Should Injectors Use Needles vs Cannula for Dermal Fillers Injections?

There are two primary injecting instruments used for Dermal Filler injections for facial rejuvenation. These are BLUNT TIP CANNULAE vs NEEDLES. So is there an advantage of using cannula vs needles for cosmetic injections and dermal fillers? The data shows that the instrument can, in fact, have an impact on your injecting risks and dermal filler results. However, some clinicians swear by the needle method and others by the cannula. Indeed, it’s very much a matter of personal preference and experience with injecting modalities. The skill of your Injecting Clinician or Injecting Physician is paramount for minimising risks and also for getting good results; more so than the type of equipment used. That’s why it’s so important to choose your cosmetic injecting clinician or doctor very carefully. But there are some pros and cons to using blunt-tip cannula vs needles for dermal filler injections.

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Differences in injecting with blunt-tip cannula vs needles for Dermal Fillers and Cosmetic Injections

Cosmetic Injectors who prefer sharp needles vs cannulae for Dermal Fillers indicate they prefer needles because they:

feel needles can offer more precise solution/droplet amounts or locations (other Clinicians and dermal filler studies suggest CANNULAE may offer more precision placement in certain tissue layers)
can penetrate different dermal layers more readily including close to the bone for deeply-placed dermal filler near the skeletal structures (think CHEEK Augmentation)
may also be able to put filler precisely where they intend

Risks or complications from needles vs cannula injecting methods may include

needles are sharper than cannulae – much sharper – hence they increase the risk of penetrating a vein/going too deep during cosmetic injections (known as intravascular injection risks and these can lead to blindness and/or fatality)
bruising may be more pronounced after dermal fillers when needles are used vs cannulae

Injectors who prefer cannulas vs needles for cosmetic injections/dermal fillers indicate this method is preferred because:

Cannulae are usually longer and some clinicians find them more useful with certain dermal filler injecting strategies.
A blunt-tip cannula is different to a very sharply-pointed needle – it is less likely to penetrate a vein.
- Even for cannula insertion of dermal fillers, a sharp needle is FIRST used to make an entry point for the cannula to be inserted, but only to make an very small cannula insertion ‘hole.’
- The needle is then set aside and a cannula is used through the insertion points – which are micro-sized holes in the skin – to deliver the dermal filler solutions.
With cannula dermal filler delivery methods, the cannula can be used at the same entry point (injection point) several times to reach other areas where filler is being placed.
- This also means fewer areas of skin penetration/potentially less bruising.
Intravascular injection risks – a blunt tip cannula will often “push” veins or arteries aside when they are passed through the tissues; contrasted to a needle that likely penetrates layers rather than moving them aside.
Many clinicians also say they like being able to feel the resistance from the underlying dermal structures when using a cannula – whereas a needle can penetrate/bypasses layers where the clinician actually wants to place the dermal filler solution.

Risks or complications from cannula injecting methods may include

Not all fillers can be readily injected using a cannula vs a needle: more viscous fillers may also require a needle
Some practitioners claim they have LESS filler placement precision using cannula.
- But it really depends on their instrument of choice and level of experience with a needle vs cannula and their injecting style
- The number of times they have used each injecting instrument and the number of patients they have successfully or unsuccessfully treated with each method may be another factor.
Deeper-level dermal filler placement may be less readily achievable with a cannula.

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References/Medical Research Articles relating to Cannula vs Needles for Dermal Filler Injections

The Coco Ruby Skin and Anti-Ageing Team

To arrange a confidential injecting consultation with our highly experienced Injectors or Dermal Clinicians please send an Email or Phone 1300 599 990 to arrange an appointment.

Sandra Wallace. Senior Injecting Nurse

Sandra is a registered Division 1 nurse with over 20 years of experience in injectables and dermal fillers and non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments. Sandra has a long history of supporting Dr Rubinstein and other Plastic Surgeons and Facelift Surgeons to help patients receive a full-face rejuvenation effect, using anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers. Sandra has a long list of loyal clients and works closely with our Surgeons who perform Facial Rejuvenation Surgery, to get a natural-looking, long-lasting result.

Jessie Anderson. Injecting Nurse / Dermal Clinician

Jess holds a current AHPRA registration, has a friendly, warm, and approachable personality with outstanding knowledge in analyzing a variety of skin concerns. This enables the best possible in-clinic treatment plans and homecare advice for each individual client. With 11 years of industry experience (aesthetic/cosmetic/medical) and a patient-first approach, Jess is extremely passionate and enthusiastic within the cosmetic aesthetics industry. Her strong belief in a holistic approach to client care means she can empathize and understand clients’ needs.

Peta Danvers – BHSc (DT). Senior Dermal Clinician

Peta joined our Melbourne-based Coco Ruby Skin and Anti-Ageing team in 2020, bringing her expertise in skincare and light-based treatments, skin peels, laser treatments and other modalities to help people overcome their common skin complaints. She works alongside some of Melbourne’s most highly regarded Plastic Surgeons using her extensive experience in skincare and beauty treatments as well as cosmeceutical skincare products training.

What Next?

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Using Blunt Tip Cannula vs Needles for Cosmetic Injections