To understand exactly what is happening inside your body, how When cheek edema appears, Dr. Partha compares the lymphatic system to the plumbing in a house. “The purpose of the lymphatic system around the eyes is to remove fluid from the soft tissues, and when the lymphatic system becomes blocked, swelling occurs in that area.” [where the fluid] It’s not flowing,” he explains.
What causes cheek edema?
Although the focus here is within cosmetic procedures, there are other natural causes of cheek edema, such as aging. “The lymphatic vessels in the cheek area are very sensitive and slow down as we age, making us more susceptible to fluid overload,” Dr. Palsa says, noting that there is also a genetic component. Therefore, if your grandparents had malar edema, you are likely to develop the condition at some point.
“[Malar edema] They may also be seen after surgical procedures that remove tissue from the lower eyelid or cheek area, such as facelifts or mid-facelifts, or from facial trauma due to accidents,” Dr. Schwartz added. External factors such as smoking and unprotected sun exposure can also exacerbate the problem, he says.
However, as fillers become more and more common, doctors see cases where improperly or excessively placed fillers in the under-eye area can cause cheek edema and interfere with the lymphatic drainage system. is increasing.
“In fact, overdosing on under-eye fillers is an epidemic because patients who are not suitable candidates are receiving them,” says Dr. Palsa. “In reality, only 10 percent are true candidates for tear trough filling.” Dr. Partha says that in patients who have not lost volume in the under-eye area, hyaluronic acid fillers can cause an inflammatory response, migrate, and cause lymphatic drainage. He explained that it can cause blockage of the ducts, resulting in intermittent swelling, noting that the swelling is:can last up to Ten Year.
Dr. Partha explains that regardless of whether you need under-eye fillers or not, your chances of developing cheek edema increase significantly each time you receive an injection, which can be further exacerbated by fluid retention or a predisposition to chronic allergies. To do.
What’s frustrating is that swelling and fluid buildup can fluctuate, Dr. Palsa added. “One day you might have swelling, and another day you might have no swelling.” It’s nostalgic.
How do I know if I’m a candidate for under-eye fillers?
“Lower eyelid or tear trough filling can be a great procedure if done in the right candidate. The challenge lies in correctly defining the best candidate,” says Dr. Schwartz. The “best” candidates have hollow areas where fillers can be placed and do not have large fat pads under the eyes. Contrary to popular belief, if you have “sagging” or excess skin, you may not be a good candidate for under-eye fillers.
