Important. Everyone needs to know about this potential filler problem: Biofilm

I had either a reaction to Juverderm in Malar cheek area or an infection. The area balled up and got inflamed and turned red. It only happened on one side of my face. They dissolved the filler and two weeks later put some more back in that area. The red inflmmation returned in the same spot the same day. I had it dissolves again. Now it's been 2 and half months since the last dissolve and I'd like to try again since my face is now way more full on the right than the left since they only dissolved the filler out of one side of my face and not the other. Is it possible to try it again and if I do what recommendations do you have regarding this?

There is something to consider when you have a red lump/bump develop that lasts longer than a month after an hyaluronic acid filler! There is a type of infection called a biofilm. This is a low-grade infection (kind of like an inflammation in your gums or an ingrown toe) where the bacteria are sitting in the filler (really just a temporary implant right?) and not spreading, but also not going away.  A woman wrote in recently who had a bad reaction like this after she had a filler injection in the mouth area, which should never be done! You can read my response to her here.

The treatment for a biofilm is to remove the filler with the hyaluronidase and usually to treat with 2-4 weeks with an antibiotic. If the filler stays in place, the infection won’t resolve. There’s really no way to tell at this point, if that’s what was causing your problem.

I hear what you are saying about the asymmetry.  Only your hopefully board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon can really help you with this.  You may need a second opinion.

Hope this helps,  Dr. I

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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