One of the main problems with filler injections into the face, such as Restylane, Juvederm and Radiesse, has been bruising. This usually occurs with injections into the marionette lines, or in the lower lids. The bruising can last up to 1–2 weeks for some people and is often difficult to cover with make-up. There are even some patients who elect not to do any further injections due to the bruising!
At the recent Facial Plastic Surgery conference in San Francisco, there was a presentaion to the surgeons about a new type of canula to do the injections. Filler injections are routinely done with small needles, which accounts for the bruising, as the needle can nick a blood vessel as it enters the skin. The new canulas have a blunt tip, so that there is no risk of damaging a blood vessel and causing a bruise. As we incorporate these canulas into our practices, we should see significanly less buising than in the past — which is great news for our patients!
