Side effects after injections
Marks may remain visible after an injection. Swelling, redness, tenderness or bruising may appear. Their extent and duration vary according to the area treated and the individual reaction. These after-effects can be inconvenient when a session is scheduled before a business appointment, a ceremony or an event.
- Organising your schedule. Plan the session around your commitments and discuss the interval to allow before an important event. No interval guarantees the absence of visible marks.
- Instructions after treatment. Ask which precautions apply to your situation and how to contact the practice. Do not decide on your own to massage the area or use a treatment to correct an irregularity.
Temporary result and maintenance costs
Injectable hyaluronic acid is resorbable. If you wish to maintain the correction, maintenance sessions are considered after reassessment. This involves time, follow-up and an additional budget. Repeat treatment should not be automatic or based on an identical schedule for all patients.
Before the session, ask about the treatment price and whether the follow-up consultation is included. If a touch-up is being considered, check whether it entails an additional cost. If you wish to maintain the result over time, also allow for the cost of any further sessions. These points are detailed on the page devoted to hyaluronic acid injection prices and personalised quotations.
Excessive correction and an unsatisfactory result
The result of a hyaluronic acid injection may differ from what was imagined before the session. The result depends in particular on anatomy, tissue condition, the product and the volume used. A photograph found online is not a model that can be reproduced identically on another face.
- A correction that is too subtle. The change achieved may be less than you hoped for. The objective and limitations must be clarified before the procedure, without a promise of transformation.
- A volume considered excessive or poorly distributed. Overcorrection, asymmetry or irregularities may require an assessment. A new injection is not systematically the right response.
- An unsuitable indication. In these situations, the doctor may propose another approach and decide not to treat.
The limits of correcting an unsatisfactory result
The resorbable nature of hyaluronic acid does not mean that an unsatisfactory result will disappear quickly or can be corrected simply. Asymmetry, a volume considered excessive or an irregularity first require a medical assessment to determine their cause. Management depends on the problem identified, the product used and the time elapsed since the injection. It may require monitoring or appropriate treatment, with its own limitations and risks. An injection should therefore not be considered a procedure that can be undone whenever desired.
Inflammatory and vascular complications
Complications differ from the usual local after-effects. They may require treatment and should not be considered systematically temporary or easy to correct.
- Inflammatory reactions and nodules. Persistent swelling or nodules may appear, sometimes some time after the session. An infection may also occur. A medical examination is necessary to determine the cause ; a lump under the skin is not enough, on its own, to establish a diagnosis.
- Vascular complications. An accidental injection into a blood vessel can interrupt the blood supply to tissues and cause necrosis. Visual disturbances, potentially leading to loss of sight, are also possible. These complications require urgent care.
Unusual pain, skin that turns white or develops abnormal discolouration, or a visual disturbance during or after the injection require immediate medical care. Do not wait for a follow-up appointment to report these symptoms.
Complications are detailed in the guide to the risks of hyaluronic acid injections. Reactions that develop some time after treatment are discussed on the page about delayed side effects.
Dissatisfaction and unrealistic expectations
A treatment can be technically satisfactory without matching the result the person hoped to achieve. Retouched photographs, comparison with another face or the expectation of a life change can create a gap with what an injection can offer. Persistent dissatisfaction deserves discussion rather than multiplying touch-ups without reassessment.
The NHS advice before a cosmetic procedure encourages reflection on the reasons for treatment and its possible consequences for well-being. Wanting to repeat an injection does not, on its own, constitute dependence. However, an overwhelming preoccupation with one’s appearance warrants discussion with a healthcare professional specialising in this field before continuing aesthetic procedures.
Contraindications and particular situations
The consultation should identify situations in which an injection needs to be adapted, postponed or ruled out. Precautions depend on the product, the area and your medical history.
- A local infection or inflammation.
- Allergies and current treatments. Mention any severe allergic reaction, a reaction to a previous injectable product or a local anaesthetic, as well as your medication. Do not stop taking it on your own initiative.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding. The safety of fillers has not been established in these situations.
- Illnesses and previous injections. In particular, report an autoimmune disease, immunosuppressive treatment or a filler already injected.
How can the risks associated with hyaluronic acid injections be reduced ?
Risk reduction relies on a prior medical assessment, choosing a professional authorised and trained to perform injections, and using a compliant and traceable product.
Before the session, report your illnesses, allergies, treatments and previous injections. Do not stop any medication without medical advice.
Before consenting to treatment, ask for explanations about the product, expected benefits, limitations and possible complications.
After the injection, follow the personalised instructions and make sure you know who to contact if there is a problem.
If a warning sign occurs, particularly unusual pain, an abnormal change in skin colour or a visual disturbance, seek medical care immediately.
