Will Vicodin Reduce the Pain During Facial Fillers with Restylane or Juvederm?

Question

Mark Berkowitz, MD · Answer

I have been performing fillers for close to two decades and have never had to give a patient a pain killer. Most patients do very well with ice prior to help any discomfort. Both Restylane and Juvederm come preloaded with Lidocaine which freezes or numbs the area. A Well skilled cosmetic surgeon can directly freeze the area to be injected. Lastly many physicians use the "Ouchless" needle to calm patients' fears.

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

Restylane contains lidocaine and typically doesn't require that you take any pain medication prior to injection(s). Topical numbing cream and ice usually suffice for the discomfort upon treatment.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Topical numbing plus the numbing in the filler is now so good that supplemental nerve blocks or even the ouchless needle is not really needed. There are individuals who have a panic disorder -needle phobes -who faint at the sight of a needle. These individuals essentially need an anesthesiologist to sedate them in order to have service. As you can image this adds to the cost of having the service.

Sheri G. Feldman, MD · Answer

Vicodin is not necessary for fillers. In addition to topical numbing creams and ice packs, distraction techniques are also excellent. Bring your iPhone/headset and listen to some music. We have TV"s in our exam rooms so patients can watch or listen to their favorite shows as well. Also, most of the fillers have Lidocaine added already which lessens the pain considerably.

Barry Resnik, MD · Answer

Pain killers are not needed for facial filler injections. Ice packs, topical numbing cream and good technique make the procedures eminently tolerable.

Peterson Pierre, MD · Answer

Vicodin in unnecessary for this treatment and I don't think it would help much. There is much available to ease discomfort: ice prior to the injection, lidocaine (numbing agent) in the filler, topical anesthesia, local nerve blocks. Filler treatments are much more comfortable than they used to be.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Yikes, yes it can but this sounds extreme for facial fillers like Perlane, Restylane or Juvederm that comes with a local anesthetic already mixed in for added comfort.

David Alessi, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Generally speaking, ice and numbing cream applied before the fillers is sufficient to keep the patient comfortable. Also, the fillers come pre-mixed with a local anesthetic and that also reduces pain. All in all the experience should be pleasant and tolerable.

Mitchell Schwartz, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Oral pain relief medication is never necessary for facial filler injections. There are many tricks to minimizing the discomfort of these injections. Usually "fear of the unknown" is the worst part. The more tense you are, the more you feel. The following are my suggestions to minimize discomfort:
	1. Most facial fillers, including Restylane and Juvederm, come pre-mixed with lidocaine, which helps considerably.
	2. I use a topical anesthetic ointment containing Lidocaine, Prilocaine and Phenylephrine which really works if you give it enough time before the injection.
	3. "Talk-Aesthesia" to relax the patient.
	4. A squeeze ball as a last resort because it can be counter-productive to tense up any part of your body (as a patient of mine, a Tai Chi instructor, pointed out).

Will Vicodin Reduce the Pain During Facial Fillers with Restylane or Juvederm?

Answers (9)