Patient Information
Risks and Complications
Every cosmetic procedure carries risk, including the non-surgical ones. This page sets out what can go wrong with the treatments we offer, how likely each outcome is, and what recovery actually looks like.
No treatment works the same way on every person. Skin type, medical history, medication, hormones and sun exposure all change how you respond, and they change the risk profile too. What follows is general information. It is not a substitute for a consultation, and it is not advice about your own skin.
Before any treatment at BLAAH you will have a face-to-face assessment. We will go through your history, explain what we think is realistic for you, and tell you if we think a treatment is not going to give you what you are after. You are under no obligation to book anything on the day.
If you are considering a procedure and you want another view before you commit, seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. That is a reasonable thing to do and we will not be offended by it.
Risks that apply to any treatment
- The result may be less than you hoped for, or may not be noticeable at all
- You may need more sessions than estimated, at additional cost
- Redness, swelling, bruising and tenderness at the treated area
- Infection, which can require antibiotics
- Allergic or sensitivity reaction to a product used during treatment
- Changes in skin pigment, either darker or lighter, which may be long lasting
- Scarring, which is uncommon but permanent when it happens
- Asymmetry, where one side responds differently to the other
Risk is higher if you have a history of keloid scarring, are prone to pigmentation, have an active skin infection or breakout at the treatment site, are taking isotretinoin or certain photosensitising medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Tell us about all of these. Some of them mean we will decline to treat you. That decision is about protecting you, and it is not a judgement about you.
Risks by treatment
Laser hair removal
- Common
- Redness and mild swelling around the follicles for a few hours. Skin can feel like mild sunburn for 24 to 48 hours.
- Less common
- Temporary darkening or lightening of the skin, particularly in deeper skin tones. Blistering. Crusting. Folliculitis.
- Rare
- Burns and scarring. Paradoxical hair growth, where treated hair grows more coarsely. Changes to skin pigment that do not fully resolve.
- Recovery
- Most people return to normal activity the same day. Avoid sun exposure, hot showers, saunas and swimming for 48 hours.
Laser skin treatment
- Common
- Redness, warmth and mild swelling for one to three days. Treated pigment often darkens before it clears.
- Less common
- Peeling and flaking for several days. Temporary sensitivity. Uneven clearance requiring further sessions.
- Rare
- Burns, blistering and scarring. Prolonged pigment change. Reactivation of cold sores where treatment is near the mouth.
- Recovery
- Two to five days of visible redness or flaking is normal. Daily SPF is required throughout.
Chemical peel
- Common
- Stinging during application, then redness and tightness. Visible peeling from day two.
- Less common
- Uneven peeling. Temporary breakouts as congestion clears. Sensitivity to skincare you normally tolerate.
- Rare
- Post-inflammatory pigmentation, which is more likely in deeper skin tones. Scarring. Infection. Allergic reaction.
- Recovery
- Two to five days of mild peeling for a superficial peel. Longer for deeper formulations.
Dermal stamping
- Common
- Redness resembling sunburn for 24 to 72 hours. Pinpoint bleeding during treatment. Skin feels tight and dry afterwards.
- Less common
- Swelling for a day or two. Bruising. Temporary flare of congestion. Milia.
- Rare
- Infection. Scarring. Granulomas. Reactivation of cold sores. Worsening of active acne if treated too early.
- Recovery
- Two to three days before make-up. Active skincare is paused for about a week.
LED light therapy
- Common
- Mild warmth during the session. Occasional temporary redness.
- Less common
- Headache or eye strain if eye protection is not worn correctly. Dryness.
- Rare
- Photosensitive reactions, particularly on certain medications including some antibiotics and isotretinoin.
- Recovery
- Normal activity straight away. Tell us about every medication you take before your first session.
Radiofrequency skin tightening
- Common
- Warmth and mild redness for 30 to 60 minutes after the session.
- Less common
- Temporary swelling or tenderness. Results that are more modest than hoped for.
- Rare
- Burns. Blistering. Changes in the fat layer beneath the skin. Scarring.
- Recovery
- Normal activity and make-up straight away. Results build gradually over weeks, and several sessions are usually needed.
Cosmetic medicine consultations
Some of the concerns people raise with us are managed with prescription-only medicines. Australian law restricts what any clinic may publish about those products, so we do not describe them or name them on this website. What we can tell you is how the process works.
Any treatment involving a prescription medicine requires a consultation with a medical practitioner, who assesses whether it is appropriate for you before anything is prescribed. Procedures of this kind carry their own risks, which include bruising, swelling, infection, asymmetry, an unsatisfactory result, and less common but more serious complications affecting nearby structures. These are explained to you in person, as part of obtaining your informed consent, and you will be given time to consider them.
A seven-day cooling-off period applies before any such procedure for patients under 18. We apply a cooling-off period for adults as well, because we would rather you were certain.
When to contact us
Call the clinic on 0434 529 646 if you notice any of the following after a treatment:
- Increasing pain rather than settling pain
- Spreading redness, heat, or discharge from the treated area
- Fever
- Blistering, or skin that turns white, grey or dusky
- Any change in vision, or unusual pain around the eyes
- Anything that does not feel right to you, whether or not it is on this page
If symptoms are severe or you cannot reach us, go to your nearest emergency department or call 000. Do not wait for the clinic to open.
Who treats you
Treatments at BLAAH are provided by AHPRA-registered practitioners.
Natalie Hoyle (Registered Nurse, Cosmetics. AHPRA NMW0002801536).
Dr Niro Sivathasan, Cosmetic Physician (AHPRA MED0001769614).
You can check the registration of any Australian health practitioner at ahpra.gov.au.
Questions about any of this
Bring them to your consultation, or ask before you book. We would rather answer them now than have you wondering afterwards.
