector, they should also be able to provide you with nerve specific medication to try and improve your current symptoms.

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD - Account Suspended · Answer

I have seen a few of these cases (thankfully I have not hit any nerves myself with a cannula), it usually takes up to 6-8 months before things go back to normal. I am not a pain specialist, however if you consult a Specialist Pain Doctor, they may prescribe you a tablet called Pregabapentin. This can help reduce the pain and altered sensation. Nerves, unlike other tissue take awhile before settling down. All the bestDr Davin Lim Laser DermatologistBrisbane, Australia

What are the odds of the infraorbital nerve repairing itself? It was damaged during a Juvederm Voluma dermal filler procedure.

Answers (6)

Answer: What are the odds of the infraorbital nerve repairing itself? It was damaged during a Juvederm Voluma dermal filler procedure.

Answer: What are the odds of the infraorbital nerve repairing itself? It was damaged during a Juvederm Voluma dermal filler procedure.

Answer: Up to 6-8 months before recovery

Answer: Up to 6-8 months before recovery

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What are the odds of the infraorbital nerve repairing itself? It was damaged during a Juvederm Voluma dermal filler procedure.

Answers (6)

Answer: What are the odds of the infraorbital nerve repairing itself? It was damaged during a Juvederm Voluma dermal filler procedure.

Answer: What are the odds of the infraorbital nerve repairing itself? It was damaged during a Juvederm Voluma dermal filler procedure.

Answer: Up to 6-8 months before recovery

Answer: Up to 6-8 months before recovery

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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.