Dr. Nguyen Dinh Quan, Deputy Head of Plastic, Aesthetic, and Rehabilitation Surgery at the National Hospital of Dermatology, reported on 16/5 about a patient who developed a severe facial infection following a thread lift. Approximately one month after the procedure, the 30-year-old woman experienced swelling and pain in her right cheek, leading to a cellulitis diagnosis. An ultrasound confirmed a lesion in the subcutaneous layer, revealing a foreign body surrounded by fat infiltration. Clinicians identified a subcutaneous inflammatory focus accompanied by the foreign material.

Surgeons incised the area to drain pus and removed the threads from the patient's right cheek. Following seven days of treatment, her swelling subsided, and she was discharged with a prescription for continued antibiotic use.

The thread lift threads removed by doctors. *Photo: Hospital provided*

Dr. Quan highlighted this case as a typical complication arising from cosmetic procedures performed without proper sterile conditions, by unqualified individuals, or with materials of uncertain origin or storage. These factors collectively led to a severe subcutaneous infection, with the threads themselves acting as persistent foreign bodies.

Dr. Quan emphasized, "foreign bodies remaining in subcutaneous tissue facilitate prolonged, difficult-to-treat infections, which can result in unsightly scars or facial deformities if not addressed promptly".

Non-invasive aesthetic procedures, such as thread lifts and skin rejuvenation, are frequently marketed as "quick, effective, and requiring no recovery period". However, clinical experience demonstrates that when these procedures are performed at unregulated facilities, they carry significant risks of complications and adverse health effects.

Consequently, doctors strongly advise individuals considering cosmetic enhancements, particularly invasive procedures such as thread lifts and filler injections, to select only licensed medical facilities equipped with appropriate conditions and resources. They emphasize that a qualified, experienced doctor with a valid practicing certificate must perform these procedures. Always consult with a specialist before undergoing any aesthetic treatment.

Le Nga