Aesthetic procedures of the surgical and non-surgical variety are growing in popularity, as more and more people look to enhance both their physical and mental wellbeing by undergoing a procedure such as breast enlargement or reduction, abdominoplasty, face and neck lifts, or botox.
The vast majority of procedures carried out in the UK are done ethically, effectively, and lead to positive patient outcomes. However, the reality of any procedure, no matter how minor, is that complications can occur.
The importance of being able to effectively handle such situations cannot be understated. In this article you will find guidance on managing complications in aesthetics, enabling you to maintain your professional integrity, preserve patient trust, and above all ensure the very best care for your clients.
Common Aesthetic Complications
Aesthetic treatment recovery that goes to plan is by far the most common outcome after aesthetic procedures. However, even with correctly-performed procedures that have adhered to all the proper rules of process and hygiene, aesthetic treatment risks are present, and problems can occur in the aftermath.
Some complications associated with the most popular aesthetic procedures, such as polynucleotides and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), are infections, allergic reactions, unfavourable scarring, unsatisfactory results, and in some cases, more severe medical issues such as hematoma, vascular complications and nerve damage.
What the Statistics Say
Statistics relating to complications arising from cosmetic surgery in the UK are hard to come by, but a long-term study by the National Library of Medicine in the USA, published in 2020, suggested that less than 1% of all aesthetic surgery procedures led to wound complications.
However, when it came to breast surgeries, 35% had led to postoperative infections, which can be attributed in part to their huge popularity when compared to other procedures.
When it comes to non-surgical aesthetic procedures, and botox in particular, a 2023 study by experts at UCL, found that 69% of respondents had experienced prolonged effects such as pain, anxiety and headaches, following botox injections.
However, with more rigorous regulation on the way, the hope is that aesthetic treatment risks will shrink, and these numbers will be lowered as the amount of counterfeit botox in circulation is reduced.
Initial Steps in Managing Complications
When a complication is identified or brought to your attention, patient safety is paramount. So, a swift initial assessment will allow you to gauge the severity of any condition, provide any initial care that may be needed, and allow you to put a plan in place for any subsequent treatment, either by you or another medical practitioner.
Calm and clear communication with the patient throughout the process will help allay their fears, in what is sure to be a troubling time. Offering an easily understandable assessment of what the problem is, along with clear and concise plans of action will also help to put the patient at ease and build their trust in you.
Knowledge of emergency protocols in aesthetics, such as signs of potentially life-threatening complications such as thrombosis, is also essential.
Communication Strategies
Effectively communicating with patients is about much more than what you say. How you talk to them is key too. Politeness is crucial, as is displaying empathy with their situation and reassuring patients that you are being completely honest, up front and transparent with them.
Kindness goes a long way, especially when dealing with a patient’s heightened emotions, which can be tricky terrain to navigate. Someone who is upset will always need reassurance that they are being listened to and that there is a path to resolving their complication.
If a patient is angry, respond rather than react to what they are saying. Acknowledge their anger and ask open ended questions that don’t just require a yes or no answer, which will give them the opportunity to air their grievances.
When responding, speak softly and make sure you stress the fact that your only intention here is to help them. If their anger is wholly directed towards you, remain calm, even if provoked, and politely seek their cooperation in resolving this complication.
Be aware of your body language and the non-verbal signals you are sending out. Stand or sit in a relaxed fashion, maintain eye contact, and nod to show you are engaged with what they are saying, while avoiding defensive gestures such as crossed arms.
Treatment and Correction Strategies
Different aesthetic procedure complications require different treatment options. Conservative management could include medication to combat allergic reactions, or external treatments such as creams or ointments.
More invasive interventions could also be appropriate, such as corrective surgery. In more extreme cases, more complicated surgery may be the best course of action.
The decision-making process in choosing the most appropriate corrective action should be transparent and collaborative. Consulting with colleagues and external specialists should be a key part of this process, in order to make absolutely sure that all possible options are explored, and the very best plan of action is presented to the client.
You should always give the patient agency to make their own decision, but be prepared to effectively answer the invariable question of what course of action you would recommend.
Documentation and Reporting
Keeping accurate records of the complications that are brought to you, and the actions taken to resolve them is crucial for a number of reasons.
The first is protecting yourself and your practice from any legal recourse stemming from claims relating to your handling of a particular complication. Having everything in writing prevents any dispute about what may or may not have been said in patient consultations.
Furthermore, keeping detailed records plays a crucial role in improving patient safety in cosmetic procedures moving forward.
Not only can you and your colleagues learn from what has gone before, but the broader medical community can benefit from access to the shared knowledge available via effective reporting systems, when it comes to complication prevention in aesthetics in the future.
Preventing Future Complications
Complications arising from aesthetic procedures will never be eradicated completely, but that is not to say you can’t learn from them, even if the procedure itself was done to the very highest standard.
It is really important to review every complication that you encounter, with the goal of trying to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Bring any other members of your team into the process that may be able to provide effective insights, and use your findings to inform your actions moving forward.
This could include bespoke staff training sessions, protocol revisions, or even a change in drugs such as anaesthetics.
Being at the forefront of new technologies, techniques and medication moving forward will also allow you to use all the tools at your disposal to provide the very best in patient treatment and care in the future.
Legal Considerations
The potential for malpractice claims stemming from complications relating to aesthetic medicine procedures should always be taken very seriously. Keeping effective records is one of the main legal considerations in aesthetic medicine, as is securing adequate and informed consent pre-treatment.
Consulting with legal professionals at every stage of the process will allow you to put proper risk management procedures in place, ensure legal compliance with all the relevant regulations, and help avoid professional liability in cosmetics when things go wrong.
Moving Forward in the Future
A reputable and successful aesthetic practice is built on a patient-centric approach, with the welfare of your clients as the North Star, guiding everything you do.
The quality of the procedures you carry out and the steps you take towards complication prevention in aesthetics, along with how prepared and educated you are from initial consultation through to aftercare, will help you achieve the highest standards of patient care and satisfaction.
However, all of this could count for nothing if you are not adept at managing complications in aesthetics. This involves effective patient communication during complications, formulating and presenting a clear plan of action, and putting procedures in place to increase patient safety in cosmetic procedures.
When all of the above is in place, you can not only rest easy that when the worst does happen, you will be prepared for it, but focus your energy and expertise on providing the very highest standards of patient care.
At Acquisition Aesthetics, our award-winning training courses can help you integrate all of the elements discussed in this article into the fabric of your practice, and we would encourage anyone to seek out our Complications Masterclass, in particular, if you are looking for further information.
Q&A
- What are the most common complications arising from aesthetic procedures?
The most common complications following surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures are wound infections, allergic reactions, dissatisfaction with the results of the procedure, hematoma, and vascular complications.
- What is the best way to deal with an angry patient?
Be aware of what you are saying and how you are saying it, paying particular attention to the tone of your voice and your body language. An angry patient needs to feel that their grievances are being listened to, and will benefit from reassurance that your sole goal is to solve their problem, along with a clear plan of action.
- How can I protect myself from any legal recourse arising from aesthetic procedure complications?
In addition to ensuring that any aesthetic procedures are carried out to the highest standard, and adhere to all existing laws and regulations, making sure that consent has been correctly documented, and effective records are kept can help to protect yourself from any professional liability stemming from aesthetic procedure complications.
