RISKS & SAFETY OF COSMETIC INJECTIONS & NON-SURGICAL COSMETIC PROCEDURES
by Dr. Alex Fibishenko
As all cosmetic procedures carry risks, it is important to choose an expert who have the requisite training and experience to perform a cosmetic procedure as safely as possible.
There is plenty of information online about potential benefits of cosmetic treatments, but not many talk about the risks. Whilst a face-to-face discussion with an expert is the best way to balance your individual risks against any potential benefits, in this article we will share important information about some cosmetic procedures and their potential side effects to help improve your understanding.
The cosmetic procedures offered at FACELAB are administered by experienced and appropriately qualified clinicians.
Most patients are pleased with the results of their cosmetic procedures, however like any aesthetic procedure, there is no guarantee that you will be completely satisfied. No guarantees are made that wrinkles and folds will disappear completely, or that you will not require additional treatments to achieve the results you seek at an additional cost to you.
The duration of treatment results is also dependent on many factors including but not limited to: age, sex, tissue conditions, your general health, life style conditions, sun exposure and some activities.
There are certain inherent potential risks and side effects in any cosmetic or therapeutic procedure, which include but are not limited to:
- Post treatment discomfort, tenderness, swelling, redness, bruising, and/or discoloration;
- Post treatment bacterial, and/or fungal infection;
- Allergic reaction or reactivation of herpes (cold sores);
- Lumpiness, scarring, visible yellow or white patches or uneven appearance;
- Double vision;
- Nerve damage and/or numbness
There are also risks of the unknown or other uncommon complications, especially for an off-label use of any products.
ANTI WRINKLE INJECTIONS
An anti-wrinkle injection consists of a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium A. When injected into a muscle, the neurotoxin stops the muscle from contracting. By targeting specific muscles of the face and/or neck, the skin wrinkles associated with facial expressions such as frowning or squinting are reduced and often disappear altogether. The injections can also be used to target clenching muscles to help alleviate some forms of facial pain and/or associated headaches and/or damage to teeth and the Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ).
The active substance is diluted to a specifically controlled concentration and when injected into the muscle with a very thin needle it is not known to cause much pain. Occasionally, patients may feel a slight burning sensation while the solution is being injected. The procedure is quick and the results can last well beyond 3 months. With repeated treatments, the results may tend to last longer.
Risks and complications specific to Anti-wrinkle Injections:
The risks that are common to all cosmetic procedures described above also apply to anti-wrinkle injections, but there are also some specific risks that include unintended spread to adjacent muscles resulting in undesired temporary droopiness of lips or eyelids, weakened tear duct, flu-like symptoms, heaviness of the eyebrows, transient headache and localized numbness.
DERMAL FILLERS
Treatment with dermal fillers can smooth out facial folds and wrinkles, add volume to the lips, and contour facial features that have lost volume and fullness due to aging, sun exposure, illness, etc. These dermal fillers are injected under the skin or under the muscle with a very fine needle. This provides volume under wrinkles and folds that are lifted up and smoothed out. The results can often be seen immediately. The fillers will absorb water and soften in appearance over time. Most fillers used at this clinic can be dissolved when desired or where your expectations are not met. Dissolving of filler material may incur additional expenses.
Dermal fillers have been shown to be effective when compared to collagen skin implants and related products to fill in wrinkles, lines and folds in the skin on the face. Depending on the kind of filler used and the amount of movement in the treated area, the effect may last from 4 to 12 months and additional injections or other treatments may be required for the effect to continue. Filler material may also have long term benefits by improving collagen in the treated areas.
Risks and complications specific to Dermal Fillers:
The risks that are common to all cosmetic procedures described above also apply to dermal fillers, but there are also some specific risks that include lumpiness, granuloma formation, localised tissue necrosis and/or sloughing with or without scab, occlusion of a blood vessel, localised numbness, and/or blindness in extremely rare cases.
LIFTING THREADS & SMOOTH THREADS
Lifting threads are barbed threads that are inserted under the skin using a cannula. When the cannula is removed, the barbs engage the skin in tension and cause it to be pulled up or pulled back. Lifting threads can be used to lift sagging skin, jowls, and smooth out deep folds.
Smooth Threads are made of a similar material but do not have barbs. These are inserted under the skin with a canula to define or delineate lip lines, or to provide a scaffold and support to the skin to reduce wrinkles, dimples or atrophic scarring.
Depending on the kind of thread and the amount of movement in the treated area, the effect may last from 4 to 12 months and additional treatments may be required for the effect to continue. An important secondary benefit of threads is new collagen production (neocollagenesis), which has long term benefits to the appearance and health of the skin.
Risks and complications specific to Threads:
The risks that are common to all cosmetic procedures described below also apply to Lifting Threads, but there are also some specific risks that include lumps and bumps, small concavities, gathering of the skin at the point of insertion, exposure or perforation through the skin, and bleeding.
Our clinicians are required to undertake advanced training specifically in facial anatomy to minimise the specific risks associated with all the cosmetic or therapeutic procedures they offer.
FAT DISSOLVING INJECTIONS
Medicines to dissolve fat are available in various formulations. The medication is injected into fat deposits to destroy fat cells, leaving by-products that are then absorbed and removed by the body’s lymphatic drainage system. It is most commonly used to treat submental (under chin) fat in adults, and this is the only currently approved use in some countries. It may take 3 to 4 months to see the final results and typically 2 to 4 treatments are needed. Once fat cells are destroyed they do not regenerate, so the results are expected to be long-lasting, but this also depends on other factors such as diet, ageing and your individual body weight, composition and metabolism. Areas other than subcutaneous submental fat (under chin) are not approved for the use of this product as there is not enough research or conclusive evidence in relation to its effectiveness and/or risks.
Risks and complications specific to Fat Dissolving Injections:
The risks that are common to all cosmetic procedures described below also apply to Fat Dissolving Injections, but there are also some specific risks that include the following:
- Burning sensation and/or pain tenderness during or after treatment;
- Noodle-like appearance which might be seen or felt and may require further treatment;
- Severe bruising scarring or deep, painful knots under the skin
