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There’s been a lot of gossip out there in recent months. Many are curious if they’ll experience facial swelling if they’ve had dermal fillers and get a COVID-19 Vaccine. So, is all of this true or just gossip? First, let’s rewind a bit.
An urgent push for a vaccination was made approx. a year and a half ago. The vaccines thus far created and in development are called RNA generated vaccines. They’re more simple than the usual vaccines that require much lengthier development time as they’re far more broad reaching and of a protein production nature. None the less, the two main vaccines (Pfizer & Moderna) were released in the US in December, with a third (Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine) released shortly after.
In January 2021, there were some reports of facial swelling or globalized swelling in areas where volume replacement injections for cosmetic reasons have been placed. However, it’s important to note that more than 68 million doses have bee administered and there’s only been a handful of reports of skin body reactions consisting mainly of swelling.
My personal opinion is that this is a tempest in a teapot, meaning an issue or event that has been exaggerated out of proportion. The issue has become bigger than it needs to be for a variety of publicity reasons and is not a significant dermatologic cosmetic threat. I have seen at least a dozen reports from “experts” and my personal opinion is that this is a minor event, easily treated should it occur with anti-inflammatory oral medication and resolves nightly without the need to remove any volumized injectable agent. The publicity on this has been excessive and surprising because the truth is that when volumizing agents are first introduced to the body, it’s considered a foreign material and it’s not uncommon for a vaccine that creates an increased immune response to inflame the area injected or treated.
Swelling or other reactions have been known to happen with other vaccinations and with other people that have had concurrent illnesses as well as having volumizing injections done. Patients have also experienced this same reaction during dental procedures and dental cleanings. So, in summary, when you have a material introduced into the body, anything can trigger a brief inflammatory response and I can work with you to manage it appropriately.
I can also say that I’ve personally had fillers and the vaccine, and had no swelling or any kind of reaction at all, so there is no true tie to the Vaccine, fillers and facial swelling. So, take a deep breath and relax. Get the Vaccine, proceed with your plans to get fillers if you would like them and don’t be driven by fear.
