Dermatologists and plastic surgeons reassure that the “risk is rare; get vaccinated.”
Misinformation linking the COVID-19 vaccine and dermal fillers have been swirling around the internet, however, plastic surgeons and dermatologists have voiced that the “risk is rare so get vaccinated.” Dr. Lara Devgan has expressed concern that the sensationalized information spreading in the media is affecting her patients’ decision in getting the vaccine. "[I have] patients saying they're too scared to get the vaccine because they like their fillers," says Devgan. She says to trust the science behind the vaccine studies, and not to mention, she got the vaccine in December and has fillers herself.
As of the end of December, the New York Times reported that one in 1,000 Americans has died from Covid-19 so there should be no question of the significance and implications. It is a public health crisis and when people start to question the validity of the vaccination, it becomes dangerous to the individual and the collective. Amelia K. Hausauer, a board-certified dermatologist, has noted that there are still a lot of unknowns regarding the Moderna trials with patients with fillers. "Vaccines and fillers are not mutually exclusive," Hausauer reiterates. As the ASDS states, "Given currently available data, patients already treated with dermal fillers should not be discouraged or precluded from receiving vaccines of any kind. Similarly, patients who have had vaccines should not be precluded from receiving dermal fillers in the future.”
At the end of the day, expert injectors are trained to manage filler complications if it ever came to that. Do not let the fear of temporary facial swelling stop you from getting vaccinated. This is a worldwide health crisis and getting your Covid-19 shot will be part of the process of ending the pandemic.
To conclude: Do your part. Get vaccinated.
By Caroline Campos