Facial Contouring
‍‍With Dermal Fillers

The most important risk of dermal filler is that if it is inadvertently injected into a blood vessel, it will stop blood flow through that vessel, this is called vascular compromise. Signs of vascular compromise are gray or whitish skin that doesn’t turn pink when you press on it, and severe pain. Vascular compromise is treated by dissolving the filler with an enzyme called hyaluronidase; we keep a large volume of hyaluronidase on site at all times. If you think you are having a complication, you should call Jen directly at 603-460-5706. There are several ways Jen reduces your risk of this complication. She will map out your blood vessels using ultrasound before and after your filler treatment. This allows her to know exactly where your blood vessels are, and to assess their flow after treatment. She also uses cannula whenever possible, which has a lower risk of vascular compromise. Jen is also a member of Complications in Medical Aesthetic Collaborative (CMAC), a nonprofit aimed at supporting aesthetic clinicians in education and training for complication prevention and management. Other complications of dermal filler are usually treated by dissolving the filler.

The filler companies will tell you it lasts 12-18 months, but that’s because that's when they stopped their research studies. We now know that filler can last a long time. Jen recommends treatment with filler not on a schedule, but when it is indicated by changes in your facial contour. There are three things that most affect the duration of your filler treatment: the individual (some people wear it out sooner than others), the mobility of the area (lips wear out faster than cheeks), and exposure to UV light (wear your SPF!).