Dermal Filler Infections

Infections related to dermal fillers are very uncommon. Infection is always a risk when a needle is injected into the skin, even with the best sterile technique. Infection can occur immediately or some weeks after the injection. The signs will be redness, tenderness, swelling and pain with or without nodule/s.

This page is only about treatment of infections associated with h******* a*** dermal fillers,

Anecdotally, the h****** a***with the higher particle sizes or those which are placed in a deeper plane or those which require a larger bore needle or cannula seem to have an increased risk for infection.

Also anecdotally, infections are more common in those who have a history of acne and acne scarring.

How to prevent dermal filler infections:

* The patient should not smoke

* The treatment should be as sterile as possible, ie cleaning area, sterile gloves and gauze.

* Keep the area clean until the needle holes close

* Be extra cautious in patients with a history of acne or acne scarring, and consider antibiotic treatment preventatively in this circumstance.

Diagnosing dermal filler infections:

The patient will present with a combination of lump, redness, tenderness, swelling or pus. It is often only on one side of the face.

They may present soon after treatment or weeks to months afterward.

PROTOCOL FOR H******** A*** DERMAL FILLER  INFECTIONS:

* Early antibiotics e.g. Cephalexin 500mg qid PO for 6 weeks

* Add Clindamycin 150mg qid PO if the Cephalexin doesn’t cause improvement

* Removal of product in affected area using a needle if possible. Culture of this material may be performed.

* Hyaluronidase (the drug that dissolves h****** a***) should be considered. I use the concentration of  150U/10 mls. I prefer to only use 10U in the first treatment, but am happy to use up to 15U in subsequent treatments. There are risks associated with this including allergy, ? removing the patient’s own h****** a*** and other issues. A test patch on the arm may be used.

If infective symptoms recur or are not controlled by the above treatment I would consider the following:

* Injection into the affected area with Gentamicin(80mg/2mls) I would use 1ml for an affected cheek. I use 3 treatments of this, one week between the first injections then wait 2 weeks for the last. This schedule may be shortened if necessary.

* Once infection has improved, hylaluronidase, while on oral antibiotic cover.

* Investigations as required

Infective lump after dermal filler for treatment of acne scarring: redness, tenderness swelling pain and pus associated
Infective lump after dermal filler: redness, tenderness, swelling, pain and pus associated
Lump several days after dermal filler: Redness, tenderness, pain and swelling

What to do after dermal filler infection has been treated and has resolved? Can the area be re-injected with dermal filler 

When can dermal filler be used again in the area after an infection has been present and treated? My answer here is that I don’t know. There will always be a significant risk of reinfection. My best guess on the answer to this is “years later”.

Is the patient at higher risk for another infection in the area if they have dermal filler again? Yes

THE MANSE