“The news is abuzz with stories about patients developing reactions from their dermal fillers after COVID-19 vaccination. But, the truth is- this is not NEW information and we recognized this potential reaction to vaccines previously,” says Pariser Dermatology Specialists Dr. Cyndi Torosky.
What is the Concern?
Delayed nodules or delayed hypersensitivity reactions can occur weeks to months (sometimes over a year) after treatment with dermal fillers. The reaction can cause swelling, warmth, tenderness and sometimes firm nodules within areas previously injected with fillers. According to the numbers, this happens in 1% or less of treated patients. Read on to learn how to LESSEN your chance of this happening.
Risks
It is now recognized that many of the patients that developed these reactions had one of the following just prior or shortly after their filler treatment:
- dental work or dental cleaning
- recent vaccination (including but not limited to the new COVID-19 vaccines)
- recent illness such as bacterial or viral infection (including COVID and other respiratory infections and flu)
Dental work/cleaning causes bacteria from the mouth to temporarily enter the blood circulation and can “seed” the filler site. Vaccinations and bacterial/viral illnesses stimulate the immune response which can then recognize the filler and mistakenly mount an inflammatory response to it.
Treatment
These reactions are temporary and typically resolve on their own. Recently, a patient called about swelling in her cheek the morning after dental work. By the time she came to see me the following day, it had already resolved. For more severe or prolonged reactions, we treat with injections to dissolve the filler, anti-inflammatories and sometimes antibiotics.
Recommendation
As distressing as this may initially seem during a time when everyone is considering vaccination, there is no cause for immediate alarm. We recommend waiting to get your treatment either TWO WEEKS BEFORE or TWO WEEKS AFTER vaccines, dental work, dental cleaning and any bacterial or viral illnesses, including flu and COVID infection and routine upper respiratory infections. Our staff will be working hard to remind our patients of these guidelines.
If you need to reschedule your treatment, call one of our cosmetic specialists at 757-313-5813 and they will take care of you! If you are concerned that you are developing a reaction, please call and come in to be seen.
Happy 2021!
Dr. Cyndi Torosky
