What are the potential risks of cosmetic injections?

Cosmetic injections are serious medical procedures that involve injecting a substance under the skin to change an aspect of appearance. For example, reducing the appearance of wrinkles or lines on the face, or putting filler into the lips to make them fuller. If used incorrectly, the substances in these injections could cause skin damage, blindness or even death (Therapeutic Goods Administration)5.

 Higher risk cosmetic procedures may require the use of a prescription-only medication, significant alteration of bodily structures, involve the injection of medicines and/or products into and under the skin and may involve penetration of the deeper dermis by chemicals, lights, lasers, heat or cold. The minimum age for cosmetic procedures at Society Cosmetic and Skin Clinic is 18 years old.

Cosmetic injectables such as lip filler and Botox come with potential risks and side affects.

Potential risks and side affects

  • Botulinum toxin type A

    redness

    swelling at the injection site

    bruising

    skin tightness

    drooping of the eyelids

    headache

    face pain

    muscle weakness

    numbness or a feeling of pins and needles

    nausea, and/or

    blurred vision.

  • Dermal fillers

    bruising

    swelling and redness at the site where you were injected

    itching

    skin discolouration

    vascular occlusion (blocked blood vessel which causes skin tissue death)

    permanent blindness

    double vision

    stroke

    bleeding

    infection (bacterial or viral)

    ulceration of the skin where you were injected

    lumps (nodules) forming under the skin

    allergic reaction

    inflammatory reactions

    haematoma (a collection of blood under the skin or in the deeper tissues)

    permanent disfigurement and scarring as a result of one of the above, and/or

    weakness of the muscles of the face, head and neck, which can cause difficulty swallowing or speaking.