Dermal fillers are increasingly popular to achieve a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance. These injectable treatments help to smooth wrinkles, and plump lips, and restore facial volume. But like with any treatment there are always potential risks and side effects.
Here, we’ll ask the question ‘Can you be allergic to dermal fillers?‘ and learn about the potential risks and minimise.
Understanding Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are made from several materials the main one being hyaluronic acid also known as (HA) is a natural substance that is found in the human body, in the skin, joints, and eyes. HA helps to keep the skin hydrated, plump, and looking youthful making it a great material for dermal fillers.
There are other types of fillers that include materials like calcium hydroxyapatite, poly-L-lactic acid, and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres. – if unsure, always best to speak with your practitioner to see what is being put into you.
The Allergic Reaction Risk
As rare as it is, you still can have an allergic reaction to dermal fillers, these reactions can vary from mild to severe – reactions can be, redness, swelling, or itching where the needle has been injected. In more severe cases the reaction can be difficulty breathing and even an anaphylaxis shock.
However, don’t panic, if any of this was to happen your practitioner is trained to help resolve this quickly and without pain.
Some fillers are more highly to cause a reaction than others, bovine collagen-based fillers can be one of them due to the collagen coming from cow skin, which can lead to some people being allergic to the proteins that are in the filler.
Minimising the Risk of an Allergic Reaction
There are many ways to help stop a reaction from taking place. Here are some.
Speak with your practitioner about the fillers used: Try to use fillers that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction, such as fillers that are hyaluronic acid based. When speaking to your practitioner try to find out what ingredients they are putting inside you and find out what knowledge they have about the different types of fillers and their components.
Patch testing: If you are concerned about the possible risks of a reaction, then ask your practitioner if you can have a patch test before having the treatment. The practitioner will apply a small amount of filler to your skin and will wait to see if any reaction happens. – Whilst this tactic is not 100% guaranteed it will most likely show if you are more prone to reactions in general.
Seek Out a Qualified Practitioner: It’s essential to choose a qualified, experienced practitioner to perform your dermal filler injections.
A true professional will be able to quickly tell you if you are safe and suitable for the treatment, make sure the aftercare has been properly given to you and you understand what is involved when looking after your treatment. Your practitioner should give you an aftercare brochure.
In summary, while allergic reactions to dermal fillers are rare, they can occur. By choosing the right filler, undergoing a patch test, seeking out a qualified practitioner, and following aftercare instructions, you can help minimise the risk of an allergic reaction.
If you think or experience any symptoms of an allergic reaction, it’s very important to call your practitioner straightway and send photos and videos to them to show them what is happening. As if this is the case, the sooner you get their backing the better, it is best not to leave this too long as at times the reaction can be irreversible. In most cases, once the practitioner has spoken to you and re-seen you to treat the issue, your body will go back to normal.