These are common side effects that are usually easily treated. We often receive many questions about swelling. If you are experiencing swelling after a filler treatment and want to know what you can do about it, then read this blog.
Swelling after fillers
The extent of swelling often depends on the treated area. Areas where injections are made superficially often experience swelling more quickly. Think of areas such as smoker's lines, the marionette lines, the nasolabial folds, and under the eyes. Lips are a special case. After a lip filler treatment, swelling always occurs immediately due to the number of blood vessels in the lips. The chance of bruising is also very high. Some fillers are placed directly on the bone, such as in a cheekbone treatment. The closer the filler is placed to the bone, the less chance of swelling.
Swelling due to the filler technique
Swelling after a filler treatment is not only dependent on the treated area. How the filler is placed also influences the amount of swelling that occurs. A filler can be placed with a needle or with a cannula (a needle with a blunt tip). A cannula must find its way under the skin to the area being treated. Because the tip of the needle is blunt, this requires a bit more force and friction. Therefore, a treatment with a cannula results in a greater chance of swelling than a treatment with a needle.
Swelling due to bleeding
If a blood vessel is hit during the filler treatment, the chance of the area swelling is greater. There is a higher chance of hitting a blood vessel if the filler is injected with a needle.
Swelling due to fluid retention
A hyaluronic acid filler has the property of attracting moisture. People who retain a lot of fluid, for example after a poor night's sleep, may not always be suitable for a filler treatment. By placing a filler under the eyes, you fill the area, and the filler thus attracts moisture to seemingly raise the empty tear trough. If you naturally tend to retain fluid under your eyes, there's a higher chance that after a filler treatment, you will attract even more fluid. This results in double the swelling under your eyes. Have the cosmetic doctor determine if you are suitable before a dark circles treatment.
Swelling due to excessive filler use
Excessive use of filler in one spot can cause immediate swelling. I therefore advise never to have too much filler injected at once. Build it up gradually to minimize swelling. Should the swelling persist, the advantage of a hyaluronic acid filler is that it can be dissolved with hyaluronidase.
Swelling due to allergic reaction to filler
You can have the best doctor treating you with the best products, but how your own body reacts to fillers is unpredictable. If you suffer from many allergies, there's a chance your immune system may react extremely to fillers and reject them. This can lead to swelling and other unpleasant problems. At The Body Clinic, you can now take the Bsure DNA-test to determine if you have an increased risk of a filler allergy. In short, swelling after a filler treatment can have various causes. Read up beforehand so you know what to expect. After the treatment, it is good to cool the area. Cold packs are available in all our clinics. A cetirizine tablet can also reduce swelling (available at any drugstore). Most swelling disappears within 48 hours. Should the swelling persist, always contact us.
Nicoline has been working in cosmetic medicine since 2015 and has performed over 30,000 Botox and filler treatments in recent years. Nicoline is registered with the Profile Register Cosmetic Medicine as a Cosmetic Doctor KNMG and is a member of the Dutch Association for Cosmetic Medicine (NVCG). In addition, she was an educator for a long time and, in that capacity, trained various cosmetic doctors and provided training sessions. To stay informed of the latest techniques and products, Nicoline regularly attends conferences at home and abroad. **Honesty and naturalness – that is my starting point** "For me, cosmetic medicine revolves around one thing: a beautiful, natural result where you recognize yourself, but look just a little fresher and more rested. I work carefully and safely, listen carefully to what you want and what you don't want, and give honest advice – even if something turns out not to be necessary. Not every wrinkle needs to be treated. Not every area needs extra volume. My role is to advise what *does* work and what is better left undone. Because 'less is more' is not just a nice saying – it is the core of my working method. Through my many years of experience, both as a practitioner and as an educator, I know exactly how to make subtle improvements that suit your natural face. It's not about nobody seeing that you've had a treatment – it's about everyone seeing how good you look," says Nicoline. **Experience & specializations** - Cosmetic Doctor KNMG since 2015 - 30,000+ Botox and filler treatments - Former educator of cosmetic doctors - Registered in the Profile Register Cosmetic Medicine - Member of the Dutch Association for Cosmetic Medicine (NVCG) - Internationally trained and up-to-date with the latest techniques
