Complications after fillers: where do they come from and how to avoid them

Often, advertising for the contouring procedure only shows the positive aspects of the final result. In turn, experts also prefer to remain silent about possible complications after the procedure. It is for this reason that even the slightest deviation from the desired result becomes a real and unexpected blow for patients. The most common problems that appear after beauty injections include lumps and bumps.

Every patient dreams of seeing herself young and renewed immediately after an expensive session, but there are times when the gel, which has formed into lumps, swelling and redness, greatly distorts the desired picture. What is the reason for this problem and should I worry? Should I seek medical help or will it go away on its own? Many questions worry women who have decided to undergo this procedure, but it is worth noting that all lumps and other skin reactions often have a different nature of formation and require different ways to deal with them.

What cases are considered normal, examples

Not every woman who has undergone a correction session for the first time is ready to discover ridges and compacted bumps. It is worth considering that you should not always worry about this, namely:

If the gel is injected to the correct depth, it can be felt with your fingers, but visually this will not be noticeable. Often, this feature is characteristic of dense types of fillers. Over time, the lumps will noticeably soften and smooth out.
Do not forget that for a couple of hours or even a day after the contouring injection, the drug continues to dissolve in the tissues. Therefore, there are a lot of rules and post-procedural restrictions. It is worth noting that control over this process is possible with the help of proper massage, which will proportionally distribute the filler. Experts do not recommend doing it yourself; it is better to seek help from professionals. Only they know the amount of pressure allowed on the area treated with injections. You need to use the services of a cosmetologist who himself administered this injection.

Is it possible to completely avoid the appearance of edema after the injection of fillers? And how to get rid of them?

There is a special “careful” option for introducing hyaluronic fillers: regardless of the basic technique (a series of sequential injections or linear tunnels), the needle is not completely pulled out of the skin, but simply changes the direction of its movement - due to this, the total number of punctures is reduced.
The size of the swelling after injections is noticeably reduced by applying ice to the correction sites for 5-10 minutes. The patient can continue ice treatment at home, repeating the application procedure at intervals of several hours; it is only important not to get carried away and remember the possibility of thermal injury to the skin.
Normal, unproblematic swelling goes away on its own after 2-3 days; on the lips it can linger longer - up to 5-10 days. The more often the correction is performed and the more filler is introduced into the soft tissues, the longer the swelling lasts (in some cases up to a week) and the more noticeable it is.
If it seems that “something went wrong,” you should first contact the cosmetologist who performed the procedure: it will not be difficult for a competent specialist to correct his own mistake. But if you have doubts about the master’s qualifications (for example, when the injections were done in an unfamiliar salon/clinic), it makes sense to immediately consult with his more authoritative colleagues.

Methods for determining correct and incorrect filler injection

Everything is quite banal, since you need to go to the mirror, and, looking at yourself, answer some questions, namely:

Are gel accumulations visible under the skin layer?
Is there significant facial asymmetry?
whether there are any unusual deformities in specific areas of the face that may have occurred due to gel migration.

If the answer is yes to at least one of the questions, it is important not to hesitate to visit the doctor. There is no need to start panicking, since asymmetry can be caused by normal swelling due to the injection.

Is there a possible complication after injections in the form of lumps?

In other cases, the occurrence of compactions is not normal and negates the entire acquired aesthetic effect of the procedure; moreover, the situation is fraught with significant health problems:

Not deep injection of the product as an incorrectly performed injection or too much filler for a person with thin skin type. Therefore, the volumes of gel near the surface of the skin will be traced visually. They can be visible on the surface as an oval formation in blue or gray shades, the so-called Tyndall effect. Under the thin skin of the lips, such a formation will resemble a capsule filled with liquid. There are only 2 options here: do nothing for 1 or 2 months and wait until the lump resolves or remove the remaining filler by injecting hyaluronidase. The second option will be much faster than the first.
Inflammation. It can develop not only in a certain area that is subject to correction, but throughout the entire work area. Often, the main source of inflammation is considered to be living microorganisms that find themselves inside tissues through puncture and modified immune reactivity, which is typical for patients with autoimmune diseases and others. The main symptoms include redness of the skin, increased temperature of a localized area of the body, painful sensations, and the presence of lumps. Such symptoms are eliminated by taking certain antibiotics. It is worth contacting specialists immediately, since otherwise necrosis of tissues that have been infected is possible.
Collection of blood. This complication appears after lip correction, since it is in this area that a huge number of vessels and capillaries are located. It is worth noting that the bump on the lip will be very painful and noticeable with a pronounced brown tint near the edge of the lips.

Such seals do not require treatment and are capable of self-resorption after several days. They tend to form on the lips, but not on other parts of the face, since the blood there evenly nourishes the tissues. As a result, even and extensive hematomas may occur.

Growth of connective tissue, formation of nodules, cysts and scars. These formations are characteristic of fillers based on hyaluronic acid; its molecules are capable of stimulating fibroblasts, the so-called skin cells responsible for the formation of connective tissue fibers. We are talking about elastin and collagen. It is worth knowing that excessive stimulation can lead to the formation of accumulations of layers of connective tissue, as well as the appearance of a scar, which can not only be detected by touch, but also be visually noticeable. This may happen in a week, a month or even a few days. This is very dangerous in the area of the lips themselves, as it is fraught with possible asymmetry.

It is necessary to promptly distinguish a scar from a cyst - a so-called cavity formation that fills with fluid. Diagnosis can only be made using ultrasound. The treatment method in the two mentioned situations has a number of differences, so timely ultrasound will help identify the problem.

Features of care after facial fillers

In order to quickly get back into shape after the procedure and maintain the results for as long as possible, you must follow the care recommendations in the first days after the filler injection:

The treated area should be handled with the utmost care. Do not touch your face with your hands.
Do not wash your face or use aggressive, alkaline products.
You cannot massage or use active facial expressions so that the filler does not move and the position of the substance in the subcutaneous layers is not disturbed.
You are allowed to use only those drugs and cosmetics that are approved by a cosmetologist. The usual means need to be put aside for now.
It is prohibited to carry out procedures involving high temperatures. You cannot go to the bathhouse, sauna, solarium or sunbathe on the beach.
To avoid infection, you should not visit a pool or other open body of water until the puncture sites heal.
Physical activity will have to be postponed for a couple of weeks.
Also, for the first couple of days you will have to stay at home so as not to be exposed to ultraviolet radiation, especially if the fillers were introduced in the summer.
In order not to increase swelling, you should not drink a lot of water or eat salty or spicy foods for several days.

The doctor will give recommendations on the choice of cosmetics for the care and restoration of facial skin

Neglecting these simple rules can lead to skin damage, infection, and other complications. As a result, the rehabilitation period will greatly shift. Plus, the consequences of complications will have to be treated additionally.

Skin care after filler also includes a special diet. Within 3-5 days you will have to review your usual menu. You should eat lighter, lower-calorie foods.

The body's main forces will be devoted to restoration, so digestion should not take a lot of energy. Just as before the procedure, after the injection of fillers it is recommended to refrain from alcohol and tonic drinks, such as tea and coffee, and energy drinks. It is better to drink plain, still and non-mineral water.

Special masks during care after fillers help you get back into shape. They are made from light products with a calming effect. The following ingredients will be required:

Gel Troxevasin or Troxerutin, since it relieves swelling, soothes blood vessels and eliminates hyperemia.
Chlorhexidine. This is an antiseptic that disinfects the skin and micro-wounds.
Aloe extract accelerates healing and relieves irritation.
Traumeel-S.

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In a non-metallic bowl, mix a teaspoon of Troxevasin with 1 ml of Chlorhexidine and half an ampoule of aloe juice, as well as Traumeel-S gel. The result is a cream that is thoroughly mixed until smooth.

The mask should be applied to dry facial skin. For a better effect, it is secured with film. The compress is kept for 10-15 minutes, then removed with cotton pads containing Chlorhexidine. But you don’t have to wash it off if you don’t have to go outside. The compress is applied every day for a week. The mask accelerates healing, eliminates bruises and hematomas, removes redness and reduces pain.

All these rules are general. But depending on the place where fillers are used, there are nuances in post-procedure care.

Watch this video on how to care for your face after filler injections:

Behind the lips

This is the most popular part of the body that is adjusted. Most often, clients want to make their lips more voluminous and sensual, smooth out wrinkles and folds on the skin and around the mouth.

But correction with fillers on this part of the face must be done very carefully, as there is a high risk of overdoing it and getting an unpleasant result. Therefore, you should only contact trusted specialists who have real reviews from their clients and examples of work. It is also important to clearly discuss with your doctor in advance what specific effect you want to achieve.

A couple of weeks after the procedure, you need to visit the doctor again to determine the quality of the result and the need for additional correction.

Lip care after filler injection includes the following:

During the week you should not eat rough, hard food. It is prohibited to chew nuts, fruits and vegetables. Any strong facial expressions and activity with the lips leads to damage to the filler and skin.
You cannot be exposed to UV rays for 14 days or stay at temperatures below 0 degrees. Sudden changes in cold and heat are also poorly reflected.
You should not use cosmetics, lipsticks or lip glosses for two weeks.
You only need to sleep on your back.
You should not bite your lips or pinch them so that the filler does not release. In addition, you will have to avoid kissing during the rehabilitation period.

Only by following all these rules can you get the expected result.

Watch this video on how to care for your lips after lip augmentation with fillers:

After insertion into the nasolabial folds

Nasolabial folds are a sign of age-related changes. Therefore, getting rid of them immediately allows you to visually lose several years.

In addition to the general rules, care after injection of fillers into the nasolabial folds includes the following features:

After the procedure, you must maintain a vertical position for 5-6 hours.
In the first two days, puncture sites can only be treated with Chlohexidine or Miramistin.
To relieve swelling in this area, apply cold compresses for 10-15 minutes every hour.
After a week, you can go outside only after applying sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to your skin. You will have to use sunscreens for 3 months, since ultraviolet radiation destroys the substances introduced.
You will have to abandon such cosmetic procedures as microcurrents, massage, phonophoresis and electromyostimulation.
Ketonal, Ketonov and Nise will help reduce pain. All drugs are used in tablets.
Vitamin C or Ascorutin will help get rid of bruises faster, as they strengthen the walls of the capillaries.
To avoid viral infection, you need to take Acyclovir or Valtrex. The risk of exacerbation of herpes, which will negate all efforts, will be significantly reduced.

If, two weeks after all the swelling has gone, you are not satisfied with the appearance, you can always consult the doctor who performed the procedure. He will develop a correction plan.

Care after fillers under the eyes

Bruising in the nasolacrimal trough adds age and creates a more tired appearance. For many people, they are caused by the structure of the face, so even with proper nutrition and good sleep, it is quite difficult to get rid of them. Injecting fillers under the eyes solves this problem.

In addition, thanks to contour plastic surgery of this area, it is possible to:

eliminate swelling;
accelerate cell renewal;
smooth out creases;
increase skin elasticity and firmness;
lighten pigment spots and hyperemia.

This area is very sensitive and delicate, so it should only be trusted by qualified doctors.

After the injection of fillers, slight swelling and bruising will form at the puncture sites. All this goes away on its own without external intervention. There may be soreness under the eyes.

Proper facial care after fillers will help maintain the results:

The puncture sites should not be touched with your hands.
You must maintain an upright position for 5-6 hours after the procedure. At night you can only sleep on your back.
You should not drink a lot of water at night for a couple of weeks, so as not to provoke the appearance of edema.
It is forbidden to massage the face or use various hardware techniques to smooth out wrinkles and bruises.
Physical activity should be kept to a minimum for the next two weeks.
Taking vitamin K will help reduce bruising and swelling. Vitamin C strengthens blood vessels and restores them. Cold compresses applied after treating the skin with Chlorhexidine will help remove swelling.

And here is more information about the effect of alcohol after mesotherapy on the rehabilitation process.

To get the desired result after injection of fillers, you need to follow the recommendations before and after the procedure. The final effect largely depends on the quality of the rehabilitation period. With a reasonable approach, it is possible to avoid problems and complications.

Although biorevitalization is almost completely safe, the doctor decides how often it should be done and how much it is needed. For example, it can be done from the age of 25 with hyaluronic acid for the face; it is necessary for ladies after forty as well, but with a larger number of procedures.

Papules almost always appear after biorevitalization. If they are red and itchy, this may indicate an allergy. How long they last is affected by the composition of the cocktails, age and even the time of year. When do they pass normally? How to remove if they haven’t resolved?

Cosmetologists categorically do not recommend massage after biorevitalization, as it can nullify all the results. When can you do a massage after biorevitalization?

Biorevitalization after Botox is acceptable. It can and even should be done, but when and after how long will be decided by the cosmetologist. Ideally, you can inject Botox after biorevitalization after 2-3 weeks, but if you do the opposite, then the break will be 2-3 months.

Proper care after mesotherapy will ensure a minimum of negative consequences. In general, it is almost the same for fractional, injection and non-injection procedures, however, after the first two, it is necessary to additionally treat facial skin punctures at home.

A method for getting rid of compacted formations and bumps after injection of fillers

It is worth noting that contour plastic surgery is no longer a new vector in cosmetology, which is why there are developments regarding the correct technique for administering drugs, as well as in the timely elimination of unsatisfactory results.

It is worth considering them in more detail:

Strict adherence to restrictions and rules of facial skin care during the rehabilitation period. You should forget about your own habits, slow down your normal pace of life and come for appointments with your cosmetologist only for 1 or 2 weeks after the procedure (injections). There are no difficulties in this compared to the possible difficulties that may arise with the appearance of lumps or other complications.

Additional injections of additional volumes of gel to correct the formed hardening. At this stage, this is one of the most popular correction methods, which only veils the acquired complication for a short time, but can also have the opposite effect from the expected one.

It is worth carrying out additional injection of fillers, the so-called “finishing”, only after detecting facial asymmetry from the first injection of the drug.

Perhaps it was not enough and it is worth replenishing the filler to form the required volume. It happens that additional injection is not able to veil the defect; moreover, it makes the defect even more noticeable. The drug, which is injected repeatedly, literally pushes the lump to the surface, increasing the likelihood of the formation of lumps from the layers of connective tissue.

Even when it is possible to successfully disguise existing problems, there is no guarantee that they will reappear and will need new correction. Scarring is considered the most dangerous, since if time is lost, the risk of getting a completely unpredictable result and expensive treatment increases.

The introduction of products that can accelerate the destruction and removal of hyaluronic acid. The introduction of the hyaluronidase enzyme can remove HA-based filler within a few days. The main indications for use include:

Hypercorrection (introduction of a large volume of gel, higher than normal);
Transparency and visibility of the filler through the surface of the skin (translucency). This is due to the shallow injection of the drug into areas of thin skin;
Infection in the tissue where the filler resides;
Great formation of connective tissue;
Pressure on blood vessels, which can lead to tissue necrosis (death).

Causes of swelling after injection of fillers

A slight swelling of soft tissues after the introduction of hyaluronic fillers is not considered a complication; this is an expected effect that occurs due to a combination of two factors:

Natural reaction of the skin to injections and associated microtraumas.
A special property of HA is hydrophilicity - i.e. the ability to accumulate and retain moisture in the intercellular matrix

The cosmetologist warns the patient about the possibility of such swelling even during planning the procedure. They go away on their own, after 2-3 days (sometimes a little longer, here a lot depends on the individual characteristics of the body). You can additionally speed up the disappearance of “traumatic” swelling by simply applying ice to problem areas.

Photo 1 – pronounced swelling after injections in the paraorbital area:

It is much worse if the swelling is severe and persists for a long time. There may be several reasons for this, but the most common is the cosmetologist’s mistake when choosing the type and dosage of the drug or during injections:

Excessive administration of HA into soft tissues, especially with lip augmentation, almost always provokes prolonged swelling. In this case, injections of hyaluronidase, manual kneading massage, physiotherapy, etc. can help (for more details, see the article “How to remove hyaluronic acid from the lips”) Superficial introduction of high-density HA can lead to the appearance of swellings, cords and other tissue deformations. This most often occurs in the sensitive area around the eyes.
Infection is perhaps the most unpleasant scenario. It occurs due to gross violations of the injection technique or due to insufficient purification of the drug itself. It can cause many associated complications, even life-threatening, therefore, at the first suspicion of infection, you should urgently seek medical help. Main symptoms: swelling does not go away over time, but only increases and causes pain.
Failure of the patient to comply with post-procedure recommendations: experts usually advise in the first 5-10 days after “beauty injections” not to drink alcohol and other foods that lead to the accumulation and retention of moisture in the tissues, and also to refrain from visiting the solarium, sauna and protect the treated area from direct sun rays.

An important nuance: there is a category of people whose body is initially prone to severe swelling. Even a perfectly selected drug and low-traumatic injection techniques will not help such “lucky ones” - for the first few days, the treated area will look, frankly, terrible. There is only one way out - to plan the time of the procedure in advance so that you have at least a week in reserve before important meetings and appearances.

Photo 2 – swelling on the second day after lip contouring:

Injections of antiviral enzymes and glucocorticosteroids

It is worth knowing that steroid hormones can suppress the activity of cells in the immune system itself, and also help scars and granulomas resolve. These injections are recommended for:

The appearance of a foreign formation (filler). Often it can cause a violent reaction of the immune system, but this should not be confused with an inflammatory process due to bacterial infection.
If hyperstimulation of fibroblasts contributed to the rapid growth of compactions in connective tissues.
The formation of a capsule from the connective tissue itself prevents the gel from dissolving and promotes the rapid growth of granulomas.

A small dose of the drug is to be administered locally to a specific area. Often, a single injection is enough to obtain the desired result. It is no secret that these injections can also provoke complications, or rather the formation of retracted atrophic scars at the injection sites. In addition, they are practically ineffective in combating seals on the lip area.

It happens that bumps are the result of an infection, but a dishonest cosmetologist will try to refuse to admit his own guilt and blame everything on allergic manifestations. Steroids are prescribed to eliminate fictitious allergies. Since they kill local immunity, the inflammatory process begins to progress, acquiring quite serious forms.

To correct connective tissue or scar defects, drugs are used, for example, Longidases or Lidases. They have a minimal number of contraindications, and they do not affect the immune system. The capabilities and principle of action of these drugs are reminiscent of steroids.

Hardware type of cosmetology

There are procedures that can speed up metabolism within tissues. As a result, the gel that has accumulated in lumps is reabsorbed. Hardware procedures include darsonval and ultrasound massage. They are prescribed only in the absence of fibrosis, hemorrhages and inflammatory processes. The disadvantage of this technique is the slow result, but a significant advantage of the procedures is the absence of the likelihood of complications such as atrophic scars or allergic manifestations.

Plastic surgery is often left for later, as a backup option. It is used only if the bumps are not subject to the standard type of treatment. Surgical intervention will help eliminate complex cysts, insoluble biopolymer gels, as well as connecting nodes. An ordinary cyst can be eliminated using a standard puncture; thanks to internal incisions in the oral mucosa, the nodes can be removed. In turn, biopolymers are not always removed from tissues without causing scars on the face. That is why this type of filler has been prohibited for use for many years.

How to get rid of the problem

When treating scars, it is advisable to contact a specialist at the earliest stages. Exclusively home treatment, especially with deep skin fibrosis, can worsen the condition and course of the disease. In addition, loss of time for full treatment always aggravates the pathological process.

At home

Home treatment for fibrous scarring helps either in the first stages of compaction formation, or as an auxiliary method in complex medical treatment.

It is forbidden:

rub the scar with plant materials, including celandine;
intensively massage the formation without consulting a doctor;
squeeze out suspicious formations;
irradiate the affected area with ultraviolet light, sunbathe, visit a sauna, bathhouse.

Massage

Convex scars can be softened through gentle massage after lubricating the seal with medicated anti-scar ointments. The optimal number of massage repetitions is 3 times a day.

Massage techniques are performed with 2 and 3 fingers 10 times:

Along the contour of the scar, make 10 circles to the right and 10 to the left.
Alternate the circle to the right and immediately to the left (10 times).
Zigzag downward movement.
Zigzag up.
Combine zigzags down and up, alternating movements.
“Eight” to the right and then to the left (10 times each).
The figure-of-eight combination is left-right.
Vibrating movements with gentle pressure connected by the ring and middle fingers.

Each technique should be repeated at least 10 times. After the massage, it is advisable to apply a light-pressure bandage made of natural fabric to the scar for half an hour.

Oils and masks

If scar fibrosis of the skin is diagnosed, you should use cosmetics and masks that moisturize and nourish the dermis, smoothing the surface of the skin. Such products should contain fruit acids, lipids, vitamin E, F, and retinol. It is advisable to use masks with natural oils in the absence of allergies: grape seed oil, jojoba, peach, wheat germ. As a rule, they are used for a long time as part of complex treatment of scars.

If the scars are located on open areas of the body, it is necessary to use ultraviolet radiation creams with a protection level of SPF 30 or higher for a year. This reduces the risk of skin hyperpigmentation in the scar area.

Drugs

The pharmacy chain offers many anti-scar external products in the form of creams, gels, sprays, ointments, but in each specific case a competent selection is necessary, so it is advisable to consult a dermatologist.

Experts insist that the effect of external agents is fully manifested only when treating young scars (up to 12 months). This can prevent further growth of scar tissue and reduce pigmentation, itching and redness.

Old fibrosis is treated using injections, hardware cosmetology, laser and cryotherapy, and surgical interventions. Local medications help with mature scar cords, but only as an addition to the main therapy to soften, reduce the size and height of the scar, and lighten it.

The most effective ointments and gels:

Contractubex . Reduces the proliferation of fibrous fibers and has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. It is used in the treatment of various types of scars. To enhance the therapeutic effect, Contractubex is used in combination with physiotherapy. It is allowed to apply the gel to steamed skin. For old scars, the gel is applied in the evening under an airtight bandage. Treatment can last up to six months.
Fermenkol . Destroys excess collagen fibers that make up raised scars. It consists of enzymes that suppress collagen production, making it effective in the treatment of mature scars (over 6 years old). For maximum effect, it is advisable to use this cream together with electrophoresis.
Mederma . Helps in the resorption of cosmetic scars remaining after the removal of skin lesions, tattoos, conglobate acne, and other damage after aggressive chemical or laser peels.
Alandaza . Natural hyaluronidase in the product softens scar tissue and restores elasticity.
Imoferase. Stabilized hyaluronidase suppresses excessive growth of connective tissue, increases skin elasticity, reduces hyperpigmentation and swelling in the scar area. Apply only after complete healing of the damage for 4–8 weeks and longer if necessary.
Egallohit (cream and gel). Prevents the appearance of various types of scars after burns, dermabrasion, peeling, laser resurfacing, and surgical operations. Use for at least 1 – 2 months.
Dermatix silicone gel. It is used for scars of various types and complexity. Smoothes and softens the dermis, maintains high skin moisture in the scar area, prevents their formation, relieves itching, and skin pigmentation disorders. The course is at least 2 months. Can be used as a basis for compresses.
Emulgel Emeran . Eliminates swelling, tension, accelerates the resorption of seals. Can be applied under a cotton compress.
Kelo-cote silicone spray and gel . Used to eliminate the consequences of hypertrophied scar development.
Skarguard . Contains three valuable components: the hormone hydrocortisone, silicone and vitamin E, due to which it is active on different types of scars.
Zeraderm-Ultra . The best option for treating facial scars, as it simultaneously protects against ultraviolet radiation and allows the use of makeup.
Silicone plates or patches for scars - Scarfix (USA), Mepiform (Sweden), Arilis Mepiderm (Russia), Spenko. In essence, the patches are a frozen gel, and it is advisable to begin using them immediately after the wound has healed in order to prevent fibrous compaction and increase blood flow. Silicone sheets help resolve young keloid scars with regular use from 2 to 18 months if used daily for 12 to 24 hours.

Ointment for scars and scars on the face can be prepared at home, as the video below will tell you about:

Treatment without surgery

Several types of treatment for fibrous scar formations are being considered. Since the types of scars are different and have different reasons for their appearance, an individual treatment regimen must be developed for a specific type.

Important! A method that helps get rid of one type of scar may be completely unacceptable when treating another.

Medication

Treatment with medications involves the use of an injection technique, which is based on the introduction of drug solutions under the scar or into its thickness. Pronounced therapeutic results are obtained from solutions of drugs that inhibit the growth of connective tissue:

glucocorticosteroids (Kenalog, Diprospan). Hormonal agents significantly reduce collagen production and inhibit the formation of scar tissue, relieve the inflammatory process. Traditionally, they are administered at intervals of 3–6 weeks until the maximum effect is achieved: reduction in scar height, leveling, elimination of symptoms of itching and soreness. The effectiveness of this treatment is very high;
enzymes (Lidase, Fermenkol, Hyaluronidase, Longidase). Enzymes break down hyaluronic acid, which seals fibrous tissue, which reduces scar swelling, softens the seals and makes them flatter, preventing further growth. Hyaluronidase is administered daily or every other day in up to 15 or more injections. If necessary, the course is repeated after 2 months.

The video below will tell you how to prepare a mask for scars and scars on the face:

Physiotherapeutic techniques

Most often used for visual correction of scar defects:

Phonophoresis is a physiotherapeutic technique for introducing therapeutic agents into scar tissue using ultrasonic waves. Very often, drugs such as Lidaza, Kenalog, Diprospan, Contractubex, Collalysin, Longidaza, Hydrocortisone ointment, Fermencol are used for phonophoresis. Ultrasonic waves promote deep penetration of medicinal substances into tissues and provide:

improved blood circulation and lymph flow thanks to micromassage;
stimulation of intercellular metabolism;
saturation of tissues with oxygen;
acceleration of redox processes;
suppression of inflammation and swelling.

Electrostatic massage . Causes deep vibration of fibrous-scar formations due to the effect of a pulsating electrostatic field on them, which enhances blood microcirculation and softens fibrous fibers.
LPG massage also softens the structure of scar tissue, which leads to resorption and smoothing of scars.
Bucca rays , as one of the subtypes of radiotherapy. Ionizing radiation affects the fibrous compaction, causing the destruction of fibroblasts and collagen fibers, and thereby helping to reduce the connective tissue lesion.
Mesotherapy . Used to eliminate atrophic (depressed) scars. Special fillers (usually with hyaluronic acid) are injected under the scar. Under the influence of medicinal extracts, the synthesis of collagen fibers increases, which are necessary to “raise” the depressed surface of the scar to the level of the skin.
Photo correction . This is a technique for treating skin fibrosis with a light beam in order to lighten the scar and even out the color of the surrounding skin. As a result of light exposure, the scar softens, acquires a physiological color, becomes less pigmented, and flat. Photocorrection is used for flat and convex, as well as red depressed scars. The number of sessions is determined by the type and “age” of the scar.
Compression therapy. The compression method helps in the treatment of young hypertrophic and keloid scars up to 1 year old. A special bandage, using external pressure (up to 24 millimeters Hg) on the affected area, stops the development of fibrosis, but to achieve a full result, the pressure bandage must be worn around the clock for 9 to 12 months.

Laser methods

Laser peeling, resurfacing, microdermabrasion are procedures similar in mechanism, which use a laser beam that affects abnormal tissue at a precisely calculated depth. Laser therapy is most effective when correcting deep fibrous scars and keloids.

As a result of layer-by-layer evaporation of atypical fibrous cells with a laser (erbium, carbon dioxide), the scars are reduced and smoothed out. In this case, adjacent areas of healthy skin are not affected.
When removing atrophic scars, laser treatment is combined with the injection of fillers with hyaluronic acid and collagen to raise the surface of the depressed scar to the level of the skin.
The procedure is performed in the cold season to minimize solar radiation and the risk of darkening of the treated area.
The number of laser scar resurfacing procedures depends on the amount of skin fibrosis: for flat and small hypertrophic scars, sometimes 2–4 sessions, carried out with a break of 3–4 weeks, are sufficient; for voluminous scars, up to 10 procedures may be required with an extended recovery period after each (up to 2 months).

The disadvantages of the method, which are also common to other methods, are the high frequency of re-growth of keloid scars.

Cryodestruction

The therapeutic effect of the destruction of fibrous tissue by a cold agent (usually liquid nitrogen) is especially noticeable when removing hypertrophic scars and fresh keloids.

The cryoagent used to treat the area of skin fibrosis destroys atypical cells using ice crystals that rupture their membranes. Sometimes a positive therapeutic effect is achieved after 1 – 3 procedures. But cryotherapy often leads to depigmentation or, conversely, darkening of the epidermis in the area of influence. A more effective method is the combined use of cryotherapy and hormonal injections.

Is it possible to prevent complications and how to insure yourself against them?

The main guarantee of correctly performed contour plastic surgery is the choice of a suitable and qualified specialist. It is this choice that refers to the very complex components of the entire plan. Often, girls are very keen on getting plump lips or other changes in their appearance, so they are ready to entrust themselves to a little-known cosmetologist. In addition to this, an equally important element is the desire to save money. As a result, the savings then have to be spent on procedures during the rehabilitation period, when something does not go as planned.

It is important to know that the difference in the pricing policies of different establishments for the same procedure is not always explained only by the status of cosmetology and the desires of the specialist. Much more often, the cost of the procedure depends on the qualifications of the specialist and the quality of his training.

It is worth knowing that facial contouring should be performed by a specialist with a higher medical education, with knowledge in the field of reconstructive, general and plastic surgery, with experience in performing aesthetic minimally invasive corrections and with knowledge of the structure (anatomy) of the face.

The degree of training of a cosmetologist sometimes decides everything. This is important when it is necessary to choose the necessary drug from among others for a specific skin type and patient’s problems. Also, the knowledge of a qualified specialist is important if the patient experiences complications after completing the procedure. It is worth noting that they occur not only due to the mistakes of the cosmetologist, but also due to the carelessness of the person himself or a simple coincidence of circumstances.

A true cosmetologist, if a patient complains of complications, will provide professional treatment and then re-perform the contouring procedure. Unscrupulous cosmetologists or charlatans will simply abandon the patient, transferring their mistakes to someone else.

With all fibers against fibrosis! How to prevent complications after aesthetic interventions

One of the possible complications after aesthetic interventions, from beauty injections to plastic surgery, is the so-called fibrosis. We decided to get to the bottom of the truth and find out why it might occur and how to eliminate it.

The goal of any aesthetic procedure is to improve the appearance of the skin and the contours of the face and body. But if something goes wrong in this process, then instead of ideal lines, ugly lumps, bumps, scars and scars may appear. That is fibrosis.

Harm or benefit?

Fibrosis refers to the process of overgrowth of connective tissue caused by chronic inflammation. By the way, cellulite, which occurs due to prolonged stagnation of fluid in the hypodermis, is also a type of fibrosis. But in general, the growth of connective tissue, if it is a controlled process, can even be useful. For example, the effect of rejuvenation using cosmetic threads is based on this phenomenon. Indeed, in response to any tissue injury, the body produces collagen, from which the skin frame is then built. Or another example from plastic surgery - capsular fibrosis after mammoplasty. The capsule of connective tissue fibers that forms after implantation helps maintain the desired contours that the surgeon achieved during the operation. But if fibrosis gets out of control, it becomes a problem.

Where to lay the straw

The best treatment is, as we know, prevention.
To reduce the risk of developing fibrosis, when performing contour plastic surgery you should: 1. Contact only an experienced professional. Injections at home or in a beauty salon from a familiar cosmetologist or a random doctor in an unverified clinic are always a risk. Firstly, only a person with a higher medical education can inject drugs. Secondly, even filler injections, which can be done during a lunch break, require a highly qualified doctor (at least a certificate in contouring). There is nothing to say about observing antiseptics - this is a mandatory condition. 2. Neutralize dangerous moments in advance. So, a month before the injections there is no need to deep clean the skin, and a week before the injections it does not hurt to take a course of antiviral drugs (especially if you are predisposed to herpes). Before and after the procedure, it is useful to go on a diet for several days (exclude foods and drinks that retain water: alcohol, coffee, pickles, smoked foods). 3. Be vigilant. Before the procedure, it would be a good idea to ask the cosmetologist to show you the box of the drug. In aesthetic cosmetology, such a request is the norm. First of all, you must make sure that the packaging indicates the manufacturer, serial number and expiration date (which, of course, has not expired). It is important that the package is opened before your eyes, and after the injection, the sticker from the drug is pasted into your medical record.

4. Follow all doctor's recommendations. This is especially true during the rehabilitation period. For at least two weeks after the administration of the drug, you will have to forget about the bath, sunbathing, and even physical exercise. In any case, your doctor must warn you about all restrictions.

Return to how it was

Thickening in the skin that occurs within a few days after the injection of filler is normal; this is how the body reacts to the introduction of a foreign substance. The gel will disperse through the tissues for some time, and this process can be helped with the help of a special massage, but it should only be done by the doctor who performed the procedure. There is no need to massage anything yourself. In about five days the seal should go away. But if after two weeks the lump does not go away or facial asymmetry, pain and redness appear, you should run to the doctor. By the way, fibrosis can occur several months and even years after the injection. Sometimes lumps appear after injections of filler based on hyaluronic acid, which itself can stimulate the activity of fibroblasts - the cells from which connective tissue is formed. But such fibrosis is easier to eliminate. The fact is that hyaluronic acid has an antidote - hyaluronidase, which breaks down and removes excess drug from the body. Removing filler based on collagen or calcium hydroxyapatite from tissue is more difficult and takes longer. This will require hormone injections, physiotherapy (electric and phonophoresis) and hardware techniques (laser or radio wave therapy). If fibrous capsules are located in the deep layers of the epidermis or are of impressive size, then most likely the doctor will decide on surgical excision of the nodes.

Surgery is only half the battle

Fibrosis also occurs after plastic surgery.
Their reason is not only the lack of skill of the surgeon, but also the carelessness of the patients themselves, who underestimate the importance of postoperative rehabilitation. After all, the correct intervention itself is only half the battle. For example, you can’t wait for the swelling to go away on its own—it needs to be helped. Otherwise, irregular body contours may subsequently form due to fibrosis. They need to be formed not only during, but also after the operation. This can be done either in a clinic or in a special rehabilitation center that specializes in recovery after surgery. In order for scarring to occur correctly, patients after surgery need to:

wear compression garments;
carry out early step-by-step rehabilitation. It should take at least three weeks. Each stage lasts seven days.

In the 1st week, superficial massages should be carried out (to improve lymphatic drainage), and a gentle ultrasound mode can be used to protect against fibrosis (but regular ultrasound, on the contrary, will strengthen the scars).
In the 2nd week, enhanced lymphatic drainage massage is required, hyperbaric technologies and radio frequency lifting are used, but these procedures should be carried out only in a clinic and by qualified specialists.

The 3rd week is devoted to pressotherapy.
These procedures are needed to evacuate excess fluid and normalize lymph flow (for example, after liposuction). Light scarring after liposuction, lipofilling or mammoplasty is normal. An experienced cosmetologist will help you cope with more pronounced fibrosis using hardware techniques. However, correction of capsular contracture after unsuccessful mammoplasty is impossible by any other methods other than surgery. Two big differences
The concept of “fibrosis” is interpreted differently by doctors involved in somatic medicine than by cosmetologists and plastic surgeons. This process can occur in the lungs, liver or other diseased organ. Fibrosis is not a disease, but a protective reaction of the body aimed at isolating the source of inflammation from surrounding tissues. But this process also has a bad side: after all, when healthy tissue is replaced by scar tissue, the function of the organ in which this occurs deteriorates.

By the way…

Many people fear fibrosis, considering it a precancerous phenomenon. This is absolutely not true. Of course, against the background of fibrosis, for example in the mammary gland, breast cancer can occur, but these two processes are not related to each other. Therefore, fibrocystic mastopathy is not a harbinger of cancer, and fibroids are not operated on, but simply observed. Nevertheless, if there are any suspicions, you should contact oncologists-mammologists. But fibrous tissue that appears in the oral cavity can, in rare cases, be associated with cancer.

Pavel Golovanev, plastic surgeon, full member of OPREH, EAFPS, EACMFS

— The development of fibrosis and other postoperative complications may be due to the characteristics of the patient: his genetic or metabolic disorders, concomitant chronic diseases, medication use and other circumstances. There is also an ethnic predisposition to fibrosis; it is higher in people with dark skin. The doctor must identify all these points before surgery by collecting a thorough medical history. This helps predict the risk of complications. It is wrong to fight the consequences, the right thing is to prevent them. However, in the case of fibrosis, much depends on the individual reaction of the body, which can be expressed differently in different people.

Zoya Evsyukova, dermatologist, cosmetologist, head of the department of dermatology and cosmetology at the RSSU polyclinic

— Cones grow after contouring not only due to fibrosis. This can occur due to migration of the gel, insufficient or excessive depth of its introduction into the skin, the development of cysts and hematomas, as well as due to infection (if antiseptics are not observed). All these complications are treated in different ways, but only under the supervision of the professional who performed the procedure. After all, it is difficult for the patient to distinguish fibrosis from granulomas and cysts, which can only be treated surgically. Ultrasound will help make an accurate diagnosis (and therefore choose the right treatment tactics).