Dermal filler treatments are incredibly popular and the aesthetics industry is a crowded one. Whilst at Aspir8 we love good filler procedures carried out by medical professionals, we also know that dermal fillers have the potential to be dangerous. Vascular Occlusion (VO) is just one complication that can arise. But what exactly is a VO and how can we limit the risk?
Dermal Filler Safety – What is a VO?
A VO is one of the most common possible side effects of injecting dermal filler and also one of the most feared. It occurs when blood is no longer able to pass through a blood vessel. This may be a complete occlusion or partial occlusion, resulting in diminished or no blood supply. Injecting dermal filler into a blood vessel can cause this blockage which can lead to serious complications for a patient including skin necrosis and blindness. The face is full of blood vessels which sit under the skin so an expert anatomical knowledge and treatment experience is therefore super important when it comes to avoiding a VO.
The immediate Signs of a VO are:
- Blanching: A lightening or whitening of the skin.
- Pain: The patient may complain of immediate and severe pain.
- Temperature: The skin could be cold to touch.
- Tingling skin: Patients might complain about a tingling sensation to the skin.
Dermal Filler Aspiration
Aspiration is a technique many practitioners use as a safety step to avoid vascular occlusion. Before injecting product, the injector pulls back on the syringe plunger once the needle is in place. A positive aspiration (flashbacks of blood in the syringe) indicates that the needle has been placed into a blood vessel. If this happens it means you can avoid injecting filler into this area and choose a different entry point. Many aesthetic practitioners regard this as an essential part of the treatment process.
Keeping Patients Safe with Aspir8
Our Aspir8 safety products make aspiration easier than ever. Our debut Aspir8 thumb ring is the first single handed aspirator in the UK and is designed to improve stability, injector confidence and patient safety. The device is simple, yet effective and takes injector skills to the next level. The Aspir8 thumb ring effortlessly clips onto your syringe without fuss and becomes a seamless extension of your injecting apparatus.
Patient Safety – Reversing a VO
In the right hands, instances of a VO should be very rare. That said, all practitioners should have a process in place to follow if a VO emergency does unfortunately occur. In this event, hyaluronidase can be used to dissolve the hyaluronic based dermal filler product. In this situation acting promptly is paramount and you should therefore be prepared for this emergency at all times. Remaining calm and communicating with your patient when a VO occurs is key; they will likely feel worried and distressed so it is important to explain your diagnosis and how they will be treated, whilst providing reassurance.