What are the risks and late-onset side effects of getting wrinkle-reducing injections?

Generally, wrinkle-relaxing injections are non-surgical cosmetic procedures that involve injecting biological agents or fillers to improve facial wrinkles. The typical reference price for wrinkle-relaxing injections ranges from 1,000 to 3,000 yuan per injection, with visible improvements usually seen within 1-2 days. Potential risks and side effects of wrinkle-relaxing injections may include infection, facial stiffness, localized swelling and bruising, eyelid ptosis, and difficulty swallowing. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Risk of Infection

Wrinkle-relaxing injections are invasive procedures. If the medical facility's environment does not meet sterile standards or the instruments are not properly sterilized using high temperature and pressure, pathogens such as bacteria and viruses may multiply in the local tissue, triggering an inflammatory response that causes redness, pain, and fever at the injection site.

2. Facial Stiffness

If the physician administers an incorrect dosage, injects too much, or inserts the needle at an inaccurate location, muscles that should not be relaxed may also be affected, potentially causing excessive muscle relaxation.

3. Localized Swelling and Bruising

During the injection process, the needle may come into contact with blood vessels in the subcutaneous tissue. If a blood vessel is punctured, blood may leak into surrounding tissues, resulting in bruising. At the same time, the body initiates an inflammatory response, leading to localized swelling.

4. Eyelid Ptosis

When administering wrinkle-relaxing injections around the eyes, if botulinum toxin spreads toward the levator palpebrae superioris muscle, it can affect this muscle. Botulinum toxin blocks the nerve signals to the levator palpebrae superioris, causing paralysis and loss of contraction ability, which leads to eyelid ptosis.

5. Difficulty Swallowing

If wrinkle-relaxing injections are administered into the neck or deep facial muscles and the botulinum toxin spreads to the throat muscles—which are primarily responsible for swallowing—it can interfere with normal muscle contraction and relaxation by blocking nerve signals, resulting in difficulty swallowing and affecting normal eating.

In daily life, it is recommended to choose licensed and hygienically certified medical institutions for injections. After the procedure, strictly follow medical advice and perform proper post-injection care, such as avoiding massaging the injection site and maintaining a light diet.