At The Academy Clinic, we believe that every patient deserves access to safe, expert care, not just when receiving aesthetic treatments, but when things don’t go as planned.
That’s why, at the end of January 2026, we proudly launched The Aesthetic Complications Clinic at our Copthall Avenue Clinic in London: a dedicated service for patients who experienced unwanted outcomes or complications from aesthetic procedures at another clinic. This includes offering reassurance and expert guidance, administering hyaluronidase to safely dissolve filler, and correcting previous wrinkle-reduction treatments to restore balance and natural facial harmony.
We sat down with Dr Jo Hackney to answer the questions patients are actually asking. Whether you’re worried about a recent treatment, not happy with the results, noticing changes months after a procedure, or simply want to understand your options, this is for you.
What inspired the launch of The Aesthetic Complications Clinic?
The UK aesthetic industry continues to see a huge surge in popularity year to year, but regulation hasn’t kept pace. We became increasingly aware that while patients had plenty of options for receiving treatments, access to specialist follow-up care in the event of unsatisfactory results or complications were severely lacking.
Patients may lose faith in their original practitioner, or find that practitioner wasn’t equipped to manage what had gone wrong. Many people are being left isolated with nowhere to turn in the event of an unwanted result and we wanted to change that.
What gaps in the industry does the clinic aim to address?
There are two key gaps we’re addressing.
Firstly, patients treated by non-medical or under-trained practitioners who may not recognise an issue or often have no clear route to specialist help when something goes wrong.
Secondly, even when medical professionals are involved, not all are trained in recognising or managing complications from aesthetic treatments.
Our clinic offers a self-referral pathway, something that is still extremely rare, so patients can come directly to us without needing a referral.
As an education company, we also use our clinical experience to further develop industry understanding of complications and feed those learnings back into training programmes.
Why is complication management such a critical focus in aesthetics right now?
Simply put, more treatments means more complications.
The aesthetic industry is growing rapidly, and the spotlight on poor regulation is intensifying. As the number of procedures rises, so does the number of patients experiencing unwanted outcomes.
Complication management is no longer a niche concern, it is a fundamental part of responsible aesthetic practice.
What are the most common issues you see at the clinic?
The most common presentations we see include:
- Lumps, bumps and irregularities following filler treatment
- Asymmetry or uneven results
- Filler migration and redistribution
- Overfilling or an appearance that has changed significantly over time
- Misplacement of dermal filler
- Unsatisfactory wrinkle-reduction result
- Patients seeking dissolving treatment to ‘start fresh’ with their aesthetics
Each case is unique, and our role is to fully assess the patient before any decisions about treatment are made.
Can complications appear months or even years after treatment?
Yes and this surprises many patients.
Even hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers, which are marketed as temporary, can persist in the tissue for years. Over time, filler can redistribute, shift, or alter the appearance in ways that weren’t anticipated at the time of treatment.
This is one of the reasons we encourage patients not to dismiss changes to their appearance, even if their treatment was some time ago.
When should someone seek an expert assessment rather than waiting it out?
If you have any concerns about the outcome, appearance, or procedure itself, seek advice.
A consultation with us, with or without ultrasound imaging, doesn’t commit you to any further treatment. It’s simply an opportunity to understand what’s happening beneath the skin and explore your options.
Being well-informed is always the right starting point.
Why do you use ultrasound in complication assessment?
Ultrasound allows us to see beneath the surface of the skin in real time, right there in the consultation room.
We can identify anatomical structures, locate dermal filler, assess its position relative to surrounding tissues, and spot signs of complications that simply aren’t visible to the naked eye.
It gives us a much clearer clinical picture and helps us build a more targeted, safer management plan.
How does ultrasound improve patient safety compared to traditional assessment?
Ultrasound is completely non-invasive and safe.
When used alongside a thorough patient history and physical examination, it can be transformative in understanding what’s really going on.
While not always necessary, it can greatly improve assessment accuracy and patient outcomes in complex or uncertain cases.
How do you approach patients who feel anxious or embarrassed about previous treatments?
With absolute professionalism and without judgment.
Our focus is entirely on the person in front of us: understanding what they’ve experienced, reassuring them, and supporting them to make informed decisions about their care.
Consultations are confidential, we have a very patient centric, ethical and safe approach.
What would you say to someone who is nervous about reaching out?
Reaching out is the first step towards resolution, and we have built this service specifically to feel accessible and safe.
There is no obligation to proceed with any treatment following a consultation, it’s simply a space for you to explore your options with experienced medical professionals who genuinely want to help.
What is the difference between a Private Appointment and a Research Appointment?
At The Aesthetic Complications Clinic, we offer two types of appointments to suit different patient needs: Private Appointments and Research Appointments.
- Private Appointments are ideal for patients seeking personalised, one-on-one care from our senior medical professionals. These consultations focus entirely on you, assessing your treatment area, reviewing any complications or concerns, and advising on the safest corrective options.
- Research Appointments, on the other hand, offer a reduced-cost option while still being treated by a senior medical professional. These sessions could take place in a supervised teaching environment, where trainee clinicians may observe or anonymised images may be used for educational purposes. This allows patients to access specialist assessment and guidance at a lower cost, while also supporting the training of future medical aesthetic professionals.
How can patients reduce their risk of complications in the first place?
Prevention begins with choosing the right practitioner. Here’s what we always advise:
- Always seek treatment from a medical professional who is specifically trained in the procedure you are having and who knows how to manage complications if they arise.
- Ensure your practitioner holds valid insurance for the treatments they are performing.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for qualifications or certifications. Any competent practitioner will be happy to demonstrate their credentials.
- Always undergo a thorough consultation before agreeing to any treatment. You should fully understand what the procedure involves, the risks and side effects, and what will happen if something goes wrong.
- Never feel pressured into a treatment. A good clinician will present all your options, including the option of doing nothing and give you time to decide. If you feel rushed or pushed, walk away.
What sets you apart from other providers offering corrective aesthetic treatments?
Several things make our approach distinctive:
- Every member of our team is a medical professional with hands-on experience in both delivering aesthetic treatments and managing complications.
- We take a holistic, patient-centred approach, our priority is your wellbeing and safety, not upselling treatments.
- All of our clinicians are trained in the use of diagnostic ultrasound, which is not yet standard across the industry.
- We are part of an education company with robust clinical governance protocols, meaning we stay at the cutting edge of guidelines and best practice.
We want to be clear: we are not here to compete with other clinics. We genuinely believe the more practitioners who offer safe, experienced, and accessible complication management, the better it is for the entire industry, and most importantly, for patients.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If you have concerns about a previous aesthetic treatment, our team is here to help.
You can visit The Complications Clinic page on our website where you can see a breakdown of costs, treatment options and helpful FAQs.
Book a consultation at The Aesthetic Complications Clinic, a confidential, pressure-free appointment with an experienced medical professional. When booking your appointment, please select Copthall Avenue.
