I'm having a strange, delayed, reaction to Voluma and Volbella injections in my lips and cheeks. What is happening? (photo)

Question

I had Voluma injected into my cheeks, and Volbella in my lips in March 2014. I had a touch up of Volbella in my lips in June 2014. Now (August 17), my upper left lip swelled up. The next day my right cheek and the lower part of my lip was swollen, but the upper part was not. Now, my left cheek and right lips are swollen, right cheek is not. It moves from side to side, and when one side flairs up, the other side goes down. The areas with the swelling are exactly where the filler was injected.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

This is unusual and you should see your injector as soon as you can. I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing this! It may be an allergic reaction, infection or perhaps excess product.

Mariusz Sapijaszko, MD, FRCPC · Answer

Your concerns are not very common at all and I would recommend that you review your concerns with your doctor as soon as you can.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is important to obtain an in person evaluation from your injector. This way you can be assessed and discuss your concerns. You may require a hyaluronidase injection to dissolve the product. Best,

Arianna Sholes-Douglas, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, it sounds that you are having a delayed response to the filler. It seems that we are seeing this more and more across the board with fillers. It is self-limiting and responds to  anti-histamines. Ideally the product should be removed with a substance (hyaluronidase) that dissolves the filler. That's a bummer after you have invested in it, I know. I have also placed patients on a short course of steroids. Follow up with your provider to see how they can help get this resolved.

Sameer Bashey, MD · Answer

touch base with your doctor. I do a lot of injections with voluma and volbella and have never seen this. perhaps a course of oral steroids and/or anti-histamines may be necessary.

I'm having a strange, delayed, reaction to Voluma and Volbella injections in my lips and cheeks. What is happening? (photo)

Answers (9)