After emerging from the extensive lockdowns in Melbourne, Agnés* sought a revitalizing boost through the use of cosmetic injectables, which she described as “a bit of a pick-me-up” during a challenging time.
Essential Insights on Cosmetic Injectables and Their Risks:
- The use of dissolving agent hyaluronidase remains unregulated and unapproved for cosmetic applications, despite its prevalence in the industry.
- Research indicates that 20% of patients who had their fillers dissolved reported experiencing adverse effects.
- Numerous patients suffering from complications related to fillers and dissolvers feel isolated and neglected by medical professionals.
Agnés made a choice she did not initially contemplate deeply, and when the results of her dermal lip filler did not align with her expectations, she opted for its removal through a procedure known as dissolving, which has gained popularity among cosmetic patients.
Following the injection of 30 units of a widely used product called hyaluronidase into her lips and jawline, Agnés awoke to what she described as “bone-crushing pain,” which was both alarming and disorienting.
With growing concern over her health, she presented herself to the emergency department, fearing that she might be experiencing a stroke due to the intense discomfort.
“I felt an overwhelming sense of sickness, almost as if something toxic had entered my body,” she recalled from her lounge room in Queensland, where she was grappling with the aftermath of her treatment.
“My pupils were highly dilated, and my heart was racing uncontrollably, which was deeply unsettling.”
“There was an undeniable intuition that something was seriously amiss with what I had received, prompting me to seek immediate medical attention.”
After being informed that her symptoms could be a reaction to the anesthetic, Agnés returned home from the hospital, but the lingering unease continued to gnaw at her.
In the ensuing days and weeks, Agnés, at 33 years of age and previously enjoying good health, began to notice alarming changes in her body, accompanied by intensifying pain.
Medical documentation revealed symptoms such as dry eyes, blurred vision, slurred speech, chest pain, and jaw ligament issues, yet the underlying cause remained elusive and poorly understood.
The absence of comprehensive research has left medical professionals unable to definitively establish whether hyaluronidase is responsible for these adverse health outcomes.
Today, the filmmaker grapples with a range of systemic health issues that she attributes to the dissolving agent, including persistent nerve damage, deteriorating connective tissues throughout her body, and an enigmatic autoimmune condition that remains undiagnosed.
The drug that Agnés received has a long-standing history of use in medical fields such as eye surgeries, where it assists in breaking down connective tissues and enhancing the penetration of anesthetics by making skin cells more permeable.
However, its application in cosmetic treatments has not been sanctioned by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) or other international health authorities, rendering its use “off label”.
The TGA explains that “off label” usage means that the application of the drug is at the discretion of physicians, despite the absence of rigorous safety testing.
Consequently, the widely utilized drug remains unregulated within Australia’s flourishing cosmetic surgery market.
The lack of established industry guidelines regarding the optimal usage of this drug globally has also led to patients receiving varying types and dosages of the enzyme.
Experiences of Severe Side Effects from Cosmetic Procedures
Although some patients report no negative side effects, the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine has observed a marked increase in patients detailing complications—ranging from mild discomfort to severe health crises—arising from the dissolving procedure.
Given the uncertainty surrounding the drug’s potential impacts, patients like Agnés have expressed feeling “medically gaslit” by healthcare providers, leaving them trapped in a state of medical limbo. They contend that the cosmetic industry often prioritizes profits over the safety and well-being of patients.
Agnés emphasized that the problem is worsened by inadequate informed consent practices, with many practitioners providing minimal to no warnings about the possible risks and complications associated with the dissolving treatments.
“When you delve into the specifics of this product and the functionalities of this enzyme, it is fundamentally catalytic and designed to break down components,” remarked Agnés.
“This accurately describes the sensation—like a slow corrosion, a breakdown occurring within my body.”
Tina*, a Victorian resident, stated she continues to “pay the price” after receiving 6 milligrams of hyaluronidase in her cheeks and temples to dissolve facial fillers seven years ago.
“When I look in the mirror, I witness a rapid aging process. My mother recently turned 70, and we appear nearly identical,” lamented the 48-year-old.
“I used to walk into rooms and command attention; now, I find myself avoiding eye contact and even resigning from my job.”
“This industry is profit-driven—performing an injection takes a mere half hour, and they can easily make thousands from it.”
The Struggles of Living with Adverse Effects
Agnés reported that she has been unable to work for the past two years as she navigates the challenges of chronic illness, experiencing debilitating fatigue and struggling with suicidal thoughts.
The most distressing aspect of her journey has been the “overt medical gaslighting” she has faced from multiple doctors over the years while seeking assistance.
During one visit to the emergency department at a Melbourne hospital, a doctor told her, “You’re still pretty, go home and get some rest,” minimizing her very real struggles.
She described how healthcare providers dismissed her symptoms as mere dysmorphia, leaving her feeling isolated and estranged from her family support networks.
“I was outright told that it was impossible for my condition to be related to my treatment. It was suggested that my issues coincidentally arose around the same time,” she recounted.
“The cruelty of such responses was astounding. It implied that I was suffering from some form of hysteria rather than acknowledging the reality of my experiences.”
“Medical gaslighting not only devastates those directly affected; it also disrupts and fractures the support systems surrounding them.”
Sienna Blake is a licensed aesthetic consultant and beauty writer specializing in cosmetic surgery advancements and non-invasive treatments. With a background in dermatology and over eight years of industry experience, Sienna is passionate about helping people achieve confidence through informed beauty decisions. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences and regularly collaborates with top plastic surgeons to stay at the forefront of aesthetic innovations. Outside of her work, Sienna enjoys traveling, skincare research, and practicing Pilates.
