COVID-19 Vaccine Decoded for Filler Patients

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As we enter 2021, the COVID-19 vaccine has swirling questions around it (ie: where / when can we get it? Are there any side effects?). After some early reports of facial or lip swelling in patients with hyaluronic acid (HA)-based filler who received the Moderna vaccine, beauty aficionados began buzzing about the potential side effects.AEDIT, a trusted destination for unbiased and medically approved content to support the aesthetic journey, has everything consumers need to know about this rare occurrence. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Based on what is known so far, COVID-19 antibodies formed by the body in response to the Moderna vaccine do not fight or attack dermal fillers. 
  • The vaccine triggers a Type IV hypersensitivity reaction to the HA filler. Type IV hypersensitivity reactions are delayed allergic reactions to any foreign substance in the body. Many triggers can induce the late-onset response — including the flu vaccine, common cold, and certain medications — and it can happen several months to even a year after getting the injectable.
  • The reactions reported from the Moderna trial and previous evidence seems to suggest a link between the Juvéderm Vycross collection of filler — including Voluma, Vollure, and Volbella — and Type IV hypersensitivity reactions, but swelling has also been reported with brands like Restylane and, most recently, Revance RHA.
  • While dermal filler patients should be aware of the possibility of a localized inflammatory response to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the cases are rare and the effects are self-limiting and readily treatable. 
  • The risks associated with receiving the COVID-19 vaccine have thus far proven to be very low and do not outweigh the benefits of delaying or not receiving the vaccine.

AEDIT is the first-of-its-kind, technology-driven portal that simplifies and safeguards the search for aesthetic solutions and verified information for patients. Please reach out if you’d like to speak with AEDIT founder or a Board Member for comment on this topic. 

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