Clinical Consent

• Skin texture, hydration, firmness and elasticity around the eyes.

• Fine lines and crepey-looking skin.

• The general appearance of tired or dull under-eye skin.

• Some types of under-eye darkness where thin skin and skin quality contribute.

Response is individual and gradual. Polynucleotides cannot correct every cause of dark circles, hollowness, eye bags, pigmentation, prominent vessels, fluid retention or structural tear-trough shadowing. A course and later maintenance may be recommended. No precise result, degree of improvement or duration can be guaranteed.

Depending on the cause of your concern, alternatives may include no treatment; skincare and sun protection; camouflage; lifestyle or medical review; chemical peel, microneedling, laser or energy-based treatment; dermal filler; botulinum toxin for selected lines; or surgical assessment. Each has different benefits and risks. The option of delaying or declining treatment has been discussed.

• Pain, stinging or discomfort during and shortly after injection.

• Pinpoint bleeding, redness, tenderness, itching, warmth and swelling.

• Small visible raised bumps (papules) or palpable product at injection points, commonly lasting 12–72 hours but sometimes longer.

• Bruising, which may be noticeable around the eye and can occasionally persist for one to two weeks or longer.

• Temporary puffiness or oedema; swelling around the eyes can appear more marked in the morning and may last several days.

• Temporary asymmetry while swelling settles, or headache / light-headedness associated with injections.

• Infection, including cellulitis or abscess, which may require antibiotics or other medical treatment.

• Allergic or hypersensitivity reaction to the product, fish-derived material, antiseptic, topical anaesthetic, latex or another item used. A severe reaction (anaphylaxis) is rare but is a medical emergency.

• Persistent inflammation, prolonged swelling, rash, acne-like eruption or worsening of an existing inflammatory skin condition.

• Firm lumps, nodules, granuloma, unevenness or persistent visible/palpable product; treatment or referral may be required.

• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, particularly in skin prone to pigment change.

• Herpes simplex (cold-sore) reactivation in a susceptible person.

• Skin injury, delayed healing, ulceration or scarring.

• Asymmetry, unsatisfactory cosmetic result, little or no improvement, or an effect that lasts for a shorter or longer time than expected.

• Needle-related injury to a blood vessel, nerve or surrounding structure. Inadvertent injection into or compression of a blood vessel may compromise blood supply and cause tissue damage. Serious eye complications, including visual disturbance or vision loss, are exceptionally rare risks described with facial injections generally; the precise risk with polynucleotides is not well established.

• An unexpected reaction not yet recognised. Evidence for aesthetic polynucleotide treatment is still developing and long-term outcome data are more limited than for some established treatments.

Follow the individual advice given by your practitioner. Do not stop prescribed medication unless the prescribing clinician advises this. You may be asked to avoid alcohol, strenuous exercise, excessive heat, saunas/steam rooms, swimming, rubbing or pressure on the area, makeup and active skincare for a stated period. Keep the area clean, use only recommended products and attend review if requested. Do not massage the area unless specifically instructed.

CONTACT THE CLINIC URGENTLY for increasing pain, marked or one-sided swelling, spreading redness or heat, pus, fever, blistering, dusky/pale/mottled skin, a persistent firm lump, worsening symptoms after initial improvement, or anything that concerns you.

CALL 999 / ATTEND A&E IMMEDIATELY for difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue/throat, collapse, sudden severe eye pain, loss or change of vision, double vision, drooping eyelid, severe headache, weakness, confusion or other acute neurological symptoms. Do not wait for a routine clinic reply.