What are the potential risks of cosmetic treatments?

‘Cosmetic injections are medical procedures that involve injecting a substance under your skin to change an aspect of your appearance. For example, reducing the appearance of wrinkles or wrinkles on your face, or putting’ a substance ‘into your lips to make them fuller. If used incorrectly, the substances in these injections could cause skin damage, blindness or even death.” (Therapeutic Goods Administration, 2019).

 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 (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency AHPRA, 2025)

The minimum age for cosmetic procedures at Society Cosmetic and Skin Clinic is 18 years old.

‘Every cosmetic procedure or surgery carries risk’ (AHPRA, 2025). ‘It’s important that you think carefully about your decision every time’ (AHPRA, 2025).

Following your consultation the Registered Nurse will go through the risk and side affects of treatments.

Things to consider before undergoing procedures involving dermal fillers

Cosmetic injections – tips to help you make an informed decision

Supporting a safe choice about cosmetic injectables

References

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. (2024, April 30). Thinking about cosmetic injectables. https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Cosmetic-surgery-hub/Information-for-the-public/Thinking-about-cosmetic-injectables.aspx

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. (2025, September 2). Guidelines for advertising higher risk non-surgical cosmetic procedures. https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Cosmetic-surgery-hub/Cosmetic-procedure-advertising-guidelines.aspx

Therapeutic Goods Administration. (2019, August 22). Cosmetic injections. Australian Government Department of Health. https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/explore-topic/cosmetics/cosmetic-injectionsAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. (2025, September 2). Guidelines for advertising higher risk non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

Potential risks and side affects

(AHPRA, 2024)

  • Treatments

    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.

  • Volume treatments

    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.

  • Skin needling

    erythema

    discomfort in the treated area

    increased sun sensitivity

    infection

    post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

    scarring

    prolonged irritation or inflammation

    factors that may increase risk:

    procedures performed outside of appropriate clinical settings (TGA, 2019)

    outcomes can vary between individuals and may not be comparable to other treatment options (Shen et al., 2022; Sitohang et al., 2021)

    individual response is influenced by factors such as skin type, condition severity, and overall skin health

    results cannot be guaranteed

    not all individuals are suitable candidates for treatment

    a consultation with a qualified health practitioner is required to assess appropriateness

    minimum age for all cosmetic procedures at Society Cosmetic and Skin Clinic is 18 years old.

  • Rejuran

    erythema at injection site

    swelling

    bruising or pinpoint bleeding

    tenderness or mild discomfort

    small raised bumps or lumps at injection sites (usually temporary)

    itching, tightness, or irritation

    Less common side effects:

    persistent swelling or redness

    skin discolouration (e.g. post-inflammatory pigmentation)

    prolonged tenderness or pain

    nodules or uneven skin texture

Link to side affects