Complications of injectable fillers and neurotoxins

All cosmetic injectable products are associated with the risk of both early and delayed complications. Early and expected side effects include swelling, bruising, and erythema at the injection. It is of utmost importance that patients are educated on the treatment they are consenting to receive and the potential risk of these therapies. Side effects of the various cosmetic injectable products, including both injectable neurotoxins and soft tissue fillers, are often technique associated, such as placing the filler too superficial or unintentional paralysis of facial muscles. Other complications, such as necrosis, intravascular injections, and infection may not be entirely technique-dependent, and must be managed swiftly and effectively. Finally, immunologic phenomena, such as delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions and foreign body granulomas, are complications that have no relationship to technique, and thus proper counseling and knowledge of management is required.