Complaints on Side Effects of Petit Plastic Surgery

- Careful Consideration is Needed after Checking Precautions and Possible Side Effects -

    Amid growing public interest in cosmetic surgery, the relevant industry continues to expand even further. In particular, Petit Plastic Surgery*, which is proceeded only with injections, is under the spotlight currently due to its advantage of a fast return to normal life and less anxiety over invasive surgery and anesthesia. Yet post-procedure side effects are quite common, requiring caution by consumers.

    * The term “Petit Plastic Surgery” combines the French word “small,” or “little” along with plastic surgery. It refers to all procedures of using injections of Botox or fillers etc. to achieve the results of esthetic plastic surgery.

    The number of counseling for side effects following Botox or filler procedures registered through the 1372 Consumer Counseling Center reaches an annual average of 415 cases (393 cases in 2013, 432 cases in 2014, and 420 cases in 2015). In particular, counseling consumer complaints on filler procedure increases every year.

     The side effects accounted for the greatest percentage (61.6%) with 767 cases, with insufficient effects (14.6% or 182 cases), and refusal to refund, and termination of contract (12.7% or 158cases).

    By procedure type, among the 767 cases for consumer complaints on side effects, filler procedure accounted for 524 cases while Botox procedures accounted for 243 cases.

    Upon analysis of the 524 cases of counseling related to side effects following the filler procedure, inflammations (16.8% or 88cases) and edema(12.4% or 65cases) accounted for the most, followed by uneven skin surface over the treated area(9.4% or 49cases), asymmetry(7.6% or 40cases), skin necrosis(7.4% or 39cases), nodule formation (6.9% or 36cases), scarring (6.5% or 34cases), bruising (5.2% or 27cases), pigmentation (5.0% or 26cases), and pain (5.0% or 26cases).

    Consumer complaints on side effects of post-Botox procedure, among the total 243 reported via the 1372 hotline, Ptosis (drooping eyelid) with (22.2% or 54cases) and facial paralysis at (16.9% or 41cases) accounted for the greatest percentage, followed by edema (13.6% 33cases), inflammations (8.6% or 21cases), bruising (6.2% or 15cases), asymmetry (5.8% or 14cases), sinking of nearby skin (4.1% or 10cases) and headaches (pain) (3.7% or 9cases).

    In order to prevent side effects of petit plastic surgery, the KCA recommends the following: 1. Undergo counseling and cosmetic procedures with an experienced surgeon; 2. notify the surgeon of pre-existing conditions, allergies, surgical history, and medications currently being taken before the procedure ; 3. request detailed explanations on possible complications (skin necrosis, loss of eyesight etc.) in addition to the types/dosage/licence of the product to be used in the procedure; and 4. In the case of abnormal symptoms after surgery, immediately inform the hospital to receive suitable treatment and secure photographs and medical records, etc., in order to get assistance when medical disputes arise.