There is no reason to avoid the vaccine if you have dermal fillers. There have been a small number of cases where Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is suspected of triggering localized swelling in people who had dermal fillers (most often on the face or lips). It is possible that the vaccine triggered an immune system reaction that caused the inflammation. The problems weren't caused by an infection or an allergic reaction.
If you have dermal fillers and experience a reaction, know that it is likely to be temporary. You can take an over-the-counter antihistamine, which can help reduce swelling, or call your dermatologist for advice. But ultimately, as long as there's no other medical reason why you shouldn't get vaccinated, you can and should protect your health by getting the vaccine. The American Society of Dermatological Surgery (ASDS) recently published guidance on the side effects of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine on dermal fillers. The main difference between these two injectables is that neurotoxins are used to temporarily paralyze facial muscles, while dermal fillers provide volume with a substance that is slow to absorb.
Botox is a neurotoxin that is injected into the muscle and dissolves quickly, while dermal filler injections stay under the skin for 6-12 months. In addition to this guidance, members of the Guidelines Task for Soft Tissue Fillers also plan to publish multi-specialized clinical guidance on the prevention and treatment of adverse events related to the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine caused by soft tissue fillers. FDA data reports show that three of the 15,184 participants who received at least one dose of Moderna's mRNA-1273 vaccine developed lip swelling for the face in areas where dermal filler was placed, while no participant in the placebo group experienced any adverse effects related to filling. This reaction is thought to represent a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to an immune trigger following vaccination against COVID-19. Mild swelling is a completely normal reaction to a vaccine and is not a problem unique to the COVID vaccine or dermal fillers. Our case documents that this rare reaction can occur up to 3 years after dermal filler injection. The area of the body where you receive the dermal filler injection could influence the inflammation caused by the vaccine.
Adverse skin reactions associated with dermal fillers and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine have rarely been reported. In conclusion, temporary swelling around dermal fillers shows that the vaccine safely and effectively triggers an immune system response in the body. As long as there's no other medical reason why you shouldn't get vaccinated, you can and should protect your health by getting the vaccine.
