July 27th 2024.
Michelle and Jessica had a terrible experience with a cosmetic treatment that left them with burns and swelling for weeks. Michelle, a 39-year-old makeup artist from Seattle, Washington, had undergone a Morpheus8 treatment in March 2023 at a medical spa she had trusted for two years. However, within six hours of the procedure, she noticed severe swelling, gridmarks and blisters on her nasolabial fold. What she thought would be a simple and safe treatment turned out to be an extreme pain that left her feeling deformed for months.
Morpheus8 is a popular treatment that uses microneedling and radiofrequency to stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin. It is offered by over 200 practitioners in the UK and thousands more around the world. According to Dr. Tapan Patel, medical director of PHI Clinic, there are slight differences among the machines and their needles, which can affect the results. Many celebrities, including Victoria Beckham and Kim Kardashian, swear by Morpheus8, with Kim even calling it a "game-changer" for her beauty routine.
Despite being advertised as a safe and effective treatment, some recent accounts have raised concerns about its potential side effects. Made In Chelsea star Melissa Tattam, who underwent the treatment in 2023, claimed to have been left with scarring all over her face. In addition, a Facebook group dedicated to discussing the possible side effects of Morpheus8 has garnered thousands of members. Jessica Brown, a 39-year-old stay-at-home mom from New York, had a similar experience. She was recommended the treatment during a skincare consultation and was told that the redness would only last for 72 hours. However, she ended up with severe swelling, pain, and rough skin texture that lasted for weeks.
According to Jessica, the treatment itself was not very painful, with a pain rating of four out of ten. However, the following evening, her skin turned bright red and felt like the back of an alligator. It was so itchy and painful that she couldn't sleep or focus on anything else. Her entire face was swollen, and she felt like her head was heavier than usual. She immediately contacted the aesthetician who administered the treatment, and they prescribed medication for her allergic reaction to the gold needles used in the treatment. However, even after a month, her symptoms had not completely subsided.
Michelle's experience was similar to Jessica's, but her healing process took even longer. It took over eight months for her skin to fully heal, and she had to use oral and topical steroids, as well as SPF and hydroquinone, prescribed by her dermatologist. The spa where she had the treatment initially claimed that her reaction was due to an allergy to lidocaine. However, a full panel test with her primary care physician showed that she was not allergic to anything.
Dr. Hassan Galadari, a dermatologist, explains that while complications from Morpheus8 are rare, they can occur if the treatment is not administered properly. Excessive heat from the radiofrequency energy or the use of the device by inexperienced practitioners can lead to burns, scarring, or uneven energy distribution. The most common side effects of radiofrequency microneedling are pain, redness, purpura, and swelling, which usually resolve within five days. However, in some cases, more severe complications, such as thermal burns, contour deformities, and seromas, may occur.
In the UK, there are no specific restrictions on who can provide microneedling treatments. However, Health Education England recommends a Level 6 qualification for tools that penetrate the skin at a depth of 1mm or more, and some local councils require a special treatments license for the service. It is important to do thorough research and choose a reputable and experienced practitioner to avoid any potential risks or complications from cosmetic treatments.
Michelle and Jessica both underwent a treatment that resulted in severe burns and swelling that lasted for weeks. The experience left them in pain and feeling deformed for months afterwards. Michelle, a makeup artist from Seattle, went for a Morpheus8 treatment in March of 2023 at a medical spa that she had trusted for two years.
The Morpheus8 treatment combines microneedling and radiofrequency to stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin. It has gained popularity among celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Kim Kardashian, with the latter even calling it a "game-changer" for her beauty routine. However, despite being marketed as safe and effective, recent accounts have raised concerns about its potential side effects.
One such account is that of Melissa Tattam, a Made in Chelsea star, who was left with scarring after her treatment in 2023. This has led to a Facebook group dedicated to raising awareness about the potential risks of Morpheus8, which has thousands of members. Another dissatisfied customer is Jessica Brown, a stay-at-home mom from New York, who was recommended the treatment during a skincare consultation. She was assured that there would only be 72 hours of light redness, but ended up with severe swelling and pain that lasted for weeks.
Jessica rated the pain during the treatment at around a four out of 10, with some areas reaching a brief seven out of 10. After the treatment, everything seemed fine until she got in the shower the following evening. Her skin turned bright red and felt like the back of an alligator. It was so itchy and painful that she couldn't sleep or focus on anything else. Her face also became swollen, making her head feel heavier.
She immediately contacted the aesthetician who performed the treatment, and they prescribed her with oral and cream steroids as well as allergy pills. She was told that she was having a reaction to the gold metal used in the needles. However, even after a month, her face was still painful and swollen. She learned a valuable lesson and regretted getting the treatment.
Michelle's skin also took over eight months to heal, with her regular dermatologist providing her with medication and skin care products. However, the spa where she had the treatment initially blamed her reaction on an allergy to lidocaine, which was later proven to be false. Dermatologist Dr. Hassan Galadari explains that complications from Morpheus8 are rare, but can occur due to excessive heat and improper technique by inexperienced practitioners.
The most common side effects of radiofrequency microneedling include pain, redness, and swelling, which usually subside within five days. However, there have been cases of more severe side effects such as burns and contour deformities. In one study, 4.8% of patients experienced swelling for six weeks or more, and 3.2% had hardened areas of skin for 12 weeks or more. Less than 1% reported rare complications like burns and seromas, while 1.2% experienced neuropraxia.
In the UK, there are no specific restrictions on who can perform microneedling. Health Education England recommends a Level 6 qualification for tools that penetrate the skin at a depth of 1mm or more, and some local councils require a special treatments license. This lack of regulations may contribute to the increasing number of dissatisfied customers and the need for more awareness about the potential risks of Morpheus8.
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