What Should You Do If a Complication Occurs after an Aesthetic Treatment? A Step-by-Step Guide

What should you do first if a complication occurs after an aesthetic treatment?

Most medical aesthetic treatments go smoothly; however, although uncommon, a complication (an unwanted outcome or side effect) can develop. In that case, the most important thing is to assess correctly how urgent the symptom is and not to lose time. With some complications, minutes and hours matter; with others, calm but regular monitoring is enough.

The steps below offer a general roadmap, whatever procedure you have had. For procedure-specific symptoms, see the relevant pages; for example “After Fillers: When Is It an Emergency?” for circulation problems after filler, “Infection after Aesthetic Treatments” for infection and “Allergic Reactions in Aesthetic Treatments” for allergy.

Step by step: what should you do when you suspect a complication?

1. Decide whether it is an emergency. If you have any of the symptoms in the red box below, call 112 without waiting for any other step.
2. If it is not an emergency, call the physician or clinic that performed the treatment immediately. Clearly describe your symptoms, when they started, and the date and area of the procedure.
3. If you cannot reach the physician within a reasonable time, go to the nearest emergency department or see another physician. Say which procedure you had, when and, if possible, with which product.
4. Document: take dated photos of the area; keep the product information, the batch number, the product sticker, and the procedure and payment documents; note how the symptoms develop.
5. Request your records: ask for a copy of your procedure record, the information on the product used and the consent form you signed.
6. Get a second opinion if necessary: if your complaint does not go away or you do not feel reassured, see another physician experienced in the relevant field and take your records with you.
7. If the problem is not resolved, consider the ways to make a complaint: first to the facility, if necessary to the health authorities; for a product-related problem, report it to the relevant authority.

Step 1: When is it an emergency? Symptoms that require 112

Some skin symptoms, such as discolouration after filler, should be assessed immediately by the physician rather than in the emergency department; however, if you cannot reach the physician quickly, go to the emergency department rather than wait. If you are not sure, call; an unnecessary phone call is always better than a delayed intervention.

Steps 2 and 3: What should you do if you cannot reach your physician?

Ideally, before the procedure you should find out how you can reach your physician at night and at the weekend if there is a problem. If you still cannot reach them, do not hesitate to go to the emergency department. So that the physician in the emergency department can make the right decision, describe the procedure you had in detail, without holding anything back.

• Which procedure was done: filler, botulinum toxin (commonly called “botox”), laser, peel, threads, mesotherapy, etc.?
• When, and on which area of the face or body, was it done?
• If you know, which type of product was used (for example, whether the filler is hyaluronic acid)?
• When did the symptoms start, and how have they changed?
• Which medicines do you take, and what allergies and chronic conditions do you have?

Step 4: Which records should you keep? Why are photos and the batch number important?

Good records make it easier for the physician treating you to make the right decision and are also the most important document you have if an assessment is needed later. Try to take photos every day in the same light and from the same angle, with the date.

• Dated photos and, if necessary, short videos of the area
• The product box, the product sticker (an adhesive label given to the patient with some products) and the batch number
• The date and time of the procedure and the areas treated
• The informed consent form and the aftercare instructions you were given
• The invoice or payment receipt, appointment and correspondence records
• Short notes showing how the symptoms develop, your temperature and the treatments you receive

The batch (lot) number shows which production batch the product came from. If there is a side effect or a product-related safety warning, it allows the product used on you to be traced.

Step 5: Can you request your medical records?

Patients generally have the right to access their health records and to request a copy of them. You can ask the facility that performed the procedure for a copy of your procedure record, the information on the product used and the consent form. Making your request in writing can be useful to show later what you asked for and when.

If your records include the name and amount of the product used, the areas treated and the date, a physician you see later can make a faster and more accurate decision. Keep your records, on paper or digitally, in an organised file.

Step 6: When should you get a second opinion?

If your complaint does not go away within the expected time, the explanation you have been given does not reassure you, or you are not sure about the treatment recommendation, getting a second opinion from another physician is a reasonable step. This does not have to mean a lack of trust in the first physician; in complex situations, a different perspective can help.

For a second opinion, choose a physician experienced in the relevant field who can manage the complications of the procedure. Take your photos and records with you. On who can perform the procedure and how to choose a physician, the page “Who Can Perform Medical Aesthetic Treatments” can guide you.

Step 7: Where can you make a complaint or report a problem in Turkey?

Talking about the problem directly with the facility that performed the procedure is often the quickest route. Hospitals and many healthcare facilities have patient rights or patient relations units. If the problem is not resolved, you can contact the public authorities that supervise healthcare services.

• The healthcare facility that performed the procedure: the facility’s management or, if there is one, the patient rights unit.
• The İl Sağlık Müdürlüğü (Provincial Health Directorate) of the province where you are: for applications related to the supervision of healthcare facilities.
• The Ministry of Health Communication Centre (Sağlık Bakanlığı İletişim Merkezi, SABİM), line 184: for requests, suggestions and complaints about healthcare services.
• Product-related problems (suspected side effects, suspected counterfeit or substandard products): the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (Türkiye İlaç ve Tıbbi Cihaz Kurumu, TİTCK). Suspected side effects of medicines can also be reported by patients to the Turkish Pharmacovigilance Centre (TÜFAM), which is part of TİTCK.
• Treatments carried out outside healthcare facilities by unauthorised people: can be reported through the İl Sağlık Müdürlüğü or SABİM.

This section provides general information and is not legal advice. Complaint channels and procedures can change over time; check the official sources of the relevant authorities for up-to-date information. You can get information on your legal rights from a lawyer.

For details on products of unknown origin and treatments outside healthcare facilities, see the page “Counterfeit Products and Unlicensed Treatments”.

What can your physician do?

Your physician will first examine you to try to understand the cause of the problem. Depending on the type of complication, monitoring alone, treatment of the area, medication, the filler-dissolving enzyme hyaluronidase if necessary for hyaluronic acid fillers, taking a sample in the case of infection, or referral to the relevant specialty may be considered. With vision or nervous system symptoms, rapid referral to hospital is essential.

Some complications resolve quickly, while others may require follow-up lasting weeks or months. Ask your physician to explain clearly what caused your condition, the expected course and the symptoms for which you should come back.

A complication can also be emotionally difficult

Having a problem after a procedure you had to improve your appearance can lead to anxiety, embarrassment, anger or sadness. These feelings are understandable and common. Instead of blaming yourself, focusing on following the steps one by one makes the process more manageable.

Taking someone you trust with you to your appointment, writing down your questions in advance and noting the answers you receive can help. If anxiety, sleep problems or constant preoccupation with your appearance last a long time, talk to your physician about this too; if necessary, getting mental health support can be part of the recovery process.

Although reading about other people’s experiences on social media can sometimes be supportive, comparing your own situation directly with theirs can be misleading. Every complication develops differently depending on the person, the procedure and the product.

What should you not do after a complication?

• Do not wait for it to pass; especially with discolouration, vision problems or shortness of breath, time is very important.
• Do not start antibiotics, steroids or any other prescription medicine on your own.
• Do not massage or apply heat or cold unless your physician recommends it.
• Do not try methods suggested on social media or in forums.
• Do not have a new procedure on the same area somewhere else before the problem is resolved.
• Do not throw away your records, the product information or your photos.

How can you reduce the risk next time?

• Have the procedure done by a physician in a licensed healthcare facility.
• See the product’s sealed packaging, label and batch number; ask for them to be recorded in your file.
• Before the procedure, find out how you can reach the physician if there is a problem.
• Ask whether the clinic is prepared for emergencies.
• Give a complete account of your medical history, medicines and allergies.

For more detailed precautions, see the page “Reducing the Risk of Complications”.

This page is for general information; it does not replace an examination, an individual medical assessment or legal advice. In case of any urgent symptom, call 112.