Recently, there has been growing concern around the safety of dermal fillers – especially following the alarming case of Esther Jeong, a woman who lost vision in her left eye after receiving Juvelook Volume injections in Korea. This comes not long after a similar case in Singapore, where a woman tragically went blind in both eyes after being treated with Asthefill.
With incidents like these making headlines, it’s natural to feel uncertain or even fearful about the risks of fillers and aesthetic procedures. While such outcomes are rare, they highlight the importance of understanding potential complications, and more importantly, the role of qualified medical professionals in ensuring your safety.
In this article, we break down what happened, why it matters, and how you can make informed, safe choices when it comes to your skin.
Juvelook Volume is a hybrid injectable that combines poly-D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA) and hyaluronic acid (HA). It is designed to act as both a collagen stimulator and a skinbooster – promising plumper, more hydrated skin with long-term rejuvenating effects.
However, PDLLA is a particulate material. Particulate fillers are not dissolvable; if accidentally injected into a blood vessel they can cause vascular occlusion, blocking blood flow, which in severe cases may lead to skin necrosis or blindness.
In case you might be interested: Juvelook vs HA Smooth
This makes biostimulators like Juvelook, AestheFill and Sculptra more technically demanding – requiring deep anatomical knowledge, precise injection technique, and strong emergency protocols.
Yes, but the risk varies depending on several factors.
One major consideration is the type of filler used. Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are the most commonly used fillers worldwide and are considered safer because they are reversible with an enzyme called hyaluronidase.
Non-reversible collagen stimulating fillers, on the other hand, cannot be dissolved once injected. This significantly raises the stakes if complications occur.
The injection depth and technique also play a crucial role. Even skinboosters or superficial fillers, which are generally seen as safer, can carry a small risk when used in high-risk zones or with improper technique.
Some of the highest-risk areas for vascular complications include the Danger Triangle (area around the nose and mouth), forehead and glabella.
These areas are close to arteries that connect with the ophthalmic artery, meaning filler accidentally injected here could travel to the eye, causing visual disturbances or blindness.
Blindness from fillers occurs when material is accidentally injected into or compresses a blood vessel that supplies the eye. The filler can then travel backward into the ophthalmic artery, cutting off blood supply to the retina.
This is a medical emergency. Treatment must be initiated within 60–90 minutes for the best chance of recovery, including high-dose hyaluronidase (if HA filler was used), warm compresses, massage, and possibly hospital intervention.
While rare, complications like blindness highlight the importance of choosing experienced injectors – not only to minimise serious risks but also to avoid aesthetic issues like pillow face (an overfilled, unnatural look)
Immediately. In most cases, symptoms like vision changes, eye pain, or skin blanching occur within seconds to minutes after injection. That’s why all trained practitioners should monitor patients closely during and right after treatment.
When done correctly — yes. The key is your injector.
Aesthetic procedures should only be carried out by qualified medical professionals trained in anatomy, safe injection techniques, and emergency protocols.
A responsible injector should:
Technically, the injection of any substance into an artery –even air or water– can cause harm. However, the severity of complications increases with the viscosity of the product, the volume injected, and the risk level of the treatment area.
In treatments involving watery products like Korean PN or Anti Wrinkle Treatment, the risk of vessel occlusion and blindness is extremely low. Even if a small amount inadvertently enters a vessel, it would typically be diluted by the blood flow, minimising the risk of blockage (though, of course, this is not something we aim for).
Further, these treatments typically use a very small amount (around 0.05ml per point) and are administered into the superficial layers of the skin, where there are fewer major blood vessels and critical structures.
If HA Smooth or Korean PN were purposely injected directly into an ocular vessel and in large volumes, similar risks could occur. However, HA Smooth and Korean PN are not intended to be injected deep where major vessels lie. As long as the practitioner follows proper protocols such as targeting only the dermis, the risk of serious complications like blindness remains extremely low.
Such incidents are a reminder to always ask questions and choose your provider wisely.
At SL Aesthetic Clinic, patient safety is our utmost priority. That’s why we carefully review the safety profile of every injectable we carry, using only FDA-approved products that meet the highest standards.
We also choose reversible fillers, like hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, whenever possible – especially for delicate areas where extra care is needed. HA fillers offer the important advantage of being dissolvable if necessary, giving both our doctors and patients added peace of mind.
We also have a clear, established protocol to handle any rare medical emergencies, including the timely use of hyaluronidase when needed. We educate our team on the importance of the “golden window” — the crucial period immediately after a suspected complication where prompt action may (though not guaranteed) lead to a better outcome. This may involve our “Code Eye” protocol, which includes massage, prescription eye drops, and oral medication.
In addition, we continuously refine our techniques based on updated safety data. For instance, we often prefer the use of cannulas over needles to reduce the risk of vessel injury – although needles may still be used when necessary to achieve specific aesthetic outcomes.
Every step we take reflects our commitment to delivering effective yet responsible aesthetic care. If you have concerns about fillers or want to explore alternative treatments, we’re here to walk through your options with you. Book an appointment today!
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