A bride-to-be has been left disfigured after receiving microneedle treatment ahead of a wedding photoshoot. Ms Zhang was left suffering severe swelling to her face and neck, pus-filled bumps, and near blindness following the skin procedure at a beauty salon she had been visiting for two years.
She has revealed she is currently too distressed to venture outside without a mask covering her face. The Hong Kong resident was talked into undergoing the treatment, which utilises an electric pen to inject serums deep beneath the skin's surface, to ensure a 'flawless' appearance for an upcoming wedding photoshoot in Japan.
Procedure and Immediate Aftermath
Her naturally fair and smooth skin led her regular beautician to suggest the microneedle procedure, with promises it would rejuvenate her complexion and allow her to go ahead with the photos the following Sunday. The procedure involved using a cordless electric microneedle pen to introduce essences directly into the skin.
Throughout the session, Ms Zhang experienced stinging and numbness, particularly around her neck, yet the therapist maintained there was nothing wrong. The next morning, her entire face and neck had turned red, become severely swollen, and were covered in dense white pustules.
Despite applying moisturisers and face masks as recommended, her condition deteriorated dramatically. Her eyes swelled almost completely shut, impairing her vision, while pus around her neck caused difficulties with breathing.
Medical Diagnosis and Costs
She described her face as 'rotten' and 'pitted', saying she didn't dare look in the mirror and feared going out without a mask. A GP diagnosed a serious skin infection and administered steroid and antibiotic injections alongside oral medication, with medical bills already totalling approximately £938 (HKD 10,000).
A fortnight later, the swelling had not subsided and her skin remained unfit for makeup ahead of her end-of-year wedding. She pursued compensation covering lost earnings, travel costs and continuing medical expenses, reportedly seeking around £4,194 (HKD 44,720) in total.
Salon's Response and Breakdown of Talks
The salon initially brushed off her redness as a normal reaction and attributed the whiteheads to inadequate moisture levels. During negotiations, the beautician's husband reportedly turned hostile, accusing her of 'chasing money' and using emotional blackmail.
He rejected any liability, insisting that strict sterilisation procedures and fresh disposable needles had been used, with no concrete evidence connecting the treatment to the infection. Compensation talks subsequently broke down after the beauty salon offered roughly £1,876 (HKD 20,000), a sum the victim turned down as it fell short of covering her losses, including her cancelled Japan trip and ongoing medical bills.
Police Involvement and Ongoing Concerns
She subsequently reported the matter to police after feeling threatened. The salon confirmed they had also lodged a report with police and contacted the Consumer Council, maintaining that they had cautioned her about possible redness and respected her choice to go ahead with the procedure.
Ms Zhang, who is undergoing ongoing follow-up treatment with no clear timeline for recovery, says she feels deeply betrayed after two years of regular appointments at the clinic. She is now worried that her skin may not fully heal in time for her wedding later this year.
The case shines a spotlight on the potential dangers of invasive cosmetic procedures when carried out close to significant life events. No settlement has yet been agreed and investigations are still ongoing.
