Self-injectable face fillers can pose risk

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DALLAS, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Those seeking to face the New Year looking younger through self-injectable facial fillers sold online should use caution, a U.S. plastic surgeon says.

Dr. Jeffrey Kenkel, vice chairman of plastic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, says improper injection techniques or locations can lead to injection-site infections, droopy eyelids and filler material spreading to unwanted places on the face, among other side-effects.

"It is critical to seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist to ensure that the material being injected is authentic, that the proper amount is being injected and that fillers are injected in the proper location to avoid unwanted consequences," Kenkel says in a statement. "It ends up being far more expensive and problematic to fix complications when something goes wrong. There are so many options -- from skin care to laser treatments to injectable regimes that will give you the appearance you want safely and cost-effectively."

There's no good reason to risk one's health on unknown and potentially dangerous options, Kenkel said.