The Covid-19 pandemic has made people think about cosmetic procedures to prevent the signs of aging. After countless hours spent on Zoom calls and FaceTime. Scientific and medical evidence show that vaccination can help protect you against Covid-19 and stop the spread of this virus. The question that my patients are asking me is why in my patient intake questionnaire do I ask patients if they have received the Covid-19 vaccine? In my practice, I ensure that patient safety is paramount, and a thorough medical history is obtained before initialing any treatment.
Dermal Fillers can quickly decrease the common signs of aging. Whether you are trying to look less saggy, less tired, more youthful, or more beautiful dermal fillers are a non-invasive option in medical aesthetics.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) dermal fillers can volumize sunken temples, get rid of laugh or smile lines, enhance thin lips, and give you a sculpted jawline. As we age, skin elasticity decreases and leads to unflattering sagging skin. To reverse the signs and symptoms of aging the injection of HA can restore the volume we lose. Hyaluronic Acid binds to water which binds to water which hydrates and softens and volumizes your skin for a youthful healthy look.
The studies have shown that there have been reports of people with dermal fillers experiencing facial or lip swelling after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine. The question is if you are considering dermal filler, should you not receive the Covid-19 vaccination?
The evidence to date shows that in December 2020, the FDA reported that two people experienced facial swelling after being vaccinated during Moderna’s phase three trial. One patient had a dermal filler places six months before they were vaccinated. The swelling occurred a day after they received the vaccine. The second patient had a dermal filler placed two weeks before the vaccination and the swelling appeared two days after they were vaccinated. A third person reported swelling in the lips two days after the vaccination. The window of time between their dermal filler placement and vaccination was unknown. Only three trial participants out if 15,184 people who received at least one dose of Moderna mRNA vaccine experienced dermal filler reactions.
These occurrences are not unique. Any vaccination, bacterial/viral illnesses, can trigger an immunologic reaction. Typically, these immunologic reactions can be treated with antihistamines, oral steroids, or can clear up on their own. In addition, dental procedures are best avoided during the 2–4-week period before and after filler treatment to reduce the risk of hematogenous bacterial seeding and potential development of biofilm.
An experienced Aesthetic Health Care provider will structure the treatment plan over time, with consideration to pending medical procedures, dental visits, and immunizations, thus limiting inflammatory reactions or hypersensitivities due to a heightened immune system. If you are planning to get dermal filler injections, it is important to discuss vaccinations, recent illnesses, or dental procedures with your provider so that your treatment plan can be adjusted accordingly. Investing adequate time during the initial consultation is pivotal in optimizing both the timing and outcome of the treatment process to decrease the incidence of adverse reactions to dermal filler.