Dermal Filler Complications: What You Need to Know and How We Can Help

Meta Description: Learn about the potential complications of dermal fillers, including swelling, infection, vascular occlusion, and delayed reactions. Discover how mySkinDoc can help if you experience a problem.

Dermal fillers have become one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatments in the UK, helping thousands of people enhance facial volume, soften wrinkles, and rejuvenate their appearance. While they are generally safe when performed by trained professionals, complications can and do occur. Understanding the possible side effects, how to recognise warning signs, and where to seek expert help is essential for anyone considering or recovering from a dermal filler treatment.

At mySkinDoc, our dermatology specialists are here to support patients who have experienced complications following dermal fillers-whether your treatment was carried out privately or elsewhere.

Common Side Effects vs Complications

It’s important to distinguish between normal side effects and true complications. Most people experience mild swelling, bruising, and tenderness at the injection site for a few days after treatment. These are temporary and typically resolve without intervention.

However, when symptoms are severe, persistent, or unexpected, they may indicate a complication that requires medical attention.

Common Dermal Filler Complications

Lumps, Nodules, or Asymmetry

Sometimes the filler may form visible or palpable lumps under the skin. These may occur due to poor injection technique, incorrect filler placement, or movement of the filler post-treatment.

Injection site of dermal filler treatment showing potential complications.

Immediate lumps are often due to local swelling or bruising. Delayed lumps may appear weeks or months later and can be inflammatory or caused by granuloma (a type of immune reaction).

In some cases, these can be corrected by gentle massage or dissolving the filler using hyaluronidase (if a hyaluronic acid-based filler was used).

Infection

Infections can occur if the injection site is not kept sterile or if post-procedure aftercare is not followed. Symptoms may include redness, warmth, swelling, pus, and pain at the site.

Rarely, biofilm infections can develop-these are low-grade, chronic infections that can cause recurrent lumps or inflammation long after the treatment. Prompt medical treatment, often with antibiotics or even drainage, is essential.

Vascular Occlusion

This is one of the most serious complications of dermal fillers and happens when filler is inadvertently injected into or compresses a blood vessel. It can block the blood supply to skin or deeper tissues.

Warning signs of vascular occlusion include:

• Severe pain

• Pale or dusky skin

• Blanching (white patches)

• Mottled or net-like discolouration

  
  

If not treated urgently, it can lead to skin necrosis (tissue death), scarring, or even blindness if filler affects the vessels around the eyes. Immediate use of hyaluronidase to dissolve the filler, warming the area, and improving blood flow can reverse the effects if treated quickly.

Blindness

Though extremely rare, blindness is the most devastating possible complication. It occurs when filler enters a blood vessel that supplies the eye, typically through the glabella, nose, or forehead area. This is a medical emergency.

Environment of a clinic providing emergency care for eye complications.

Once vision is lost, reversal is difficult. It’s a key reason why injectors must be properly trained and use safe techniques.

Allergic or Hypersensitivity Reactions

Some patients may experience allergic responses to the filler product or the local anaesthetic (often lidocaine) mixed with the filler. Symptoms can include:

• Itching

• Swelling

• Hives

• Redness

• In rare cases, anaphylaxis

  
  

Always ensure a full allergy history is taken prior to treatment.

Tyndall Effect

This is a bluish discoloration of the skin, usually under the eyes, caused by filler being injected too superficially. It’s more likely to occur with hyaluronic acid fillers and can often be reversed with hyaluronidase.

Delayed Onset Nodules and Granulomas

These are immune system reactions that may develop weeks or months after treatment. They can appear as hard, painless or painful lumps under the skin and may be triggered by infections, trauma, or unknown causes.

Treatment may involve corticosteroids, antibiotics, or enzyme injections to dissolve the filler.

When to Seek Help

If you experience any of the following symptoms after your filler treatment, contact a medical professional immediately:

• Severe or increasing pain

• Skin discolouration, especially blotchy red, purple, or white patches

• Signs of infection (fever, pus, increasing redness)

• Lumps that do not resolve with time

• Vision problems or eye pain

• Persistent swelling or hard nodules

  
  

How mySkinDoc Can Help

At mySkinDoc, we frequently see patients who have had filler complications, whether from beauty salons, private clinics, or even medically trained professionals. We offer:

• ✅ Remote dermatology assessments – get a diagnosis and treatment plan from your home

• ✅ Specialist advice – from doctors with expertise in filler complications and skin reactions

• ✅ Prescriptions and aftercare – for infections, inflammation, or allergic reactions

• ✅ Referral pathways – if your condition needs urgent face-to-face treatment or hyaluronidase intervention

  
  

We understand the distress that cosmetic complications can cause-not just physically but emotionally as well. You don’t have to suffer in silence or feel embarrassed to ask for help.

How to Reduce the Risk of Filler Complications

While no procedure is 100% risk-free, you can greatly minimise your risk by:

• Choosing a qualified and medically trained injector (preferably a doctor, dentist, or nurse prescriber)

• Ensuring the treatment takes place in a clean, clinical environment

• Checking that the clinic has emergency protocols and access to hyaluronidase

• Avoiding treatments at unlicensed premises or by untrained individuals

• Disclosing all medical history, medications, and allergies before treatment

• Following all aftercare instructions

  
  

FAQs

Q: Are dermal fillers safe?

Yes, dermal fillers are generally safe when performed by a trained medical professional in a clinical setting. However, like all medical procedures, they carry some risks.

Q: Can filler complications be reversed?

If the filler is hyaluronic acid-based, many complications can be reversed using an enzyme called hyaluronidase. Early intervention is key.

Q: How do I know if I’ve had a vascular occlusion?

If you experience severe pain and notice whitening or mottling of the skin near the injection site, seek medical help immediately. It could indicate vascular occlusion.

Q: What if my filler was done abroad or by a non-medical practitioner?

mySkinDoc can still assess your complication and guide your next steps, whether or not the original practitioner was regulated in the UK.

Final Thoughts

While dermal fillers can offer amazing results, complications-though rare-can be serious. At mySkinDoc, we are committed to helping patients not just achieve great skin, but also navigate issues when things don’t go to plan. If you’re worried about a dermal filler side effect, reach out to us for fast, professional help.

Need help with a dermal filler complication? Book a remote consultation with a skin specialist at mySkinDoc and get expert advice from the comfort of your home.