Concern lingers as authorities mull ban on filler injections

It was announced early this month that the Medical Council was considering the ban, citing reports of harmful accidents. There was a recent news story about a person going blind after having a filler substance – which was not FDA-approved – injected at an unregistered clinic by an unlicensed practitioner who was not a doctor.
Filler injections are quite popular at the moment, especially as a temporary alternative to rhinoplasty. But it’s important to understand that there are many types of injected fillers and not all of them are safe.
The most popular filler is hyaluronic acid, which draws fluid to the treatment area, making it look plumper. It is the only type of filler endorsed by the Thai Food and Drug Administration.
Bovine collagen is quite risky if you turn out to be allergic to it. Autologous fat (taken from your own fat cells), man-made biodegradable polymer, calcium hydroxylapatite and microscopic plastic beads are also used.
Every substance has its own pros and cons, so make sure you know what’s being injected. Some doctors use unapproved fillers or buy cheap ones that can be dangerous.
How the filler is injected also plays a role. If the doctor lacks the proper skills, the substance can end up in the wrong place, possibly leading to serious complications, ranging from mild infection due to the lack of hygiene to lumpy skin because the amount injected was wrong.
Worse, the filler can clog blood vessels, which is what happened in the case of the person who ended up blind. The vein supplying blood to the retinas was blocked, resulting in blindness.
It is extremely important to make sure the clinic, the doctor and the filler are reliable before you undergo the treatment. Usually the body will naturally eliminate hyaluronic acid after six months. Obviously it’s better not to risk walking around with unsatisfactory results for that long a time.
The effects of some fillers are reversible, but that’s not always the case. And even if they are reversible, removal can be far more difficult than injection. This is why any such treatment needs to be done carefully, and only by experienced doctors.
However, if you’ve already had the injection and see no problem, there is no need to worry. If uncertain, ask your doctor about the substance injected and whether there’s any possible risk.
As for the ban, it’s still under consideration. A decision is expected soon. If there is a ban, many details first need to be explained, such as which substances and which parts of the body it covers.