Botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers and their use in medical aesthetics have seen exponential growth patterns over the past three decades. They are the foundation of treatment in medical aesthetic practices today. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increasing emergence of both post COVID-19 infection- and vaccination-related adverse events issues following their use.
Several cases of acute and subacute hypersensitivity reactions that have developed complications following botulinum toxin type A treatment have been reported in patients who have had previous COVID-19 vaccinations or a recent COVID-19 infection. The subacute progressive nature of the allergic reaction post botulinum toxin type A has been seen to be variable in severity, with the most severe form being anaphylaxis in one case.
Zhang et al (2020) described a number of cases, including facial swelling and lip angioedema, occurring several days post-vaccination. Similar results were observed by Shome et al (2021), with perioral swelling developing 4 weeks post COVID-19 infection. Importantly, in the aforementioned case, the patient had been treated with HA fillers to the face. Additional examples of regional oedema, nodules, induration, facial erythema and tenderness have been observed in patients who have had previous HA injectables to the nose and face. In several case reports, the impact of the dermal filler has not been restricted to regional changes, but more widespread changes. These include swelling and burning in the lip, cheek and tear
Source – https://www.aestheticnursing.co.uk/content/editorial/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-aesthetic-practice-now-and-in-the-future