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Legal vs. illegal injectable fillers: The adverse effects comparison study
Onjuta Chayangsu1, Rungsima Wanitphakdeedecha1, Penvadee Pattanaprichakul1
1Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
|May 18, 2020
Summary
Illegal soft-tissue fillers administered by unlicensed practitioners lead to more severe and prolonged adverse effects compared to legal fillers. Proper training and product selection are crucial for patient safety in cosmetic procedures.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Public Health
Background:
- Soft-tissue filler injections are a common cosmetic procedure globally.
- An increasing demand has led to the use of illegal fillers by unlicensed practitioners, posing significant health risks.
- Complications from these procedures are a growing concern in aesthetic medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the adverse effects associated with legal versus illegal soft-tissue fillers.
- To evaluate the role of licensed versus unlicensed practitioners in filler-related complications.
- To analyze the types and duration of complications from different filler types and injectors.
Main Methods:
- A 10-year retrospective, descriptive study was conducted at Siriraj Hospital.
- Data from 40 patients with treatment-related complications were reviewed.
- Patient demographics, clinical history, and injection history were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Illegal fillers were used in 70% of cases, often administered by unlicensed practitioners (64.3%).
- Adverse effects were more frequent and lasted longer with illegal fillers (92.9% of cases, mean duration 10 weeks) compared to legal fillers (58.3% of cases, mean duration 0.75 weeks).
- Common complications from illegal fillers included foreign body reactions (78.6%) and infections (21.4%), while legal fillers were associated with vascular complications (41.7%).
Conclusions:
- The use of illegal soft-tissue fillers by unlicensed practitioners significantly increases the incidence and severity of adverse effects.
- Proper training for practitioners, careful selection of legal fillers, and prompt recognition of complications are essential for safe and effective cosmetic treatments.
- Patient safety necessitates stricter regulation and awareness regarding the risks associated with non-approved fillers and unqualified injectors.
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