Filler-induced vascular occlusion is not a theoretical risk. It is a documented, recurring complication that affects practitioners across all experience levels. A practitioner who has the appropriate materials to hand and has rehearsed the management protocol is in a position to act effectively. One who has not is not. The difference in outcome between these two practitioners can be the difference between complete resolution and permanent vision loss.

Safety is one of the most common concerns in aesthetic medicine, and rightly so. Understanding the risks, choosing the right practitioner, and having a proper consultation are key to achieving safe, natural results. In our latest article, we explain the most common misconceptions and what patients should really know before treatment.

Vascular occlusion occurs when filler is inadvertently injected into or compresses a blood vessel, interrupting the blood supply to the tissue it serves. In the most serious cases the consequence can be permanent vision loss. Blindness following filler treatment is rare. It is not impossible. And any practitioner who presents this risk as negligible is not being straight with you.

After more than 20 years of performing dermal filler treatments and trying most of the leading products on the market, I now use Belotero exclusively. Here I explain why.