Every cosmetic procedure carries risks. This page lists, for each treatment the clinic provides, the effects that are common and expected, the complications that are less common or rare but serious, what recovery usually involves, and what to avoid afterwards. Your practitioner will go through the parts that apply to you at your consultation, and you will be given written aftercare on the day. Read it before your appointment, not after, and bring your questions.
Recovery times below are typical, not promised. Some people take longer. If something does not match what you were told to expect, contact us.
Your safety is our highest priority
At BeautyFULL CMC, every cosmetic medical treatment begins with a comprehensive consultation. Before recommending any treatment, our medical practitioners carefully review your medical history, discuss your aesthetic goals, and explain the expected benefits, available alternatives, recovery expectations and potential risks — so you can make a fully informed decision.
Although cosmetic injectable and skin rejuvenation treatments are generally well tolerated when performed by appropriately trained medical professionals, every medical procedure carries some degree of risk. Most side effects are mild and temporary. Serious complications are uncommon or rare. The likelihood and severity of any side effect vary depending on your individual anatomy, medical history, treatment area and the product used. Your treating doctor or nurse will discuss the risks that are relevant to you during your consultation.
If you have any concerns following treatment, please contact our clinic promptly.
Further reading: AHPRA’s guide, Supporting a safe choice about cosmetic injectables, is a useful independent resource for anyone considering these treatments.
Many injectable and skin rejuvenation treatments can cause effects such as:
These effects are expected in most patients and usually resolve within several days, although some treatments may require a longer recovery period.
Most patients experience only mild redness or bruising. Possible side effects include:
These effects are generally temporary and improve over time (typically within days to a few weeks).
Most people return to normal activities the same day. For the first 4 hours, do not lie down flat or have anything press on your face, such as a massage face cradle. For 12 hours, do not touch the injection sites. For 24 hours, avoid massaging the area, strenuous exercise, saunas and spas, and alcohol. The effect develops gradually: a change is often noticed after about 3 days and is usually at its fullest around 14 days, and uneven movement can occur during that time. Contact us if your eyelid or eyebrow drops, or if you have trouble with vision, swallowing or breathing, which needs 000.
Following treatment you may experience:
Less commonly, infection, delayed inflammatory reactions or granulomas may occur. Skin discolouration or an abscess has also been reported.
Rare but serious complications include vascular occlusion (interruption of blood supply caused by compression of a blood vessel or direct intravascular injection). This can result in skin injury, tissue necrosis, scarring, vision impairment or blindness, or stroke if not recognised and treated promptly.
Emergency treatment protocols are in place, including the use of Hyaluronidase where clinically appropriate. By consenting to filler treatment, you also consent to being treated with Hyaluronidase should this become necessary.
Bruising and swelling can take up to 2 weeks to settle, and the treatment can take up to 4 weeks to settle fully, so do not judge it in the first few days and plan around important events. Avoid touching the area for 12 hours; strenuous exercise, saunas, spas and alcohol for 24 hours; AHA, retinol and vitamin C products and oil-based makeup for 24 hours; and facials, waxing, peels, IPL and other energy-based treatments for 2 weeks. Sleep on your back for the first few nights if you can. Avoid dental work for at least 2 weeks before and 4 weeks after, unless it is medically necessary. If you are travelling more than an hour away in the weeks after treatment, tell us before your appointment.
Skin turning pale, dusky, purple or grey, or any change in vision, is an emergency: call us immediately, and call 000 for any vision change.
Possible side effects include:
Although uncommon, allergic reactions — including severe reactions such as anaphylaxis — as well as compromised skin tissue and necrosis are recognised risks.
Recovery is usually straightforward. Side effects may include:
Rare complications include infection and scarring. You will be advised of the risks, expected benefits and alternative options — including the option of no treatment — before proceeding.
Patients commonly experience swelling, redness, tenderness, bruising, and temporary skin irregularities or puckering. These usually resolve spontaneously within several days to a couple of weeks.
Less common complications relating to the implant material (bioresorbable suture threads) include:
You may notice slight swelling and small visible bumps or papules on the treated area immediately after treatment. These typically subside within 24 hours, and most patients can resume normal daily activities the same day.
Effects may also include:
Infection is uncommon but remains a recognised risk following any injectable procedure. In rare cases it could lead to scarring — more likely if the treated area is picked at or aftercare instructions are not followed.
Small raised bumps at the injection points are expected and usually settle within 24 hours; redness and sensitivity can last 1 to 3 days and dryness several days. No makeup for 24 hours. Avoid exfoliation for 7 days, and saunas, spas, strenuous exercise and active skincare until the skin has settled. Use SPF 50+. Existing acne can flare briefly afterwards; do not pick it.
Common reactions (usually resolving within a few days to one week):
Less common complications include nodules, granulomas, infection or abscess, and prolonged swelling. Other reported reactions include numbness, facial nerve paralysis, skin discolouration, scarring, skin atrophy or hypertrophy, allergic reaction, and reactivation of latent herpes viral infections.
Nodules (small bumps under the skin) may appear within a few weeks of treatment, or may be delayed — occurring several months to over a year afterward. These occasionally resolve on their own, though some persist and may require further management or surgical excision.
Complications also include vascular compromise, skin necrosis, vision changes and stroke.
Temporary side effects include:
As with any needle inserted into the body, there is a small chance of injury to a muscle, blood vessel or nerve. PRP is injected only 1–2mm below the skin surface, making this risk extremely rare. Some patients experience dizziness or fainting related to anxiety about the procedure or blood collection. A topical anaesthetic may be used for numbing, and there is a small chance of sensitivity to this product.
Call 000, or go to your nearest emergency department, for any change in or loss of vision, difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face or throat, chest pain, or stroke-like symptoms such as facial drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech.
Contact the clinic straight away for:
Holland Park West: 07 3189 4457. Kingscliff: 02 6608 5575. Outside opening hours, or if you cannot reach us and you are worried, do not wait: see a GP, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222, or go to an emergency department, and tell them what treatment you had and when.
Your treatment will only proceed after a medical consultation. You are welcome to ask questions at any stage, and you always have the option not to proceed.
BeautyFULL CMC follows evidence-based cosmetic medical practice and provides ongoing support should you have any concerns following your treatment.
The complications listed above are illustrative examples and are not an exhaustive list of every possible risk. Each patient’s risk profile is unique, shaped by factors such as medical history, lifestyle and the specific treatment undertaken. These individual considerations will be discussed during your consultation.
This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. All risks relevant to your selected treatment and individual circumstances will be discussed during your consultation.
Yes. That is what this page is for. Your consultation then covers the ones relevant to you.
It depends on the treatment and on you. The recovery notes above give typical timeframes for each one. If you have an event, a flight or a job where bruising or swelling would matter, raise it at your consultation.
On our aftercare information page, and you will be given written aftercare on the day.