God created a unique face for everyone, yet with the rapid growth of the cosmetic surgery industry, more people are seeking ways to craft a different one. Given the significant risks of surgery, many opt for minimally invasive procedures instead. But are these treatments truly safe? What dangers lurk? Beware! Improper Botox injections can cause facial asymmetry. Let's explore the details below.
In recent years, minimally invasive procedures like injectable cosmetics have gained popularity due to their simplicity and quick results. In countries like the United States, non-surgical "micro-plastic surgery" now accounts for half of all cosmetic procedures. In China, the trend is also growing rapidly.However, experts caution that injectable treatments require careful consideration. Improper techniques or banned substances can transform micro-cosmetic procedures into dangerous ones. Cosmetic Surgery Carries Risks—Beauty Seekers Should Exercise Caution Case Study: Young Woman's Facial Filler Injection Leaves Her Looking Like an "Old Woman" 11 Years Later At a hospital's cosmetic surgery center, our reporter met Yu Lian, a 29-year-old from Lanzhou, Gansu.Yu Lian had always disliked her thin face, feeling it lacked appeal. In 2002, she underwent facial filler injections at a small clinic. After initial injections in her cheeks yielded satisfactory results, she proceeded with additional treatments targeting her temples and cheekbones. Over the course of a month, she received more than ten injections, finally achieving the plump, youthful appearance she desired.
However, years later in 2009, Yu Lian's face began to swell and her facial features started to deform. Suspecting it was related to the earlier injections, she underwent a simple extraction procedure at a hospital. But this didn't solve the problem; instead, her condition worsened. Now her entire face is deformed, her hair is falling out, and she looks like an old woman.In her quest to restore her face, Yu Lian visited numerous hospitals and underwent dozens of tests. The root cause of her facial swelling was finally identified: the use of the banned injectable material "Yingjierfale."
Warning 1: Never get cosmetic injections at beauty salons
Experts note that as early as 1999, China's National Medical Products Administration explicitly banned the sale and use of Yingjierfale. Yet over the years, prohibited substances like silicone oil, growth factors, and Omegding have remained rampant in the cosmetic surgery industry—particularly at small beauty salons or clinics.
Plastic surgery centers in hospitals routinely treat patients like Ms. Yu who have suffered disfigurement from banned injections. These patients share a common trait: they typically received injections at small beauty salons or clinics where costs are lower and practitioners' qualifications are unverifiable.
Experts emphasize that injectable cosmetic procedures constitute medical interventions and must be performed exclusively in licensed medical facilities by specially trained medical personnel. Beauty salons are prohibited from offering any form of injectable cosmetic treatments. For instance, botulinum toxin injections are absolutely not within the scope of any ordinary beautician. Typically, disfigurement incidents from injections occur predominantly in non-medical settings. Therefore, consumers seeking cosmetic enhancements are reminded: "Injectable cosmetic procedures are medical interventions and must only be performed in licensed medical facilities.Additionally, all fillers (hyaluronic acid, Botox, collagen, etc.) carry unique electronic identification numbers. Detailed records exist from production to final use, enabling full traceability for authenticity verification."
Experts emphasize that injectable cosmetic procedures typically involve significant costs. Seeking bargains increases the risk of encountering counterfeit or substandard products.For facial contouring—such as filling the cheekbones, nasolabial folds, tear troughs, or lips—hyaluronic acid injections are commonly used. However, multiple units may be required, with each unit costing between 5,000 and 6,000 yuan. This represents a significant expense for the average person. Consequently, some beauty salons offer "promotional deals," providing complimentary products for injection.In reality, these "cheap" hyaluronic acid products are likely adulterated solutions containing polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG). Injection of such substances can trigger severe complications. Some patients who received these products in their noses experienced inflammatory reactions, leading to infected, suppurating muscle tissue, nasal bone collapse, and the entire nose being "eroded away" by PAAG.
Warning 2: Injection cosmetics can disfigure if administered improperly
Currently, the most commonly used injectables in cosmetic clinics are botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid. The primary risks of injecting these substances stem from doctors' lack of clear understanding of anatomical structures, inaccurate identification of safe injection zones and layers, leading to complications.(1) Botulinum toxin misplaced—crooked eyes and eyebrows
Botulinum toxin wrinkle reduction, simply put, paralyzes muscles, eliminating wrinkles by preventing muscle contractions. If the doctor is unfamiliar with facial nerves and muscle anatomy, injects inaccurately, or uses excessive concentration or dosage, it can cause facial paralysis, leaving the face expressionless like a mask.
Additionally, some individuals notice drooping eyebrows after Botox injections targeting frown lines, which can also add years to their appearance. Improper dosage or injection points can easily distort the eyebrow and eye area.(2) Hyaluronic Acid Overdose — Causing Granulomas
Some women experienced explosive granuloma outbreaks across their entire faces after receiving large volumes of hyaluronic acid injections. Prominent red, swollen nodules appeared on their brows, cheeks, and chins, with some nodules nearing rupture, making their faces appear terrifying. Others developed granulomas and injection site redness after using hyaluronic acid to fill nasolabial folds.