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The Dangers of Online Dermal Filler

The Dangers of Online Dermal Filler

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Recently a colleague sent me a horrifying viral video. This video showed “a social media influencer” teaching self-injections of dermal filler, such as Juvederm. This person performing this procedure had no certification, training or licensing. To make this perfectly clear she self admits that she has no medical training nor is she a trained esthetician. She simply ordered the filler online from another country and decided to self-inject.

As a dermatology nurse practitioner who has been performing these treatments for over 5 years, I was mortified. For one this is a medical procedure involving injectable medications to correct volume deficits. Therefore, only experienced, certified, and highly trained health care providers should perform this procedure. While dermal filler complications are rare they still happen and can have devastating consequences such as blindness and tissue necrosis. Secondly, a filler that is purchased outside of the US is not regulated nor approved by the FDA. Often, these fillers are counterfeit. I along with the FDA urge against self- injecting or purchasing dermal filler online. This is not a knock off designer handbag. This is a serious medication. The FDA advises DO NOT inject soft tissue fillers if you do not have the appropriate training and experience.

Choosing an Injector

It is extremely important for a patient to be knowledgeable on how to choose an injector. The number one thing I urge patients to ask their injector before consenting to injections is “Do you have hyaluronidase and do you have a protocol for when and how to administer it?” If they can’t immediately answer this question and show you the written protocol then that is a huge red flag that they do not have adequate training. What is hyaluronidase? It is an enzyme that will dissolve the filler and it is the only thing that can remove filler if it enters a blood vessel. It works when administered immediately and properly to treat possible adverse effects of HA fillers. Any person or clinic who does not have hyaluronidase available immediately is putting your health at risk.

Our Dermal Filler Capabilities

At the Skin Care Center of Southern Illinois, dermal filler injections are safely performed by our highly trained, certified and experienced staff of Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants under the supervision of a board-certified dermatologist. Yearly we update our protocols to reflect the most up to date guidelines for safe effective use of dermal fillers. The FDA has approved our dermal fillers and they come directly from the manufacturers. We also keep multiple vials of hyaluronidase on hand in the rare chance of an adverse event. Just because we make it look easy does not mean it is. So please remember to always “Trust a Specialty Practice with the Skin You’re In”.

If you are interested in dermal filler please call 618-244-0031 to book a complimentary cosmetic consultation with one of our providers.

Natalie Amason has been a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner since 2014 and has extensive knowledge of medical and cosmetic dermatology. She is accepting new adult and pediatric patients.