Risks & Recovery

Treatments to reduce the appearance of wrinkles involve prescription-only medicines used to temporarily reduce muscle activity in the area treated. They are regulated under the Therapeutic Goods Act and may only be prescribed by a registered medical practitioner following a consultation.

Common side effects

• Temporary redness, bruising, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site
• Mild headache in the first 24–48 hours
• Asymmetry or uneven results
• Temporary heaviness or tightness of the treated area

Less common but more serious risks

• Eyelid drooping (ptosis) or eyebrow drop, which can last several weeks
• Double or blurred vision
• Difficulty swallowing, breathing, or speaking (rare)
• Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis (rare)
• Infection at the injection site
• Spread of toxin effects beyond the treatment area

Recovery experience and lifestyle

• Avoid rubbing, massaging, or applying pressure to the treated area for 24 hours
• Avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, and excessive heat (saunas, hot showers, sun exposure) for 24 hours
• Stay upright for at least 4 hours after treatment
• Bruising, if it occurs, can take 7–14 days to resolve

Timeframes

• Onset of effect: typically 3–14 days after injection
• Duration of effect: approximately 3–4 months for most patients
• Maintenance: repeat treatments are required to maintain results, typically every 3–4 months

Facial-volume treatments involve injectable products administered into selected areas of the face to add volume. The products used are subject to TGA regulation as medical devices or therapeutic goods, and treatment is provided following a consultation with a registered practitioner.

Common side effects

• Redness, swelling, bruising, or tenderness at the injection site
• Lumps or palpable irregularities under the skin, which usually settle
• Asymmetry or over- or under-correction
• Temporary itching

Less common but more serious risks

• Vascular occlusion — filler entering or compressing a blood vessel, which can cause tissue death (necrosis), scarring, or, rarely, blindness or stroke. This is a medical emergency.
• Infection, including delayed-onset infection weeks or months later
• Granulomas (chronic inflammatory lumps), which may require treatment to resolve
• Allergic or hypersensitivity reactions
• Nodules or product migration
• Nerve injury

Recovery experience and lifestyle

• Avoid touching, massaging, or applying make-up to the area for 24 hours
• Avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, and excessive heat for 24–48 hours
• Bruising and swelling typically peak at 24–72 hours and can take 1–2 weeks to fully settle
• Avoid dental work, facials, or other facial treatments for at least 2 weeks
• Report any severe pain, blanching, mottled skin discoloration, or vision changes immediately — these can indicate a vascular complication

Timeframes

• Onset of effect: immediate volume effect, with final settled results typically visible within 1–2 weeks
• Duration of effect: approximately 6–18 months, depending on the product, area treated, and individual factors
• Maintenance: follow-up treatments are usually required to retain results

Skin texture and hydration treatments involve injectable products administered by a registered practitioner following a consultation. The products used are subject to TGA regulation.

Common side effects

• Redness, swelling, or tenderness at injection sites
• Small bumps or lumps that typically resolve within 24–48 hours
• Bruising
• Mild itching

Less common but more serious risks

• Infection at injection sites
• Allergic or hypersensitivity reactions
• Persistent nodules
• Vascular complications (rare with these products, but possible)

Recovery experience and lifestyle

• Avoid make-up on the treated area for the rest of the day
• Avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, and excessive heat for 24 hours
• Small bumps at injection sites typically resolve within 24–48 hours

Timeframes

• Onset of effect: visible improvements typically develop over several weeks following the initial treatment course
• Duration of effect: several months, depending on the product and individual factors
• Maintenance: ongoing treatment courses are usually required to maintain results

Who should not have these procedures

• Pregnant or breastfeeding patients
• Patients with active skin infection at the proposed treatment site
• Patients with known allergy to any component of the product
• Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders (for wrinkle-reduction treatments)
• Patients on certain medications — discuss your medication list with your practitioner before booking

Outcomes vary

Individual results vary between patients depending on anatomy, age, lifestyle, the product used, and other factors. The outcomes one patient experiences do not necessarily reflect what another patient may experience. Photographs or descriptions of prior results are not a guarantee of your individual outcome.

What to do if something goes wrong

Contact your treating practitioner immediately if you experience any of the following after a procedure: severe or worsening pain, skin blanching or mottling, vision changes, severe headache, difficulty breathing or swallowing, signs of infection (spreading redness, warmth, fever), or any other symptom that concerns you. For after-hours emergencies, attend your nearest hospital emergency department.

Cooling-off and consent

For higher-risk cosmetic procedures, a written consent process and a cooling-off period apply in line with the National Boards’ guidelines. Your practitioner will discuss this with you at consultation.