A systematic review on COVID‐19 vaccination and cosmetic filler reactions: A focus on case studies and original articles

Abstract

Background Tissue fillers are among the most popular cosmetic procedures performed and notably, cases of filler reactions after COVID‐19 vaccination have been reported. Objective The objective was to determine the characteristics of patients with filler reaction after COVID‐19 vaccination and address several considerations that have to be taken into practice. Methods A PRISMA compliant systematic search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed/MEDLINE databases for articles published from inception up to October 21, 2021. Results Out of 106 initially retrieved articles, four of them were included in our study, and a total number of 13 cases were analyzed. In this study, we found that all of the patients who developed delayed‐type reaction (DTR) following COVID‐19 vaccination were middle‐aged women without any known history of allergy to foods or drugs. All patients had a history of hyaluronic acid (HA) filler injection in their head and neck and demonstrated symptoms particularly swelling, from <1 day up to 10 days after the first or second doses of vaccines. Lisinopril, hyaluronidase, and corticosteroids seemed to have good results in management. Conclusion Although rare, DTR to fillers after COVID‐19 vaccination can happen. Physicians should be aware of the pathogenesis and management of this phenomenon.

The COVID‐19 pandemic and its impact on esthetic dermatology

“…The ones with more viscosity and durability are more susceptible to develop inflammatory reactions. 6 …”

“…However, these so‐called adverse events have been reported even after 1 year of esthetic procedure. 6 , 50 These adverse events may increase the hesitancy to get vaccinated against SARS‐CoV‐2; therefore, a dermatologist and an infectionist consultation is mandatory to assure the population of the temporary and self‐limiting characteristic of these reactions and that these adverse events should never ban them from getting the second vaccine dose. The main strategy to prevent such reactions is to space enough time between vaccination and the planned dermatologic procedures; there is no consensus on the time span of safety; however, at least 3–4 weeks seems to be reasonable, with longer lag for those with a previous history of sensitivity to tissue fillers or those with autoimmune disorders or on immunosuppressive agents.…”

“…Most of the vaccine‐induced reactions in previously cosmetically manipulated areas are tardive reactions, which take place with delay, usually within 10 days after vaccination. However, these so‐called adverse events have been reported even after 1 year of esthetic procedure 6,50 . These adverse events may increase the hesitancy to get vaccinated against SARS‐CoV‐2; therefore, a dermatologist and an infectionist consultation is mandatory to assure the population of the temporary and self‐limiting characteristic of these reactions and that these adverse events should never ban them from getting the second vaccine dose.…”

“… 4 , 5 On the other hand, the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and associated vaccines have given rise to several dermatologic reactions in those individuals previously undergone cosmetic surgery or esthetic interventions. 6 , 7 , 8 Moreover, demand for improving physical and mental self‐acceptance usually increases after any disaster or crisis and COVID‐19 is not an exception. 9 It should be speculated that timely esthetic procedures such as botulinum toxin injections can affect the quality of life of people, thereby being a psychological support in coronavirus days, when mental health may be disturbed.…”

COVID‐19 vaccines and filler reactions: Should it be considered as a concern?

“…On the contrary, SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and its associated vaccine can be triggers for allergic and inflammatory reactions in previously treated areas of the body, especially filler injected sites 3–6 . With the global vaccination program against COVID‐19, the reports of tissue filler reactions would be increasingly demonstrated 7,8 …”