A Spanish woman experienced severe lip swelling after undergoing a procedure to dissolve her lip filler.
According to The Sun, Sara Jurado Garcia posted footage on her social media showing the process of dissolving her lip filler. Lip fillers are a cosmetic procedure in which hyaluronic acid and other skin components are injected into thin or wrinkled lips to give them volume.
Sara applied numbing cream all over her lips. Shortly after, her lips began to swell excessively. The swelling became extreme, and she even began drooling.
Viewers of Sara’s video reacted with mixed emotions. While some urged her to “go to the hospital immediately,” others commented, “Sorry, but I can’t stop laughing,” and “You look like a blobfish.”
Eventually, Sara sought medical treatment and was diagnosed with an allergic reaction to hyaluronidase, the enzyme used to break down hyaluronic acid. Fortunately, with proper treatment, her lips returned to normal. Her video has since garnered over 10 million views.
Severe Side Effects May Necessitate Filler Removal
Filler injections are typically absorbed naturally by the skin over time. However, if the results are unsatisfactory or side effects are severe shortly after the procedure, the filler can be dissolved using hyaluronidase. Adverse reactions to hyaluronidase can include redness, hives, and swelling. In more serious cases, it can lead to anaphylaxis — a severe and rapid allergic response in which the immune system overreacts to an allergen, posing a life-threatening risk.
According to data released by the Korea Institute of Drug Safety & Risk Management, there were three reported cases of suspected anaphylaxis due to hyaluronidase in 2017, another three in 2018, and five in 2019. While rare, if one experiences an allergic reaction to this enzyme, immediate treatment with steroids and antihistamines is necessary.
Meanwhile, adverse reactions can also occur from the filler injections themselves, not just from hyaluronidase. It is safest to receive such procedures from experienced plastic surgeons or dermatologists to minimize complications. If the treated area takes on a bluish tone, it may indicate infection, inflammation, embolism, or necrosis, in which case, consulting a relevant medical professional is advised.
