When Do Mesotherapy Side Effects Become a Complication?
Mesotherapy side effects such as mild redness, swelling, tenderness and bruising can occur after treatment and may settle within a few days. However, severe swelling, worsening pain, signs of infection or symptoms of an allergic reaction may indicate a complication that requires medical attention.
If symptoms become worse rather than gradually improving, they should not simply be treated as part of normal recovery. The patient's suitability for treatment, the substances injected, the technique used and the standard of aftercare may all need to be considered.
For people who have experienced complications after mesotherapy, it can be difficult to know what is part of normal healing and what may have resulted from substandard treatment.
In this guide, the experts at Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors explain common mesotherapy side effects, the warning signs of complications and when poor care may amount to negligence.
What is mesotherapy treatment?
Mesotherapy is a non-surgical cosmetic treatment involving multiple injections into the skin using a fine needle or very fine needle. Depending on the purpose of treatment, the injected mixture may contain hyaluronic acid, vitamins, minerals, amino acids or other substances.
The procedure may be used for skin rejuvenation, skin texture, cellulite and body contouring. Scalp mesotherapy may also be marketed to treat hair loss or stimulate hair growth. The UK Government has included mesotherapy within proposals for licensing non-surgical cosmetic procedures: GOV.UK guidance on licensing non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
What are the most common mesotherapy side effects?
Common temporary side effects can include:
- Redness around the injection sites
- Mild mesotherapy swelling
- Mesotherapy bruising
- Tenderness or sensitivity
- Pinpoint bleeding
- Mild itching or inflammation
- Small bumps around the treated area
These reactions should generally become less noticeable as the skin recovers. Worsening symptoms need further assessment.
How long can mesotherapy bruising last?
Bruising can last for several days after treatment where small blood vessels are affected by a needle. Medication can influence bruising risk, so blood thinners and other medicines that affect bleeding should form part of the medical history review.
When do mesotherapy side effects become a complication?
A complication may need medical assessment when symptoms are severe, persist beyond the expected recovery period or become worse instead of better.
Warning signs can include:
- Severe or increasing swelling
- Persistent or worsening pain
- Spreading redness or heat
- Pus or unusual discharge
- Fever or feeling unwell
- A widespread rash or significant itching
- Breathing or swallowing difficulties
- Persistent hard lumps or nodules
- Unexpected skin colour changes or scarring
A complication does not by itself prove negligence. The cause and the standard of care provided must be considered.
Can mesotherapy cause an allergic reaction?
An allergic reaction is one of the potential risks of mesotherapy because products may contain hyaluronic acid, vitamins, minerals, amino acids or other ingredients.
A mild reaction may cause itching, redness or swelling. A more serious mesotherapy allergic reaction can require urgent treatment.
Before treatment, the practitioner should ask about allergies, previous reactions, medication and relevant medical history, and explain what substances will be injected.
What are the signs of a serious allergic reaction?
The NHS advises calling 999 where symptoms include sudden swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, tightness in the throat or difficulty swallowing: NHS guidance on anaphylaxis.
These symptoms require emergency medical attention and should not be managed by waiting for mesotherapy side effects to settle.
Can mesotherapy cause infection?
Infection is a potential complication of any procedure that breaks the skin. It is not, on its own, proof of negligence.
Possible signs include worsening redness, pain, heat, swelling, discharge or feeling unwell. The NHS advises urgent GP or NHS 111 help where skin becomes painful, hot and swollen: NHS guidance on cellulitis. Negligence may be relevant where infection is not recognised or acted on appropriately.
Can persistent lumps or nodules be a complication?
Small bumps may settle as inflammation reduces. Persistent nodules can be linked to inflammation, infection, a reaction to an injected substance or product pooling. Persistent or painful lumps should be medically assessed.
Patients may feel small pinpricks and tenderness during or after the mesotherapy procedure, and a topical numbing product may sometimes be used. Persistent or worsening pain should be assessed.
Who may not be suitable for mesotherapy?
A proper consultation should determine whether mesotherapy is suitable for the individual patient. Reasons to avoid or postpone treatment may include:
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active infection or significant inflammation
- Bleeding or clotting disorders
- Anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication
- Certain medical conditions, including some autoimmune conditions
- Recent surgery in the treatment area
The decision should be based on the patient's health, medication and medical history rather than an assumption that mesotherapy is suitable for most people.
Why does a suitability assessment matter?
A suitability assessment should consider medical history, allergies, medication, previous reactions and medical conditions. Failing to identify a clear contraindication may be important if avoidable harm later develops.
What should informed consent include?
Informed consent should involve more than asking the patient to sign a form. Before treatment, the practitioner should assess whether mesotherapy is suitable by reviewing the patient's medical history, allergies, current medication, previous reactions to injectable treatments and any medical conditions that could increase the risk of complications.
The practitioner should then explain:
- The potential risks and common side effects of mesotherapy
- Any risks that may be more relevant because of the patient's individual health or medical background
- The substances that will be injected and why they are being used
- The realistic results that can be expected from treatment
- The expected recovery period and aftercare requirements
- Reasonable alternative treatments, including the option of having no treatment
- What symptoms may indicate a complication and when medical attention should be sought
Patients should also have the opportunity to ask questions and consider the information before agreeing to proceed. A signed consent form alone does not prove that informed consent was properly obtained if the risks, alternatives or suitability of treatment were not properly discussed.
How can injection technique affect the risk of complications?
The depth, placement and amount injected can affect bruising, swelling and inflammation. Poor technique may contribute to avoidable injury, persistent nodules or unexpected scarring. Independent medical evidence is usually needed to establish whether the mesotherapy procedure fell below the expected standard.
What should you do after mesotherapy?
Following the correct aftercare can help the treated area recover and may reduce the risk of further irritation or complications. Patients should follow the post-care instructions provided by their practitioner, as advice may vary depending on the treatment area and substances used.
After mesotherapy, patients may be advised to:
- Avoid touching or rubbing the treated area for 24–48 hours
- Avoid washing the treated area for at least 24 hours, if this forms part of the practitioner's aftercare advice
- Avoid strenuous exercise for the recommended period
- Stay away from steam rooms, saunas and other sources of excessive heat while the skin is recovering
- Avoid retinoids, exfoliating acids and other irritating skincare products until the area has healed
- Keep the skin clean and follow any cleansing instructions provided
- Use appropriate sun protection on exposed treated areas
- Avoid facial massage unless this has been specifically recommended by the practitioner
- Contact the practitioner if redness, swelling, pain or other symptoms are becoming worse rather than improving
If symptoms suggest infection, a significant allergic reaction or another serious complication, patients should seek appropriate medical advice rather than relying only on the clinic's aftercare guidance.
When can mesotherapy complications amount to negligence?
Mesotherapy side effects and complications do not automatically mean negligence has occurred. A claim generally requires evidence that the practitioner breached their duty of care and that this caused avoidable harm.
Negligence may be relevant where there were failings before, during or after treatment, including:
Before treatment
- Failing to assess whether mesotherapy was suitable for the patient
- Failing to review relevant medical history, allergies, medication or medical conditions
- Failing to explain the potential risks and side effects of treatment
- Failing to discuss realistic outcomes and reasonable alternatives
During treatment
- Using an inappropriate injection technique
- Using unsuitable substances or products
- Performing the treatment below the expected professional standard
- Failing to adapt the treatment to the patient's individual needs or risk factors
After treatment
- Failing to provide clear aftercare instructions
- Failing to recognise signs of infection, severe swelling or persistent pain
- Failing to respond appropriately when complications are reported
- Failing to advise or arrange further medical care where necessary
Whether these failings amount to negligence will depend on the individual circumstances and the available medical evidence.
Read more about the legal test in our guide to how to prove clinical negligence.
What evidence should you keep if something has gone wrong?
Useful evidence includes:
- Dated photographs of the treated area
- Consultation and consent documents
- Treatment notes and details of substances injected
- Emails and messages with the provider
- Medical records relating to complications
- Receipts for medication, travel or corrective treatment
- A timeline showing how symptoms developed
Our guide to the steps involved in claiming compensation after cosmetic treatment goes wrong explains how evidence may support a claim.
How can Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors help?
If mesotherapy has caused avoidable harm because a practitioner failed to meet the expected standard of care, Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors can assess whether there may be grounds for a claim.
Our team can obtain records, review photographs and correspondence, arrange independent medical evidence and communicate with the practitioner, clinic or their representatives. The Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors claims process explains how claims are investigated. Our cosmetic surgery compensation guide explains how compensation may be assessed.
Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors has secured more than £10 million in compensation and achieves an approximate 95% success rate in cases pursued after supportive medical evidence is obtained.
If you are concerned that mesotherapy complications resulted from negligent treatment or aftercare, call 0161 877 1066 or complete our online enquiry form for a confidential discussion.
