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Complications associated with needle-based medical aesthetic procedures: clinical and medico-legal aspects from the Polish perspective

Katarzyna Beutler1, Szymon Rzepczyk1, Bartosz Bijata1, Jędrzej Lewandowski1, Beata Bożek1, Paweł Świderski1

Abstract

Aesthetic medicine is a rapidly developing branch of modern medicine. Its main procedures include needle-based procedures such as mesotherapy, botulinum toxin injections and filler injections. Each of them may result in unwanted complications. In the case of mesotherapy, the complications are usually local, while in the case of the usage of botulinum toxin, there have been reports of deaths, whereas filler injections have been reported to cause stroke and loss of vision. It is of the highest importance for the professional to properly prepare for the procedure. In Poland, there is no such thing as a specialization in aesthetic medicine. The lack of precise regulations contributes to an increased number of complications caused by people without appropriate qualifications and offences defined in law as damage to health. It is especially important in cases when the procedure is carried out by people, who are underqualified and do not have appropriate permissions.

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