When to Call the Clinic: Vision Changes, Pale Skin at Once

Which symptoms need immediate medical attention?

After injection treatments, vision changes, unusual pain, and skin at the injection site turning white, gray or bluish need immediate medical attention.

The US FDA explains that the most concerning risk of fillers is accidental injection into a blood vessel, which, although unlikely, can be serious and possibly irreversible, such as tissue necrosis, vision problems including blindness, and stroke. Blood vessel injury is also an important concern with skin boosters, and loss of vision has rarely been reported with PLA products.

Typical signs of vascular occlusion are described as skin turning pale, a net-like red mottled pattern, slow return of color after pressing and releasing, dark red or bluish discoloration, and blisters and tissue loss after a few days. It is rare, but prompt recognition and immediate treatment are important.

• Sudden loss of vision, blurred vision or eye pain
• Skin near the injection site turning white, gray or bluish
• Sudden difficulty speaking, or numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg
• Difficulty walking, facial drooping, severe headache, dizziness or confusion

What symptoms should I watch for after ultrasound or radiofrequency lifting?

After HIFU (ultrasound) or radiofrequency (RF) lifting, contact the clinic for blisters or burns, tingling, numbness or muscle weakness that lasts beyond the expected period, or vision changes or difficulty speaking.

In Ultherapy clinical studies, nerve effects such as numbness, tingling and localized muscle weakness usually resolved within 2 to 6 weeks, but after the device came to market, cases lasting several months as well as burns and blisters, vision changes and difficulty speaking were also reported. These figures come from Ultherapy data and are not applied directly to other devices.

The manufacturer of Thermage notes that burns, blisters and scabs, and numbness, tingling or temporary paralysis lasting several weeks can rarely occur. Unlike common reactions such as redness or mild soreness, symptoms that keep getting worse or last a long time need to be checked.

When should I contact the clinic after a thread lift?

After a thread lift, contact the clinic if you have signs of possible infection, a thread coming out, bumpy contours or an inflammatory reaction.

Studies reported that these symptoms may not resolve on their own and may need treatment. This includes swelling that keeps getting worse and hotter, or thread ends that can be felt or seen.

Visible threads, skin dimpling and thread migration that remain after 4 weeks are classed as late complications, so it is better to let the clinic know than to wait and see.

How long can I wait with bruising or swelling?

Ordinary bruises usually get better within 2 to 3 weeks, and seeing a doctor is recommended if a bruise has not gone after 3 weeks.

The UK NHS gives this advice for bruising around the eye. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) explains that redness, swelling, tenderness and bruising after fillers usually go away within 7 to 14 days.

Even within that period, if swelling or pain does not ease and keeps getting worse, it is hard to regard it as a normal course. Recovery speed varies from person to person, so if you are unsure, it is a good idea to take photos and contact the clinic.

How do I contact CELITA Clinic?

Contact the clinic through the main number, 051-928-0409, or the messenger channel you used to book.

For English there is WhatsApp, for Korean a KakaoTalk channel, for Japanese and Traditional Chinese LINE, and for Simplified Chinese WeChat, and staff who speak English, Chinese and Japanese are on site. Precautions are also summarized on the aftercare instruction card in your language that you receive after treatment.

Opening hours are 10:00-20:00 on weekdays and 10:00-17:00 on Saturdays and Sundays. If urgent symptoms such as vision changes or signs of stroke occur outside opening hours, go to the nearest emergency department right away.