The 10-Point Plan 2021: Updated Concepts for Improved Procedural Safety During Facial Filler Treatments

Abstract

Dermal filler treatments require constant reassessment for improving and safeguarding the rapidly evolving aesthetic field. Suboptimal injection technique, patient selection and product knowledge have touted a concerning increase in filler complications, with new challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic leading to new paradigms in the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of complications. The updated 10-point plan has been developed to curtail complications through consideration of causative factors, categorized as patient, product, and procedure-related. Patient-related factors include a preprocedural consultation with careful elucidation of skin conditions (acne, rosacea, dermatitis), systemic disease (allergies, autoimmune disease, underlying bacterial and viral disease (herpes simplex virus, COVID-19 infection), medications (antineoplastic drugs, recreational drugs) and previous cosmetic procedures (including fillers and energy-based devices). Patient assessment should include standardized photography and also evaluate the role of social media, ethnicity, gender, generational, and LGBTQ+ needs. Specified informed consent for both adverse events and their treatment is essential due to the increase in vascular complications, including the risk of blindness. Product-related factors include the powerful advantage of reversibility when using hyaluronic acid (HA) products. Product characteristics such as molecular weight and filler degradation should be understood. Product layering over late or minimally degradable fillers is still inadvisable due to the initial filler being teased into reactivity. Procedural factors such as consistent photographic documentation, procedural planning, aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT), knowledge of topographical anatomy and angiosomes, and technical dexterity including pinch anatomy and needle skills are of pivotal importance. The final section is dedicated to algorithms and checklists for managing and treating complications such as allergic hypersensitivity reactions, vascular events, infection, edema and late-onset adverse events (LOAEs). The updated 10-point plan is a methodical strategy aimed at further minimising the risk of dermal filler complications.

Introduction

The exponential increase in the use of injectable fillers has heralded unique safety requirements, mandating ongoing reappraisal of both procedural method and complication management.

As with the initial 10-point plan for avoiding hyaluronic acid dermal filler-related complications during facial aesthetic procedures and algorithms for management,¹ this updated plan aims to establish a simple, user-friendly checklist for optimising patient factors, practical product knowledge and safer technique. Updated treatment and safety algorithms have been added in a visual format (Table 1, Figure 21, 22, 23).

Table 1.

A 10-Point Plan for Avoiding Filler Complications

I. Patient	II. Product	III. Procedure	IV. Algorithms
1. History Skin Systemic disease Medication Procedures Selection Skin, systemic disease Pretreat eg, acne, dermatitis Dental, vaccinations Routine procedures Cancer Rx Previous LOAE Body dysmorphic disorder	4. Reversibility Hyaluronidase Dilution, dosage~ types “Off-label”?	7. Photographs Pre and post SLR camera; consistent background No makeup or jewelry Rest and animation Angles and lighting Lateral: Frankfort plane Oblique: all 4 canthi	Allergy/hypersensitivity Early: vitals, adrenalin, IV H1 H2 antagonists Oral corticosteroids Propanol, ibuprofen Edema/swelling ~ Time of onset
2. Assessment Beauty, aging Ethnic nuancing Gender: LGBTQ+ identifiers Wants vs needs Muscle dynamics and indirect effects	5. Product characteristics HA concentration Cross-linking	8. Procedural planning and aseptic technique Technical flow Everything at hand ANTT Skin: chlorhexidine/alcohol/hypochlorous acid Mucosae: chlorhexidine/cyclodextrin + isoflavonoids/povidone iodine Gloves+ hand washing COVID-19 protection protocol bidirectional	Vascular events HDPH Avoid nitroglycerin paste If visual disturbance: a) Stop injecting b) Ophthalmological referral (speed dial) c) < 90-min timeframe
3. Consent Covid-19 guidelines Procedure Complication Rx: allergic, infective, vascular, LOAE Hyaluronidase, “off-label”? Financial consent Photographic consent	6. Product layering Caution: HA over minimally biodegradable fillers Unknown filler: Ultrasound	9. Injection anatomy Topographical anatomy 10 markings Danger areas Choke anastomoses Pinch anatomy	Infection Oral antibiotics Hyaluronidase Surgical drainage
		10. Technical knowledge Depth, placement Angles: 10, 30, 45, 90 degree Speed Volume Needle vs cannula Aspiration vs movement	Late-onset adverse events Antibiotics Hyaluronidase Immunosuppressives Allopurinol, colchicine

Abbreviations: Rx, treatment; LOAE, late onset adverse events; LGBTQ+, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning; HA, hyaluronic acid; IV, intravenous; SLR, single-lens reflex; ANTT, aseptic non-touch technique; COVID-19, SARS-Covid virus disease of 2019; HDPH, high-dose pulse hyaluronidase.

Patient-Related Factors

History and Selection

Frequently queried selection criteria include the following:

The Neoplastic Process and Antineoplastic Drugs

Filler safety is frequently queried in patients with cancer or on antineoplastics, cytotoxics, biologicals, or immunotherapy (Table 2). Conversely, the influence of fillers on the incidence, behavior, or aggravation of malignant tumors has been questioned, with the rapidly evolving field of onco-immunology raising awareness around immunity, chronic inflammation, carcinogenesis, and the effects of antineoplastic therapy.²

Table 2.

Selection Criteria

Condition	Contraindication (CI) or Physician Discretion (PD)	Timing to Filler Rx	Suggestions
Chemotherapy	CI on Rx	> 6m after completion	Immunosuppression documented 6 months after adjuvant Rx; Consider psychological needs. Informed consent.
Radiotherapy	PD	> 6 m	Vigilant follow-up
Immunotherapy	PD; Postpone		Insistent pt with subsequent LOAEs: No systemic steroids! Rx: AB, ± I/L steroids Caution: tumor - mimicking filler types (scans)
Previous LOAE		1 m after full clearance	Exclude previous trigger factors
Acne	Pre-Rx	Clearance	Topical: Pre-Rx entire acne area Increased resistant P acnes at edge of topically Rx area; No safe distance
Rosacea	Barrier Fx decreased	1–3 m
Perioral dermatitis		6 weeks
Dermatitis	Barrier Fx decreased	1 m after clearance	Caution: allergies, staph carriers, eczema herpeticum
Autoimmune collagenoses	Active: CI		Check parameters; Rheumatology consult
Rheumatoid Arthritis	Active: CI	Stable: skin test before injection
Systemic lupus erythematosus	Active: CI	Stable: skin test before injection
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease	CI
Thyroid	Hashimoto: CI		Burnt-out Hashimoto’s: may treat
Diabetes	PD		Decreased tissue healing
Active HSV	CI	Prophylaxis: start 1-day pre-Rx Full 5 days of Rx	Infective until last crust disappeared HSV prophylaxis pre-procedural Treatment history? Resistance
Porphyria	PD drug intolerances		Caution: treatment of potential A/E’s - drug C/I’s
Pregnancy	CI		No safety data; Medicolegal implications
Lactation	PD
Body dysmorphic disorder	PD		Complications
Transgender (Transitioning)			Psychiatric counselling, informed consent and photo-documentation Hormone-induced acne, especially female to male transitioning
HIV	PD		Full-blown AIDS: CI
Chronic urticaria	CI
Severe allergies (multiple)	PD	2–4 weeks between	Enquire re vaccination protocols
Vaccinations COVID-19 SARS2		Filler and vaccination (Unknown: suggested 2-4 weeks)	Prophylactic lisinopril may be attempted in LOAE-prone patients before 2nd vaccination, if reaction occurred after first vaccination

Abbreviations: CI, contraindicated; PD, physician discretion; AB, antibiotics; I/L, intralesional; m, month; A/E, adverse events; LOAE, late onset adverse events; AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Physicians should, however, consider the cumulative psychological burden of altered physical appearance, loss of identity, helplessness to change, and subsequent impact on immunity. Oncologic patients are often concerned about their appearance and fear pitying remarks from outsiders regarding their overall physiognomy. Wearing a cap or a headscarf to hide chemotherapy induced alopecia is an example of the former. Often patients are strongly insistent on maintaining regular aesthetic treatments in order to avoid the perception of suffering or losing their attractiveness. Therefore, the psychological benefits of aesthetic treatments often transcend their potential fear.³ Importantly, risks should be consented upfront.

Active chemotherapy is an accepted contraindication to fillers, with significantly delayed long-term immune changes documented 12 months post-treatment and at least 6–10 months after completing adjuvant therapy for breast cancer.⁴ Early recovery phases are prone to viral reactivation, with increased bacterial infections during later stages and slower recovery in smokers.⁵

Increasingly, antineoplastic immunotherapy is causing a unique spectrum of immune-related adverse events. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI)⁶ remove the brake on activated T-lymphocytes, enabling T-cell attack on normal cells. LOAEs are documented after ipilimumab^7,8 and cetuximab,⁹ and facial swelling and granulomatous reactions with protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitors. However, uneventful HA filler treatment has been described after treatment with imatinib mesylate.¹⁰

Carboxymethylcellulose-polycaprolactone, and polylactic acid fillers may induce LOAEs mimicking tumors after nivolumab (ICI), causing staging difficulties on PET-CT scans.^11,12

During immunotherapy, filler treatments should preferably be postponed, with vigilant follow-up in patients insisting on psychologically motivated treatments. Standard antibiotic and intralesional steroid treatment of LOAEs is permissible, while oral steroids are contraindicated due to potential interruption of immunotherapy.

The immunological effects of radiotherapy and paradoxical effects of immune stimulation or suppression vary with individual regimes.¹³ Although no discrete guidelines exist, it is advisable to consider post-radiotherapy patients as being immunosuppressed and to delay fillers for at least 6–12 months.

Physician discretion and vigilant follow-up are advocated in situations where fillers may offer much-needed psychological support after treatment of neoplastic disease.³

In contrast to a 2010 study inferring chronic inflammatory or neoplastic changes due to the pro-inflammatory properties of “low molecular” HA molecules, other reports have queried the actual presence of HA fragments and highlighted varying definitions of “low molecular weight” fragments. (Table 7).^14,15

A single anecdotal case has posed a hypothetical correlation between a cutaneous metaplastic synovial cyst and facial HA injections.¹⁶ However, large long-term cohort studies demonstrating extensive pharmaco-vigilance have failed to correlate neoplasia with either single or repeated facial HA filler injections.

Autoimmune Collagen Disease: Lupus, Morphea and Systemic Sclerosis

Previous recommendation has been for filler avoidance during active phases of collagen disease, whilst stable or burnt-out disease phases may be treated with relative safety.

Two recent literature reviews state that patients with autoimmune conditions may be safely treated with a variety of fillers.^17,18 During active disease stages, we still advise against filler treatments.

Recreational Drugs

Nicotine and recreational drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and opiates not only alter neuropsychological and pathophysiological responses but also inhibit immune function through direct and indirect mechanisms enhancing susceptibility to infections (Figure 1).¹⁹

Figure 1.

Recalcitrant LOAE in a patient with uneventful previous fillers, developing 6 months after onset of cannabis dependency Note: Image courtesy of Dr Heydenrych.

The potential effect on tissue response, healing, and onset of adverse events should not be overlooked. The negative effect of smoking on cancer rehabilitation is well documented.²⁰

Drug Interactions

LOAE protocols may recommend antibiotics or anti-inflammatories prone to drug interactions involving especially hepatic cytochrome P-related medications (eg, clarithromycin, erythromycin, celecoxib, diclofenac) necessitating careful documentation of prior drug intake.

Genetic Predisposition to Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions, and Genes Within the Major Histocompatibility Complex

Upfront screening for a propensity to LOAEs, although not currently feasible, would be ideal. In addition to speculation around HLA B*08 and DRB1*03 – subtypes in immune-mediated disorders affecting women with silicone breast implants, Decates et al also examined the major histocompatibility haplotypes in 211 patients where 129/211 demonstrated LOAEs after fillers. A significant correlation was demonstrated between the combined presence of HLA B*08/DRB1*03 and inflammation, with an almost 4-fold increase in immune-mediated adverse events (odds ratio = 3.79, 95% CI 1.25–11.48).¹⁸

HLA subtyping poses future possibilities for pre-identifying individuals at risk of delayed reactions.

Our recommendation is for avoidance of fillers in patients with this specific combination of HLA subtypes (B*08 and DRB1*03).

Pregnancy and Lactation

Medicolegally, insufficient procedural or drug-related safety data mandate against use during pregnancy, intended pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Due to the paucity of data and unpredictability of complications and their management, fillers are deemed inadvisable during pregnancy or lactation.²¹ Should a patient fall pregnant shortly after treatment, no specific action other than routine follow-up is needed.

Previous LOAEs

The safety and timing of re-treatment after previous LOAEs is often questioned. Importantly, previous triggers such as acne, dental procedures, sinusitis, gastroenteritis, flu-like illness, vaccinations or causes of compromised skin barrier should be managed upfront. A recent review cites the majority of patients re-treated with a similar filler product having an uneventful course.²²

The authors suggest at least one month between full clearance of LOAE and re-treatment to exclude transient clearance on steroids or antibiotics. For medicolegal purposes, an intradermal test with 0.1ml of the intended product may be performed and checked after 1 and 3 months (Figures 2 and 3).

Figure 2.

After 1 month: the test site with Volbella showed a positive reaction. Note: Image courtesy of Dr K De Boulle.

Figure 3.

After 3 months: positive reaction for Juvederm Volbella and Volift. Note: Image courtesy of Dr K De Boulle.

Energy-Based Devices (EBD)

EBD treatments are best avoided in areas overlying LOAEs as they invariably impact skin barrier function and may act as external trauma triggers or induce infection in predisposed patients. Radiofrequency treatment (RF) has been documented to result in statistically significant increases in inflammatory, foreign body, and fibrotic responses associated with fillers despite histological absence of immediate thermal effect following RF (Figure 4).²³ The use of microneedle RF over recently placed filler should be approached with caution.²⁴

Figure 4.

Artecoll granuloma (20 years) with exacerbation after Fractional resurfacing and subsequent HA layering. Note: Image courtesy of Dr K De Boulle.

Skin Barrier Function, Infection, and Treatment Timing

Importantly, skin barrier function may be altered for 3–4 weeks after apparent clearing of conditions such as dermatitis.

Active rosacea implies increased vascularity, impeded barrier function, and antimicrobial peptides, generally taking 12 weeks to stabilize.²⁵ Perioral dermatitis should be pre-treated to full clearance, generally necessitating 6 weeks.

Patients with underlying Staphylococcus aureus carrier status may be treated topically with intranasal mupirocin bd x 5 days, alternatively topical neomycin and bacitracin, chlorhexidine, or bleach baths.²⁶

Herpes simplex (HSV) lesions are infective until disappearance of the last crust. To prevent eczema herpeticum, particularly in patients with a history of or active atopic dermatitis, HSV is best treated prophylactically for 5 days starting one day pre-treatment, particularly when injecting close to HSV areas. Acyclovir (ACV) and related nucleoside analogs (valacyclovir or famciclovir) have long been a gold standard. However, the rapid emergence of ACV-resistant HSV, combined with increasing transplant and cancer patient numbers, mandates a careful treatment history despite this not representing the usual injectable patient cohort.²⁷

Covid Infection

LOAEs following influenza-like viral illnesses are documented after treatment with various HA filler brands. The current global COVID-19 SARS 2 pandemic has led to similar reaction patterns, with several publications detailing LOAEs after HA fillers.^28–30

The COVID-19 SARS-2 spike protein interacts with dermal angiotensin-converting enzyme receptors (ACE2) which normally regulate the homeostasis between angiotensin 2 (pro-inflammatory) and angiotensin 1 (anti-inflammatory). This induces a pro-inflammatory, loco-regional TH1 cascade thought to promote a CD8+T cell-mediated reaction to incipient granulomas previously formed around residual HA particles.²⁹

Covid Vaccinations

As seen in the ASIA (Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants) syndrome, vaccinations may trigger immunological hypersensitivity cascades with subsequent LOAEs.³¹ Not surprisingly, LOAEs have indeed been reported after various COVID-19 SARS 2 vaccine brands.²⁹ Multiple clinical manifestations ranging from edema, erythema, swelling and tenderness to subsequent painful, indurated plaques and nodules have been documented in patients with fillers placed from weeks to years before either a first or second Covid vaccination.³⁰

Evolving COVID-19 vaccination protocols may well become one of the most common triggers of subsequent HA filler-associated LOAE, with the triad of increasing filler use, escalating COVID-SARS-2 infection rates and progressive vaccine roll-out recently cited as potentially portending a perfect storm.²⁹

Interestingly, ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril have anecdotally been found beneficial in reducing vaccination-induced LOAEs, with lisinopril proposed as pre-vaccination medication in patients prone to LOAEs after HA fillers, or having developed LOAEs following first vaccinations.³² Currently, no controlled study is available to prove either large-scale benefit or the benefit following non-HA fillers. As cited in recent publications, oral corticosteroids constitute initial one-month therapy for Covid vaccination-related LOAE therapy for Covid vaccination-related LOAE.^29,30

Patient Expectations and Psychological Screening

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) often presents with cosmetic complaints and higher pre-procedural expectations (Table 3). Psychopathology or unrealistic expectations regarding enhanced quality of life (QOL), self-esteem, social interactions or facial beauty should be excluded upfront due to decreased procedural satisfaction.³³

Table 3.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Classification	Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (DSM-5)
Diagnostic criteria	Repetitive behaviors or mental acts, inappropriate use of cosmetic treatments
	Significant psychosocial distress and functional impairment
Incidence	1.7 −2.2% of general population
	High rates of suicidality
Age of onset	More common in older adolescents; Mean age of onset = 16 yrs
Symptoms	Commonly present with cosmetic complaints and higher pre-procedural expectations
	Preoccupation with seemingly insignificant physical concerns
	Worrying about appearance > 1 h/day
	Reassurance- seeking behavior
	Mental comparisons to others
Consultation	Repetitive mirror checking
	Excessive grooming
	Skin picking
	Not listening
Management	Manage upfront
	BDD questionnaire
	Psychology referral with pre-referral conversation
	Be specific regarding perceived patient behaviour

Note: Data from Krebs et al.³⁴

Patient questionnaires may serve as valuable screening tools. Concerning answers to the questions in Figure 5 merit completion of a more extensive BDD questionnaire or referral for psychological evaluation (Figure 5).³⁴

Figure 5.

Valuable BDD screening questions. Note: Data adapted from Krebs et al.³⁴

Assessment

Generation

Baby boomers (in their 60s) and Gen Zs (born 1994-) currently comprise the largest aesthetic market segments, mandating an understanding of specific needs.³⁵ Aesthetic education of younger generations also bears long-term implications for future patient loyalty. The expert injector’s role lies in communicating insightful facial analysis despite the increasing challenge of selfies, photographic distortion and social media pressure. A systematic analysis of all facial angles, both in repose and animation, helps to establish expertise through irrefutable clinical logic.

Social Media and Aesthetic Self-Perception

Obsessive selfie-taking, classified by the American Psychiatric Association as a mental disorder associated with low self-esteem, is ascribed to social competition, attention-seeking, mood modification, self-confidence and social conformity, consequently initiating the development of a psychometric Selfitis Behavior Scale (SBS).³⁶

Selfie-filters may encourage unrealistic expectations through complexion enhancement and altered features such as erased nasolabial folds, tighter jawlines, and bigger lips. Furthermore, normalization of pouting poses has blurred the boundaries between resting and dynamic lip proportions, complicating realistic volume expectations. Only 60–65% of real-world images are differentiated from manipulated images, further encouraging manipulation.³⁷

Importantly, social media has significantly altered the concept of patient confidentiality, with patients increasingly keen to publicize treatment experiences.

The current COVID-SARS2 pandemic has fuelled further perceptual change as remote living and working have forced individuals to view themselves on-screen, unedited, in motion and at the mercy of short focal length webcams. The resulting “zoom face” inevitably depicts a more rounded face, wider set eyes and broader nose, creating a flawed representation of reality which patients struggle to process.³⁸

Ethnicity

Asian and African beauty concepts may differ fascinatingly from Caucasian ideals, with perceptions increasingly influenced by the advent of social media and “beauty influencers” (Table 4).³⁹ Whilst the traditional African beauty concept has shifted to more Westernized ideals, with an increasing desire for lower body mass and paler, yellowish skin tone, Chinese aesthetic patients demonstrate a strong desire for retained ethnic identity. A Singaporean study comparing Caucasian and Chinese aesthetic patients demonstrated that Chinese patients were younger and more likely to seek correction or more obvious changes than Caucasian patients. On multivariate analyses, powerful predictors for proceeding with non-invasive facial treatments included rejuvenation rather than correction as a goal, an expectation of an immediate result, and prior aesthetic treatments.⁴⁰

Table 4.

Ethnicities: Features and Management

	Asian	Caucasiaon	African	Indian
Skull (anterior and lateral)	Wide, short, flatter face Wider bitemporal, bi-zygomatic, bigonial Retruded forehead less anterior projection Retruded pyriform margin	Longer, narrower skull More projected	Post-bregmatic depression Maxillary hypoplasia Prominent zygoma Microgenia	Less vertical height Rounder, less oval face Increased forehead height Smaller chin and lower face More convex than Caucasian
Orbits Eyes	Greater intercanthal width Shallow orbits Smaller eye aperture width Epicanthal folds Puffy upper eyelids	Angular; “aviator”	Rectangular Shorter horizontal Proptosis, rounded lat canthus, early scleral show	Larger eyes, wider set
Interorbital distance	Intermediate	Narrow	Wider, no hypertelorism	Wider
Lips	Protruded Fuller Prominent upper lip	Aging: rhytides above vermillion	Larger all dimensions Protruded Equal upper and lower lip volume Aging: wrinkling on vermillion Bimaxillary prognathism	Good volume and projection
Nose	Flat dorsum, wide base, less tip projection	Leptorrhine Narrower nasal opening More projection Straighter nasal profile More acute columella-labial angle Less flared ala	Platyrrhine Lower and flatter Wide base, less tip projection Alar flaring	Wider Length: > Asian < Caucasian Width: < African/Asian > Caucasian
Skin Aging	More melanin Delayed actinic damage Pigmentary aging concerns Delayed wrinkling and sagging	Less melanin More photoaging Upper lip rhytides	More melanin Delayed aging: 5th-6th decade Pores: less, deeper Early scleral show Submental fat with aging	More melanin Thicker skin Delayed photoaging Malar volume loss and jowls
Concerns	Masseters (facial slimming) Nasal shape Tear trough	Rhytides Photodamage Sagging	Scleral show Sagginess	Early tear trough deformity Periorbital hyperpigmentation Sagging of thicker soft tissue on small bony framework
Desires	Structural needs Oval facial shape 3-dimensionality Nasal projection Unblemished skin	Photodamage Sagging	Skin quality/tone	Aging: malar volume loss and jowls Lift lateral vectors Conservative volume medial zones

Note: Data from Samizadeh et al,⁴⁰ Kapoor et al,⁴¹ and Liew.⁸⁷

The expert injector should understand not only universal, cross-cultural beauty ideals, but grasp applicable ethnic nuances.

Asian

Asian faces have unique facial proportions, beauty concepts, aging stigmata, and cosmetic demands.⁴⁰ The frequent need for centro-facial treatment with higher injection volumes merits highly specialized skills and carries a higher risk of intravascular embolic events.

Indian

The Indian face is particularly prone to developing early periorbital hyperpigmentation and infraorbital hollowing, with tear trough deficiency the most common filler request between 20 and 40 years.⁴¹ Malar volume loss and jowling are common in older individuals, with excess medial soft tissue on a relatively smaller midface mandating initial treatment of lateral vectors to create adequate lift without excess medial volume. The shorter, wider lower face requires 3-dimensional correction and chin augmentation to achieve optimal facial height and the desired oval shape.

African

Despite escalating demand, few discrete guidelines exist for African phenotypes. Key considerations include a tendency to scarring, keloids or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIHP).³⁹ Mild and transient hyperpigmentation after nasolabial fold HA fillers in Fitzpatrick Skin Types (FST) IV–Vl is cited in 2–17% of patients (6% of injection sites). Serial punctures, superficial injection depth and fast injection speed predispose to PIHP. Whilst a 27G needle should pose no significant risk of PIHP or keloid formation, a test area with a small 31/33-gauge needle is suggested when in doubt. Keloid tendency is linked to chromosome band 7p11 and the EGFR gene.⁴²

LGBTQ+ Population

When performed with a clear understanding of male and female features and desired outcomes, facial procedures may greatly enhance overall QOL. Hormonal therapy, especially whilst transitioning from female to male, may induce acne which should be optimally treated before attempting fillers.⁴³

Clinic staff should be trained in using preferred pronouns and identifiers when addressing transgender patients, whilst intake forms should request “gender” rather than “sex” and include a write-in option for “other.”

Facial Dynamics

Insightful understanding of functional anatomy, synergistic and antagonistic muscle balance and both the direct and indirect effects of fillers are essential for natural dynamic outcomes. These principles also underlie the rehabilitation of facial palsy through injectables.^44,45

Filler placement may modify muscle behaviour through:

• Stretching muscles to improve tensile strength.

• Expanding the submuscular aponeurotic system (SMAS).

• Providing a mechanical block via intramuscular injection.

• Inducing resistance or support through differential placement above or below the muscle.

Consent

Although rare, the potential for allergic reactions, infection, vascular incidents, visual loss, and LOAEs must be stipulated on consent forms and explicitly discussed with the patient.⁴⁶ Particular care should be exercised when consenting patients with cancer, on antineoplastic treatment or BDD. Importantly, to circumvent treatment delays, upfront consent should be obtained for managing potential complications. Additionally, in certain countries, the aesthetic use of hyaluronidase is off-label and should be clarified.⁴⁷

The Covid-era has necessitated a new subset of regulations, as well as the initiation of conversation around potential vaccination sequelae. As cutaneous implications of both COVID-19 infection and vaccination emerge, cosmetic patients may benefit from a discussion around COVID-19 vaccine-related planning as a part of pre-procedure counselling for dermal fillers. In the absence of final data, we provisionally suggest waiting 2 to 4 weeks between filler injections and vaccination, with an even longer window in patients with a higher risk profile for developing reactions.³²

Upfront financial consent remains mandatory.

Product

Reversibility

The widespread use of HA fillers is driven by the unparalleled advantage of reversibility through hyaluronidase (Table 5). Despite a consensus paper advocating hyaluronidase for calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHa)-induced vascular occlusion due to its anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory properties, it does not dissolve the culprit. While a recent proof-of-concept study has demonstrated potential reversibility of CaHA through intralesional sodium thiosulfate (STS),⁴⁸ optimal injection concentration, treatment ratio, time to onset, ability to pass through intact vessels, and treatment efficacy for established nodules are still unknown.^49,50

Table 5.

Hyaluronidase Safety Aspects

Incidence	Local reactions	0.05–0.69%
	Urticaria, angioedema	< 0.1%
	Anaphylaxis	Rare
Relative C/I	Wasp/bee sting allergy
Drug interactions	Furosemide, benzodiazepines, a-adrenergics, phenytoin
Antagonists	NSAID’s, antihistamines, Vit C, AOX’s, aspirins
Pre-Rx	Infective/Inflammatory nodules	Consider antibiotics 2-7-days Steroids
Intradermal test*	4–20 IU intradermal forearm Positive: > 8mm wheal + flare at 30 min Test not indicated if retinal artery occlusion/intravascular emergency
Post-Rx observation	1–2 Hours observation in - clinic recommended

Note: *Not indicated in the event of intravascular or ophthalmic events. Data from Cavallini et al.⁸⁸

A human cadaver study has demonstrated a very limited in vitro potential of STS to dissolve intraarterial CaHa after submerging CaHa-filled arterial segments in varying concentrations of STS.⁵⁰

Hyaluronidase: Practical Aspects

A 3-fold difference has been cited in the required number of hyaluronidase units per HA volume, with dissolution times varying from 2 to 16 minutes per 0.1 mL aliquot. This underscores the need for knowledge regarding the efficacy of locally available hyaluronidase on preferentially used HA products (Table 6).⁵¹

Table 6.

Hyaluronidase Practical Aspects

Consent	Mandatory informed consent: aesthetic use may be off-label; check country-specific recommendations
Diluent	Saline, bacteriostatic saline, water
Dilution	Eg 1–10 mL/1500 IU
Timing	Onset of action	Immediate
	T ½	2 minutes
	Duration of action	48 hours
	Recovery time endogenous HA	48 hours
	Serum half-life	2 ½ minutes
Dosage	Nodules	4–40 IU/0.1 mL HA
	Vascular events	HDPH: 500 −1500 IU hourly
	Endogenous HA degradation	Higher than standard treatment doses
Technical aspects	Massage to increase contact Consider cannula to minimize eventual bruising

Note: Data from King et al⁸⁹ and Rauso et al.^90,91

Abbreviation: HDPH, high dose pulse hyaluronidase.

Product Characteristics

Molecular Weight, Inflammatory Response and Autoimmunity

Although HA has been cited as a potential trigger factor for the ASIA syndrome, recent publications maintain that carbohydrates induce poor antibody responses due to their antigenic incapacity to stimulate T cell responses (Table 7). Carbohydrates preferentially bind to membrane receptors such as immunoglobulins to induce clustering and primary B cell activation, stimulating production of low affinity, short-living IgM, and no induction of memory effect in the absence of T cells.^52,53

Table 7.

Definitions

High molecular weight	> 500 kD	Anti-inflammatory
Low molecular weight	10–500 kD
Oligosaccharides	< 10 kD	Pro-inflammatory

Conversely, bacteria act as potent activators of the TLRs (1,4,5,7,9) to induce inflammation, innate immunity, and non-agent-specific autoimmunity (Table 8). This underlines the critical importance of aseptic technique in avoiding late-onset inflammatory and immune sequelae.^31,54 In genetically predisposed patients or specific HLA types, inflammasomes are triggered, possibly through an adjuvant role of ionized molecules.

Table 8.

HA Filler Degradation

HA	Enzymatic: Hyaluronidases ROS Superoxide, peroxynitrite Various injury models	HYAL 1 +2 Endo-β-N-acetyl-D-hexosaminidase splits disaccharide β-1,4-glycosidic bonds ROS: Induced by cell stress, UV, infrared, pollution
BDDE	Degraded to glycerol + succinic acid
Cell-surface R binding	CD 44 binds large fragments (anti-inflammatory)
	TLR’s binds small HA fragments (pro-inflammatory)

Note: Data from De Boulle et al.⁹²

Abbreviations: ROS, reactive oxygen species; Hyal, hyaluronidase; UV, ultraviolet; TLRs, Toll-like receptors.

Importantly, acne is present in 10% of the population. Cutibacterium acnes (C.acnes) has a strong immunostimulatory capacity, is found in all stages of acne, and binds to the cytoplasmic nucleoside-binding oligomerization domain-like (NOD-like) receptors to induce inflammasomes and opportunistic infections, thus stimulating both innate and adaptive immune responses.^55,56 The “safe injection distance” from individual acne lesions is currently unknown and adequate pre-treatment is mandatory.

Product Layering

Whilst Alijotas-Reig et al initially posed the increased risk of immune-mediated adverse reactions after consecutive injection of different fillers, a subsequent review of 260 cases found no increased risk of local or systemic reactions after repeated injections of different fillers in the same or different sites. When occurring, however, they were more likely to become chronic, systemic, and severe.³¹

Layering fillers over late or minimally biodegradable products is still deemed inadvisable due to the initial filler being teased into reactivity, which may be histologically proven.^57,58

In cases of unknown previous fillers, and to determine the precise nature of fillers, ultrasound may offer a valuable diagnostic tool.^59,60

Injection Depth and Immunological Response

Despite questions posed around the differential immunological response with filler depth and subsequent impact on immunologically induced LOAEs in the Covid-era, no data is currently available for risk stratification of intradermal vs deep tissue injections.

Procedure

Photography

Consistent Positioning

Accurate clinical photography, at rest and in animation, is vital for facial analysis, learning curves, and medicolegal purposes. Common consistency pitfalls include inaccurate positioning in the lateral and oblique views, which are avoidable by adhering to basic tenets. Position accurately for lateral views by using the Frankfort Line, thus also facilitating correct angulation for oblique views, in which all 4 canthi should be visible (Figures 6–8).

Figure 6.

Frankfort horizontal plane vs natural head position.

Note: Image courtesy of Woodrow Wilson .

Figure 7.

Illustration of the Frankfort horizontal plane, which often differs from natural head position, as viewed through a camera grid, superimposed on a skull and translated into pre-and post-photography.

Note: Image courtesy of Woodrow Wilson.

Figure 8.

Shooting oblique view: (A) Align nasal tip to mid-pupil; (B) rotate head until all 4 canthi are visible. Note: Image courtesy of Woodrow Wilson.

Photographic Distortion

Due to photographic distortion, mobile photos are inadequate for clinical use.

Selfies taken from a distance of 12 inches increase nasal size by 30% in males and 29% in females, with distortion of the perceived ratio of nasal breadth to bizygomatic width and inaccurate 3-dimensional appearance. Images taken at standard portrait distance render accurate proportions (Figure 9).⁶¹

Figure 9.

Selfie distortion: the effect of focal length, illustrating wide angle (28mm) distortion as seen with mobile photography. Note: Image courtesy of Dr Heydenrych.

Further studies are needed to establish the role of frequent selfies in increased patient dissatisfaction, and the impact of selfie distortion on future medical decisions.⁶² Recently, the COVID-SARS −2 pandemic has provoked a surge in patients citing their appearance on virtual platforms as the reason for seeking care, particularly concerning acne and wrinkles.³⁸ The patient is now also the viewer!

When available, computerized photography systems may add additional consistency and finesse to accurate and academic documentation.

Procedural Planning and Aseptic Technique

Aseptic Non Touch Technique (ANTT)

Vigilant aseptic technique is critical in the light of normal non-sterile office circumstances. Most sterility breaches have been proven to occur during the initial procedural phase, mandating pre-planning of product, volumes, and instruments of choice.^47,63

Mucosal Cleansing Agents

Whilst chlorhexidine has previously been widely regarded as a good oral antiseptic, the Covid-era has raised new challenges. Preferred alternatives include Na hypochlorite, 1% peroxide, povidone-iodine, cyclodextrin, and succinic acid, with routine oral rinses (2 × 30 seconds) before fillers to decrease viral load.^64,65

Anatomy

Intravascular injections, with consequences ranging from tissue necrosis to blindness, constitute the most feared injectable complications. Whilst topographical vessel course is varied (“x and y” axes in graph analogy), vessel depth (“z” vector) is far more predictable, thus bearing great significance in avoiding filler embolism. “Injection anatomy” commonly refers to surface markings in relation to the depth of underlying vital structures.

For effective localization of adjacent vasculature, topographical points are best marked with the patient in the upright position. Important pre-procedural markings may be seen in Figures 10–12 and discussed in Table 9.

Figure 10.

Topographical markings of foramina in anterior view. Note: Image courtesy of Dr Heydenrych.

Abbreviations: TC, temporal crest; Z-f, zygomatico-facial; SO, supraorbital; IO, infraorbital.

Figure 11.

Oblique view illustrating topographical markings of bony landmarks and adjacent danger areas. Note: Image courtesy of Dr Heydenrych.

Abbreviations: TC, temporal crest; MTV, middle temporal vein; FA, facial artery; STA, superior temporal artery .

Figure 12.

Temporal venous danger zone delineated by the upper margin of the zygomatic bone and a parallel horizontal line running from the K Point, at the junction of temporal crest (TC) and lateral orbital rim.

Table 9.

Ten Topographical Tracings

	Structure	Importance	Other
1.	Temporal crest (TC)	Separates forehead from temple May palpate more easily at KPoint	Ant deep TA runs 18 mm from TC STA (frontal br) runs more superficially; variable course
2.	K Point (KP)	At Junction TC + orbital rim	Measure/mark 1.Ant deep TA – 18mm from TC 2.Frontal branch STA (variable, more superficial, pull away)
3.	Temporal fossa injection Marking of “safer zone”	1 cm up and over (lateral) from K Point Sup-med, shallower aspect of fossa	Ant deep TA: runs 18 mm from TC STA frontal branch: at variable distance UNprotected by this marked zone in more superficial plane NB identifies upfront
4.	Zygoma Upper border Zygoma lower border Malar eminence	Danger: Do NOT angle needle or slide above/below bone during injection!	MTV danger zone in zone 2cm above upper border Transverse FA runs 1 cm below inf zygomatic border From plumb line at lateral iris to ear At depth of 1–1.2 cm Zygomatico-facial foramen (single or multiple) NB caution when injecting on bone
5.	MTV venous zone	Lies between 2 parallel lines (~2 cm) upper border zygoma 2. parallel line from KPoint	Zone extends 2 cm above upper border zygomatic arch Danger: NTPE, cavernous sinus embolism Sentinel vein drains into MTV
6.	Mid-pupillary line (MPL)	Vertical line through mid-pupil Pupils in straight gaze	2nd vertical line, 3–4 mm medial to MPL (= plumb line at medial iris) transects the SO, IO and mental foramens Mental artery exits foramen on bone Submental artery runs in superficial fat avoid by deep injection on bone
7.	Orbital rim: Lateral + inferior border Supraorbital rim (SOR)	Fixed bony inferior orbital rim NOT= lid-cheek junction (LCJ), which descends with age	IO foramen lies 6–8 mm inferior to rim 3–4 mm medial to mid-pupillary line Single or multiple IO vessels exit at 45 degrees Approach from lateral (bony hood) Foramen/notch 2.4 cm from midline -1.5 cm above SOR: SO + ST arteries: pass from deep - sup/on frontalis ophthalmic art branches (ICA) NB Depth of skin – bone: ~ 2-4 mm (~2.4 mm) Vessel size ~ 1.8 mm (= 0.6 mm of play!)
8	Masseter: ant border	FA crosses mandible 1cm ant to border On periosteum at antegonial notch; palpable Pulsation	Best identified whilst clenching
9.	“Naked areas” of Facial artery	Exposed FA; no overlying muscles 2 areas lateral to oral commissure	Between risorius and Zyg Maj Sup-lat angle mouth at origin of sup labial artery from FA
10	Gonial angle	Safe injection area on bone	Major neck vessels run post and inferior; avoid facial nerve94
	Piriform fossa	Safer injection area on bone or superficial. Avoid the middle lamella	Stay on bone

Note: Data from Kumar et al.⁹³

Abbreviations: TC, temporal crest; TA, temporal artery; STA, superficial temporal artery; br, branch; FA, facial artery; NTPE, non-thrombotic pulmonary embolism; SO, supraorbital; IO, infraorbital; MTV, middle temporal vein; IO, infraorbital; SO, supraorbital; ST, supratrochlear; SOR, supraorbital rim; LCJ, lid-cheek junction.

Facial Artery Course

The facial artery (FA) crosses the mandible at the antegonial notch just anterior to the anterior border of the masseter, before traveling superomedially, lateral to the modiolus, towards the piriform fossa. Between the risorius and zygomaticus major, it lies coiled and unprotected by muscle cover (“naked”), meriting injection caution. A second naked area lies superolateral from the mouth corner, medial to levator anguli oris (LAO), where the superior labial artery arises from the facial artery. The FA more frequently runs medial to the NLF, starting 1.7 mm medial in the lower portion, crossing beneath the fold at a depth of 5 mm at the superior third, and eventually reaching a point 3.2 mm lateral to the nasal ala (Figure 13).

Figure 13.

Naked areas of facial artery. Notes: Reproduced with permission from Pirayesh A, Bertossi D, Heydenrych I, editors. Aesthetic Facial Anatomy Essentials for Injections. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2020.⁶⁶ Copyright 2020 Taylor & Francis.

Pinch Anatomy

Pinching with the non-dominant hand may serve as injection guide for avoiding inadvertent intravascular placement during temporal fossa injections through altering the tissue layer (Table 10).⁶⁷

Table 10.

Differences Between “Gentle Pinch” and “Deep Pinch” with Non-Dominant Hand During Temporal Injection

	Gentle Pinch	Deep Pinch
Tissue layers involved	Bunches up the skin and subcutaneous fat with minimal movement of STF	Separates skin, subcutaneous fat and STF layers from superficial layer of DTF
Vascular relation	STA runs in superficial part of STF, just deep to the pinched tissue	Avascular loose areolar tissue plane lies deeper to the pinched tissue, STA being pulled up in the pinched tissue
Injection advice	Plane under this pinch is used as the most superficial plane for fillers in temple, after marking and staying away from the STA	Can be used as the middle plane for filler injection in the temple, while taking care of temporal branch of the facial nerve

Functional Vascular Anatomy (Angiosomes)

The skin’s three-dimensional functional angiosomes are supplied by a single source vessel and bordered by an anastomotic perimeter of either true or choke anastomoses.⁶⁸ Whilst extravascular HA is well tolerated, intravascular placement induces severe vessel wall inflammation, predisposing to embolism. Pain may be a warning symptom even in the absence of cutaneous blanching but is not always present. Choke vessels respond with spasm to control or prevent flow across angiosome boundaries, impacting HA spread and necrosis of adjacent angiosomes. Vascular complication sites fall within five specific choke angiosome territories of the facial, ophthalmic, maxillary, and superficial temporal arteries and may sometimes be remote from the primary injection site (Figures 14 and 15).⁶⁹ These sites are the:

1. Glabella

2. Nasal bridge

3. Nasal tip

4. Central upper/lower lips

5. Nasolabial/cheek zone

Figure 14.

Diagram illustrating the most frequently affected choke anastomotic HA embolic sites.

Figure 15.

Vascular occlusion illustrating choke anastomotic distributions. Note: Images courtesy of Dr K De Boulle.

Scant upper facial and periorbital venous valves may cause arteriovenous shunting after choke vessel spasm, with resultant embolization to the ophthalmic vein, cavernous sinus, and brain.

True anastomoses, in contrast, link adjacent territories without caliber loss to potentially allow unimpeded embolic passage to remote or contralateral facial sites.⁶⁹ Three common true anastomotic connections are:

1. Angular artery with dorsal nasal or supratrochlear artery

2. Across nasal tip

3. Across upper or lower lips

When injection pressure is lower than systemic arterial pressure, anterograde vascular occlusion causes downstream flow to vascular tributaries, resulting in predominantly skin surface changes. Displacement against arterial blood flow causes retrograde vascular occlusion, with emboli traversing back to a vascular bifurcation to cause anterograde occlusion in more posterior locations upon stabilization of arterial pressure, effecting more distal capillary non-perfusion.⁷⁰

Nitroglycerin Paste During Vascular Occlusion

A recent overview advocates the adjuvant use of nitroglycerin in pending vascular occlusion.⁷¹ However, choke vessel spasm is deemed a major determinant for the location and extent of tissue necrosis and because nitroglycerin paste may induce choke vessel dilation to alleviate flow-limiting spasm, allowing expansion of the number of affected angiosomes and increasing the area of tissue necrosis, the use of nitroglycerin paste is discouraged.⁶⁹

The Use of Diagnostic Ultrasound

Although technically intricate, accurately performed and interpreted ultrasound may offer a valuable risk reduction tool during blinded injection procedures (Figures 16 and 17).⁵⁹

Figure 16.

Vascular obstruction: 60 IU hyaluronidase under ultrasound guidance (A) pre-Rx (B) 2h post -Rx (C) 1-week post- Rx. Yellow circle denotes injection area. Note: Images courtesy of Dr Stefania Roberts.

Figure 17.

Ultrasound-guided Hyaluronidase treatment illustrating resolution of obstruction over 2 minutes (60 IU) Hyaluronidase. Note: Ultrasound images courtesy of Dr Stefania Roberts.

Abbreviations: HA, hyaluronic acid; R inf, right inferior; H-ase, hyaluronidase; U, international units.

Uses include:

1. Upfront vessel localization for prevention of intravascular injection:⁵⁴

2. Localization and treatment of acute vascular occlusion:

The amount, location, and depth of injected HA fillers may be identified, enabling targeted delivery of hyaluronidase.

• 3. Product identification during late-onset events.⁵⁹

It is advisable to align with an expert referral center in this regard.

Technical Knowledge

Unlimited online access to procedural techniques may blur the boundaries between possibilities and capabilities. It is important to grasp that acquiring motor hand skills involves both cognitive spatio-temporal and motoric learning components. Especially during initial learning phases, cognitive representation accrues more rapidly than muscle-specific representations which develop only after extensive practice.⁷² Attempting injection procedures after online instruction only thus carries inherent risks. Considering the potentially grave sequelae of incorrect placement through minute variations in needle positioning, angulation and plunger control, it has never been more relevant to develop methods for gauging inherent hand skills. Needle skills training forms an integral component of the author’s teaching practice and is useful in refining differential dexterity for controlling factors such as needle position, angle, volume and injection speed (Figure 18).

Figure 18.

Needle Skills Worksheet. A laminated copy is used for regular extrusion practice utilizing sonar gel/expired products. Proprioceptive memory regarding volume control, needle resistance, and positional angulation may be refined. (A) Refining of volume control (B) refinement of needle course stability and angle.

Volume and Speed

Dexterous hand control, slow injection speed, and constant vigilance for undue pain which may portend intravascular placement are vital. Watershed perfusion areas such as the glabella or nasal tip should be constantly observed for fleeting blanching, mandating immediate cessation of injection. Blindness has been reported with volumes as low as 0.2 mL of HA filler, whilst 0.085 mL may fill the supratrochlear artery from skin to orbit.⁷³ Large boluses carry a higher risk for biofilm, with recommendation being for bolus size of less than 0.2–0.3 mL.

The Aspiration Controversy

Although the real-time clinical utility of pre-injection aspiration is controversial,^74–80 all injectors are ultimately aligned in avoidance of intravascular incidents. No single method guarantees safety, despite individual preference for aspiration or constant needle movement, thus the following should be borne in mind.

1. Negative aspiration does not guarantee safe injection – slow, careful, low-volume injection is mandatory.

2. Adequate aspiration time should be allowed (5 −7 seconds).

3. Waiting times for visualizing flashback may be affected by physiochemical and rheological properties, with some products requiring longer negative pressure.

4. Not all injectors are equally able to maintain a steady needle position on bone.

5. Awareness of bevel angle (eg, 45 degrees vs perpendicular) in relation to tissue plane and vascularity is vital.

6. With the needle in perpendicular position, the bevel tip still may be in a dangerous vascular plane despite a stable needle tip on bone as in the forehead or temple (aSTA).

7. Intravascular placement is possible with a cannula, especially with < 25G, and in the presence of underlying fibrosis or skin tethering.

8. Insightful knowledge of vascular anatomy is mandatory, especially pertaining to “z-axis” or vessel depth.

9. Constant vigilance of watershed areas such as nasal tip and glabella is mandatory as these areas often demonstrate early, fleeting blanching.

10. Pain is not invariably present with intravascular injection.

Injection Angles vs Placement Depth (Needle/Cannula)

Angulation dictates injection depth and safety, mandating constant awareness (Figure 19, Table 11).

Figure 19.

For upper forehead injections, the avascular subgaleal plane may be accessed with needle at 45 degrees to bone. Perpendicular injection may cause bevel height to extend to the vascular supragaleal plane.

Table 11.

Angles vs Depth (Needle or Cannula)

Angle	Placement (z-axis)	Functional Implication
10 degrees (needle)	Superficial intradermal	“Superficial blanching technique”
45 degrees (needle)	On bone, bevel down in:
	Upper forehead	Avoids supragaleal/vascular bevel position
	Temporal	Avoids bevel in aSTA plane (pinch/pull away)
90 degrees	To bone:
	Midface
30 degrees, cannula	Above:	May:
	Midface levators	Suppress action/lengthen upper lip
		Improve gummy smile
	DAO	Suppress action/improve downturn of mouth
45 degrees cannula	Below:	May:
	Midface levators	Strengthen levator action
		Worsen gummy smile

Abbreviations: STA, superficial temporal artery; DAO, depressor anguli oris.

Algorithms and Checklists

A thorough pre- and post-procedural history, with careful clinical examination, should elucidate predisposing factors and facilitate categorization of adverse events. After accurate diagnosis, the majority of problems may be managed through algorithms for:

1. Allergic hypersensitivity reactions

2. Vascular events

3. Edema

4. Late-onset adverse events (LOAEs)

Early occurring symptoms and algorithms include factors as illustrated in Figures 20 and 21:

Figure 20.

Early occurring symptoms.

Figure 21.

Late-occurring symptoms of LOAEs.

Abbreviations: HDPH, high-dose pulse hyaluronidase; Resp, respiratory system; CVS, cardiovascular system.

Late occurring adverse events may be classified according to symptoms as non-inflammatory, inflammatory or edema, and treated according to algorithms as shown in Figure 22. Anatomical factors, such as decreased muscle tonus of the orbicularis oculi, can cause symptoms such as the shelving illustrated in Figure 23. Edema may have a variable clinical presentation as demonstrated in Figure 24 and be classified according to temporal onset as seen in Figure 25. Post-procedural swelling (Figure 26) should be clinically differentiated from type 1 hypersensitivity reactions (Figure 27). Importantly, sterile abscesses may occur either as early or late-onset events, mandating targeted antibiotic therapy with incision and drainage in order to avoid tissue necrosis (Figure 28). The differential diagnosis of skin discoloration after fillers is varied (Figure 29). It is critically important to recognize the mottled or livedoid pattern of early vascular occlusion and not to confuse subsequent pustulation with herpes simplex infection.

Figure 22.

Classification of LOAEs.

Figure 23.

Patient demonstrating shelving Rx: surgery. Note: Image courtesy of Dr De Boulle.

Figure 24.

Differential diagnosis of swelling. 1 = edema; 2 = malar edema; 3 = late inflammatory response syndrome; 4 = late onset nodules (LON); 5 = persistent intermittent delayed swelling. Notes: Adapted with permission from Pirayesh A, Bertossi D, Heydenrych I, editors. Aesthetic Facial Anatomy Essentials for Injections. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2020.⁶⁶ Copyright 2020 Taylor & Francis.

Figure 25.

Temporal onset of post-procedural swelling. Notes: Reproduced with permission from Pirayesh A, Bertossi D, Heydenrych I, editors. Aesthetic Facial Anatomy Essentials for Injections. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2020.⁶⁶ Copyright 2020 Taylor & Francis.

Abbreviations: LIRS, late inflammatory response syndrome; LON, late-onset nodules.

Figure 26.

Patient demonstrating postprocedural swelling. Note: Image courtesy of Dr De Boulle.

Abbreviations: LIRS, late inflammatory response syndrome; LON, late-onset nodules.

Figure 27.

Patient demonstrating Type I hypersensitivity. Note: Image courtesy ofDr De Boulle.

Figure 28.

Evolution of a sterile abscess during the first-week post -filler. Rx: targeted antibiotic therapy, with incision and drainage, is vital to prevent tissue necrosis. This presentation may also occur as a late-onset event. Note: Image courtesy of Dr Heydenrych.

Figure 29.

Differential diagnosis of skin discoloration: 1. Hematoma; 2. Ecchymosis; 3. Neovascularization; 4. Hyperpigmentation; 5. The Tyndall effect; 6. Ischaemia. Notes: Adapted with permission from Pirayesh A, Bertossi D, Heydenrych I, editors. Aesthetic Facial Anatomy Essentials for Injections. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2020.⁶⁶ Copyright 2020 Taylor & Francis.

Pre-Treatment Checklist

Country-specific Covid guidelines should be adhered to.⁸¹

Post-Treatment Checklist

Patient adherence to the factors as noted in Table 12 should be encouraged.

Table 12.

Suggested Inclusions for Post-Procedure Checklist

Practice contact number (24h)
Please report	Color change/pain/undue swelling
	Blistering
	Anything else that is concerning you
	Please note that procedural swelling peaks at 48 hrs
Suggested skin products for next 24h	……………………………………………. ……………………………………………..
Please avoid	Contaminated make-up
	Unclean tap water
	Undue touching/fiddling
	Dental procedures/oral hygienist for 2–4 weeks
	Vaccination: time window 2–4 weeks
	Recent paper suggested 4 to 8 weeks between vaccination and filler, but overall incidence of LOAEs in correlation with infection/vaccination at this time not known
Discuss other planned procedures/EBD’s
Your follow-up date is	…/…/…
Time	… h….

Abbreviation: EBD, energy-based device.

Hypersensitivity

Aesthetic practices should be geared for efficient management of hypersensitivity events, albeit rare (Table 13).⁸² Computer reminders are suggested for emergency drug expiry dates.

Table 13.

Management of Anaphylaxis with Emergency Crash Cart

Airway	Mouthpiece, Laryngoscope, tube
Breathing	Ambubag
Circulation	IV butterfly, infusion set
	Saline/Ringers/Plasma expanders
Drugs	Adrenalin 1: 1000
	H1 + H2 Antihistamines
	iv steroids
	Vasopressors
	Chewable aspirin
Ophthalmic event	Rebreathing: Brown paper bag timolol, apraclonidine, bimatoprost drops
	Vision: Snellen App
	Pupillary reflexes: Light source

Abbreviation: IV, intravenous.

Vascular Events

Sufficient hyaluronidase should be available for the management of intravascular events, with high-dose pulse hyaluronidase (HDPH) currently deemed the gold standard (see Table 14). Dosage is according to tissue volume or areas involved. At least 5×1500 IU (or equivalent dosage in other format vials) should be available in-clinic. Check expiry dates.

Table 14.

High-Dose Pulse Hyaluronidase (HDPH) for Intravascular Events.

High Dose Pulse Hyaluronidase (HDPH)
Dosage	Standard dosage	500 IU per area
	Lip, nose, and forehead	Act as multipliers
	2 areas	1000 IU per hour
	3 areas	1500 IU per area
Protocol
Inject at least every 60–90 minutes until skin color has normalized and capillary refill time has improved Massage to increase tissue contact with hyaluronidase Aim to complete treatment within 72 hours of onset for complete resolution Keep patient in-clinic for observation and treatment until the capillary refill has improved

Note: Data from Delorenzi.⁹⁵

Abbreviation: IU, international units.

Hyaluronidase treatment for intravascular placement should be instituted as soon as possible, with cut-off time regarded as 4 days. Later treatment options include anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics, hyperbaric oxygen, and standard wound care.

Visual Complications

There is a paucity of local management guidelines for visual complications after dermal fillers. A recent study cited widespread unawareness of existing protocols despite awareness of the complication in 75% of respondents, underscoring the urgent need for multidisciplinary collaboration and structured protocols.⁸³

In contrast to previous studies, a recent systematic review detailing HA fillers only showed no cases after lower face treatment, with 32/44 events occurring after injection of the glabella and nose.⁸⁴ Blindness has been reported with volumes as low as 0.2 mL of HA filler, whilst 0.085 mL may fill the supratrochlear artery from skin to orbit.⁷³

Visual loss is often instantaneous and may be painless. Early, accurate documentation of visual signs is mandatory for subsequent decisions in the retinal referral centre (Table 15).

Table 15.

Prognosis

Glabellar injections	Often CRAO, with sudden painless loss of vision; Snellen acuity of only counting fingers
Nasal injections	Often OAO; 6 prognostic types, diffuse occlusion carrying worse prognosis
CRAO	Poor prognosis;15% spontaneous recovery or after traditional rescue methods Partial recovery has been documented 15 hrs after incomplete CRAO
OAO	Poor prognosis
BRAO	Better prognosis; quadrantal visual field with early preservation of central visual acuity
Irreversible damage	60–90 minutes; may be less

Abbreviations: CRAO, central retinal artery obstruction; OAO, ophthalmic artery occlusion; BRAO, branch retinal artery occlusion.

Treatment

There is currently a lack of indisputable evidence for reversal of injection-related visual compromise (IRVC), with conflicting reports regarding the merits of retrobulbar, supraorbital, and supratrochlear hyaluronidase and an urgent need for multidisciplinary collaboration.⁸⁵

Many studies are flawed by incomplete documentation. It is imperative that vision is documented upfront in order to establish prognosis.

Neurologic Assessment

Given the 24% incidence of concomitant cerebral involvement, the exact mechanism of which still needs elucidation, a multi-speciality approach including neurological and neurosurgical examination is vital.

Practice Protocol for Injection-Related Visual Compromise (IRVC)

Although no universal protocol exists, factors as noted in Table 16 should be considered and documented. Upfront medico-legal advice may be advisable.

Table 16.

A Suggested Practice Protocol for Managing Ophthalmic Incidents in the Aesthetic Practice

Retinal ER	Contact person	Document time ………..
	Mobile number	……………………..
	Address	……………………..
Practice	Reporting staff member	……………………..
	Injecting physician	……………………..
Stop injecting!	Staff: Call Retinal ER	Document time ………..
Product	What injected	……………………..
	Where (area)	……………………..
	How much	……………………..
	When	Time of injection…………….
		Time of cessation…………….
Patient complaint	Vision reduced	R/L…………….
Symptom	Pain/Diplopia/Skin	R/L…………….
	Other symptoms	……………………..
Test eyes separately	(Occlude opposite eye)
Test vision + Document
	Light perception	Y/N
	Hand movement	Y/N
	Finger count	Y/N
	Snellen chart (app)	……………………..
	Available reading material	……………………..
Pupillary reflex	R eye: Y/N	L eye: Y/N
Medical RX decompress	Aproclonidine drops Timolol 0.5% drops *Bimatoprost drops	Every 15 minutes
	Acetazolamide 500mg	Oral
	Acetylsalicylic acid *Nitroglycerin 0,6mg	Sublingual
Ocular massage	Supine, eyes closed	Firm pressure 5–15 sec, release Repeat cycle 5x
Rebreathing (vasodilatory)	Brown paper bag	10 minutes per 30 minute cycles
Hyaluronidase (dissolve)	>1000–1500 IU	*Retrobulbar *STA/SO Infiltrate/cannulate
Emergency transfer		*Retrobulbar Hase Retinal specialist

Note: *Conflicting evidence.

Abbreviations: RB, retrobulbar; PG, peribulbar; ST, supratrochlear artery; SO, supraorbital artery.

Late-Onset Adverse Events

LOAEs may present clinically as swelling, induration, nodules, or intermittent swelling (persistent intermittent delayed swelling = PIDS) (Figures 30–32).

Figure 30.

The clinical spectrum of LOAEs includes inflammatory or non-inflammatory manifestations, including swelling, induration, and nodules. Onset is usually after > 4 weeks.

Figure 31.

Patient with LOAE (nodule). Despite lack of improvement on long-term antibiotics, total resolution was affected with colchicine.

Figure 32.

Patient with PIDS successfully treated with 0.1 mL of hyaluronidase. Note: Image courtesy of Dr A De Almeida.

The ASIA Syndrome (Autoimmune/Inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants)

In genetically predisposed hosts such as HLA B8 or HLA DRB1*- positive individuals, biomaterials may trigger delayed immune responses, eventually progressing to granulomatous or autoimmune disorders falling into the ASIA diagnostic complex (Table 17).³¹ Two or more stimuli increase the risk of abnormal immune responses and include:

• Local trauma

• Infections

• Filler injections

• Vaccines

• Dental amalgams

• Menstrual exacerbations

Table 17.

ASIA Syndrome: Summary

Onset	Usually 3/12 post-filler; most > 12 months
Hypersensitivity	Type lV; sometimes I/lll
Mechanisms	Heightened innate immunity, TLR binding, reinforced activity of antigen-presenting cells (APC’s), raised local reactions to antigens, and release of inflammatory cytokines
Clinical presentation	Gradual regional evolution, eventual systemic extension, or primary systemic autoimmune disease. Regional or widespread localized inflammatory reactions, with rapid progression to all previously injected areas, should raise the possibility of the ASIA syndrome
Symptoms	As in autoimmune disease Commonly include arthralgia, general weakness, myalgia, palmar-digital erythema, and arthritis. Menstrual exacerbation, sometimes severe, has been ascribed to estrogens and TNF-α, directly or through their influence on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).31,96
Laboratory	Positive laboratory results include ANA (80%+), hyper γ globulinemia, raised ACE and LDH, positive anti-Ro and anti-TPO-AB.
Treatment	Challenging, generally requiring a combination of steroids and antibiotics.31 Long-term steroids, NSAIDs, Hydroxychloroquine, allopurinol, and high dose cetirizine have been utilized either alone or in combination with good results and no adverse effects.
Prognosis	In the absence of well-defined autoimmune disease, good clinical response in more than 70% after two years of chronic treatment with strong combinations of anti-inflammatory and/or immunomodulating drugs. Practically, all refractory cases are sensitive to oral tacrolimus, usually at a low dose, which inhibits interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and blocks T cell proliferation.

Note: Data from Alijotas-Reig,³¹ Clare and Rowley,⁶³ and Mackern-Oberti et al.⁹⁶

HA is thought to trigger the immune system via adjuvant effect rather than primary antigenic immune response, being cited as potential trigger in 340/350 patients with previous filler treatments where filler removal effected improvement in 60% of cases. The adjuvant effect of microbial molecules may determine a limited autoimmune response vs evolution to full-blown disease.

Infection

Ciprofloxacin now carries an FDA black box warning and should not be prescribed for longer than 60 days (British National Formulary). Potential quinolone side-effects, including colitis and prolonged QT interval, merit recommendation as third-line agents in case of intolerance, allergy, or contraindication to macrolides and tetracyclines. Dual antibiotic therapy should continue for four weeks, followed by patient re-assessment (Table 18).⁸⁶

Table 18.

Antibiotic Choice by Infection Origin (Adhere to Country-Specific Microbiotic Guidelines)

Skin	Sinus	Dental	GIT	Low-Grade Infections
Doxycycline Clindamycin Clarithromycin Azithromycin	Doxycycline Cephalexin Amoxycillin + Clavulanic acid	Amoxicillin Clindamycin Cephalosporin Amoxycillin + Clavulanic acid	Metronidazole Clindamycin Ciprofloxacin	Doxycycline Azithromycin

Conclusion

Facial filler treatment is a constantly evolving field mandating continuous reassessment and improvement. New challenges (eg, the COVID 19 SARS 2 pandemic) prompt new insights, with resultant evolution in the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and therapeutic approaches to filler complications.

The updated 10-point plan aims to empower aesthetic physicians to perform optimally through prudent patient selection, knowledgeable product choice, and attentive procedural planning. The most dreaded adverse events are vascular complications and filler-induced blindness. However, with a systematic approach, in-depth knowledge of facial anatomy, and appropriate algorithms, the majority of adverse events are avoidable or manageable.

This updated version of our former publication attempts to illuminate salient background knowledge, whilst still embodying a practical reference guide to the cosmetic health-care practitioner. Hopefully, an increased understanding of safety factors may serve to protect not only our patients but also the future of aesthetic medicine.

Consent

Written informed consent for publication of their clinical details and/or clinical images was obtained from the patients. No ethical concerns were raised in this paper.

Disclosure

Dr Izolda Heydenrych reports honoraria for advisory boards and lecturing from Allergan, outside the submitted work; and being a consultant for Allergan/AbbVie, LÓreal, LaRochePosay, SkinCeuticals, Genop Healthcare. Dr Koenraad De Boulle reports grants and personal fees from Allergan and Genévrier, outside the submitted work. The authors report no other potential conflicts of interest in this work.