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Dermal Fillers

Why Forehead Filler Is So Risky

The forehead contains several nerves and blood vessels which may result in serious complications if blocked or injured during a cosmetic procedure. This article explains the benefits of forehead fillers, what you should do before forehead filler injection, and the risks associated with forehead fillers.

Forehead filler treatment is on the rise. The rise is attributed to social media influence and the wearing of masks which has made people more concerned about their foreheads. Most celebrities have posted filler treatment procedures online, creating awareness worldwide. Two main forms of injections are done on the forehead: muscle-relaxing and fillers. The muscle-relaxing injections target dynamic wrinkles, which are the lines that appear with facial expressions when we raise our eyebrows. They help prevent wrinkles, while dermal fillers correct aging aspects like adding volume and correcting static lines and wrinkles.

Forehead treatments might look easy but risky and require an experienced cosmetic practitioner. The forehead has two important blood vessels, supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries, amongst other blood vessels at the center of the forehead. According to Wollina et al. (2020), if the cosmetic doctor accidentally injects the filler into these arteries, it may cause tissue necrosis or death caused by blockage of a blood vessel that leads to a lack of supply of blood and oxygen to the nearby tissues. This damage is irreversible. Another severe risk is blindness. According to Hu et al. (2016), when the filler blocks the supraorbital arteries, it causes blood supply blockage to the eyes. Then this artery gets injured, and it can cause blindness. This reason makes forehead fillers a very risky type of dermal fillers that needs a high level of competence to perform them. Forehead fillers can also cause asymmetries and irregularities on the face. This can happen mostly because of failure to observe after filler tips that facilitate recovery. Gladstone & Cohen (2007, March) states that Asymmetries and irregularities are caused by filler migration under the skin from the injection area into the surrounding areas. Also, the forehead skin is thicker compared to the lips and does not seem to hold the filler better. Injecting the forehead area may cause permanent changes that were not intended to be. It can cause loss of skin around the brows and upper eyelid of overfilled.

According to Funt& Pavicic (2013), other side effects like swelling, bruising, and infections can also occur after filler injection into the forehead.

What You Should Do Before Forehead Filler Injection

Even though forehead filler injections appear risky, they have several benefits, especially when injections are done alongside other treatments. For this reason, it is necessary to note that:

· Accidental injection into arteries can cause severe complications; patients should ensure that their doctors are familiar with all the injections. Experienced cosmetic practitioners should perform the forehead filler injection procedure for a better treatment outcome.

· Consultation is crucial in determining the filler’s suitability on your forehead. A consultation allows the cosmetic practitioner to advise the patient and discuss the procedure’s risks before it is done.

· The patient must be taught how to identify possible side effects in case they appear after injection. Fillers can last between 6 to 18 months. However, the patient might experience side effects requiring the doctors’ intervention; patients are taught how to identify side effects during treatment.

· It is important to get after-injection tips from your cosmetic doctor to help you with a better recovery routine that ensures all is done to heal the injected area.

· You should ask your cosmetic doctor how many procedures they have performed and whether they offer emergency medication after injection in case of complications. This should include the reversal of the filler if the outcome of the result is unwanted. In most cases, hyaluronidase dissolves the filler during the reversal procedure.

Benefits of Forehead Fillers

Improve the Shape of the Forehead

Injecting the filler into the forehead improves the appearance of the forehead; they add volume and remove wrinkles on the forehead. The procedure can be administered at different points in the forehead and used to shape the appearance of the forehead. These injections should be aligned with the overall facial shape and structure.

Reduce the Appearance of Static Lines and Wrinkles

The use of dermal fillers cannot target expression lines because they keep on moving. However, fixed lines that may appear with age can be removed using dermal fillers to fill the spaces under these lines, making a face smooth.

Improves Facial Asymmetry

Asymmetry of the face might occur due to scars resulting from accidents and injuries. Adding fillers in a specific facial area can help create a more uniform appearance. 

Forehead Fillers Aftercare Tips

It is advisable not to touch your face immediately after the filler injection. Also, avoid anything that may come into contact with the injected area. One should also avoid smoking and drinking as they may worsen complications like bruising and swelling. Exercise may increase the rate of blood flow, which may cause swelling. Drinking plenty of water to hydrate your body and, most importantly, improve the recovery of the injected area is also vital. Other strategies include avoiding extreme exposure for 24 to 48 hours after the injections to avoid making the bruises worse.

Frequently Asked Questions about Forehead Fillers

Is Forehead Filler Painful?

Like other dermal fillers, forehead filler is not painful. A numbing cream is applied before an injection is done on the injected area. This prevents pain during injection. Some sites, like lips, are more sensitive and can be uncomfortable.

Do Forehead Fillers Completely Dissolve Away?

Most fillers completely break down and dissolve into the water in the body. However, some fillers last longer and require an injection to break them down.

How Many mls. Do I Need?

It depends on the result the patient is trying to achieve and the shape of the forehead. Multiple mls can be injected to gain a better result.

Conclusion

If you plan to improve your facial appearance, make sure you identify a qualified cosmetic doctor and book an appointment to get enough information about the procedure before you decide to have it. Forehead fillers are less invasive and give immediate results when performed by a competent cosmetic doctor; qualified professionals reduce the chances of getting complications. This makes filler injection a suitable way to improve forehead appearance. It would help to inform the cosmetic doctor about your expectations and get recommendations before the treatment. Follow all the after-filler instructions to achieve better results.

References

Funt, D., & Pavicic, T. (2013). Dermal fillers in aesthetics: an overview of adverse events and treatment approaches. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 6, 295.

Hu, X. Z., Hu, J. Y., Wu, P. S., Yu, S. B., Kikkawa, D. O., & Lu, W. (2016). Posterior ciliary artery occlusion caused by hyaluronic acid injections into the forehead: a case report. Medicine, 95(11).

Wollina, U., Katsambas, E. A., Lotti, T., Jafferany, M., Navarini, A. A., Berg, R. V., … & MDl, M. G. (2020). Complication of soft tissue fillers: prevention and management review. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 19(9), 829-832.

Gladstone, H. B., & Cohen, J. L. (2007, March). Adverse effects when injecting facial fillers. In Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery (Vol. 26, No. 1, pp. 34-39). WB Saunders.

Barbara Santini
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