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“Horrific”: Woman Suffers Second-Degree Burns After Getting Popular Beauty Procedure
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“Horrific”: Woman Suffers Second-Degree Burns After Getting Popular Beauty Procedure

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A 24-year-old was left with a “horrific” scar on her left cheek after a microneedling procedure intended to reduce acne marks ended with her having to go to the hospital for a chemical burn.

Melia Nielsen, a finance worker from Grimsby, England, decided to get rid of the scars left by her hormonal acne by visiting a skincare clinic in November 2023. Hoping to gain more confidence without makeup, she opted for microneedling, a procedure that involves using tiny needles to remove the superficial layers of skin.

Highlights
  • 24-year-old Melia Nielsen suffered chemical burns after a microneedling procedure.
  • Nielsen faced excessive skin damage and was advised not to use harsh products.
  • FDA warns against microneedling for those on acne meds due to heightened skin fragility.
  • Potential risks include dryness, redness; severe complications like scars are rare but possible.

The technique, which became popular after high-profile celebrities such as Naomi Campbell and Kourtney Kardashian advocated for it, is said to help with scarring and promote collagen and elastin growth.

Nielsen recalled how the clinician went through the affected area more than necessary, damaging her skin and forcing her to go to a hospital, where she was told that her face would never return to normal.

A 24-year-old woman was left with a large scar after being chemically burned during a microneedling procedure

Image credits: Melia Nielsen

Nielsen explained how her first session went smoothly, but things took a turn for the worse during her second visit to the skincare establishment in July. 

“The clinician didn’t mention any issues at the time, even though I was bleeding,” she recalled. “It was only days later she messaged me, acknowledging the excessive bleeding, which she had tried to clean with a toner or similar product, but that just stung the fresh, open skin.”

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Instead of the redness that was expected, the 24-year-old noticed a stark white skin patch on her face. When she brought this up to her clinician, they dismissed her, advising her to simply monitor the area and avoid harsh products.

Eventually, the spot began leaking fluid, which she tried to control by cleaning the area with water, but to no avail. Her injury worsened from that point on, becoming swollen and irritated, which forced her to seek proper medical attention.

Image credits: Melia Nielsen

“They told me I had a chemical burn,” Nielsen explained, adding that she then spent weeks dealing with itching and discomfort as her skin healed.

The 24-year-old shared before-and-after pictures of her procedure, shocking her viewers with the size and severity of her burn. “The scar will never fully disappear,” she wrote under the “after” photo, where her cheek, while healed, is still marked by the burn.

“Even now, if I rub my finger over it, it’s a completely different texture to the rest of my face,” she added. “Make sure to research thoroughly, have consultations, and choose your skincare wisely.”

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The FDA warns against microneedling for users who are taking acne medication, as it weakens the skin, increasing the likelihood of damage

Image credits: Melia Nielsen

Nielsen’s unfortunate experience illuminated the lesser-known risks associated with microneedling, which were detailed in a 2020 article published by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

While microneedling devices are often marketed as improving skin texture, reducing scarring, and providing anti-aging properties, the organization noted that the procedure is not without risks and urged users to do proper research before undergoing it.

Common risks associated with its use include dryness, tightness, peeling, and redness, while more severe complications like scarring and pigmentation changes are rarer but still possible.

Image credits: Melia Nielsen

Nielsen’s adverse reaction, however, may’ve been precipitated by the use of specific acne treatments. One of these is isotretinoin, a potent drug that explicitly warns users not to undergo any cosmetic procedures, as it dries the skin and makes it considerably more fragile.

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Other contraindications for microneedling include sun exposure, specific allergies, immune deficiencies, and certain skin conditions, all of which patients must inform the clinician about to avoid damaging their skin.

The FDA also stressed the importance of using proper hygiene protocols, including replacing needle cartridges for each session and sterilizing the equipment properly.

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Abel Musa Miño

Abel Musa Miño

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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Abel is a journalist at Bored Panda. Born in Santiago, Chile, he holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and a diploma in International Relations. In his spare time, you can find him tinkering with his motorbike, playing with his dog, or reading a good novel.

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Abel Musa Miño

Abel Musa Miño

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Abel is a journalist at Bored Panda. Born in Santiago, Chile, he holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and a diploma in International Relations. In his spare time, you can find him tinkering with his motorbike, playing with his dog, or reading a good novel.

Ugnė Lazauskaitė

Ugnė Lazauskaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

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I am employed as a Visual Editor in the news team. I make sure you have the best pictures near the most interesting text. In general all day I am looking at all you favourite celebrities facies and I am geting payed for it!

Read less »

Ugnė Lazauskaitė

Ugnė Lazauskaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

I am employed as a Visual Editor in the news team. I make sure you have the best pictures near the most interesting text. In general all day I am looking at all you favourite celebrities facies and I am geting payed for it!

What do you think ?
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Insomniac
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How's about we just accept skin diversity and understand that some people get acne instead of making it out to be a horrible thing and pressuring people to undergo all sorts of crazy things to have rid of it?

Insomniac
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not saying that people have to keep it if they don't want to! I'm just saying that it shouldn't be a big deal and people shouldn't feel forced to do all sorts of stuff to hide/get rid of it to not be mocked.

Load More Replies...
Bowtechie
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is one more example (of many) that completely puts me off the aesthetician/med spa trend. These places are not regulated and oftentimes there is no legal recourse for clients who get injured because of their negligence. They've been known to buy product that is often imported from sketchy markets and thus not regulated by the FDA and that means not checked for contamination or foreign substances. I cannot say enough DO NOT GO TO THESE PLACES. FFS JUST GO A REGULAR PLASTIC SURGEON OR DERMATOLOGIST AT THIS POINT. SURE IT'LL BE EXPENSIVE BUT NOT AS MUCH AS RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERIES AND LAWYER FEES.

Ivona
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The procedure is supposed to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. It doesn't involve any chemicals. This young lady must've been given the wrong kind of procedure.

The Other Guest
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or it was from the product the clinician used to clean the bleeding, damaged skin.

Load More Replies...
Ron Man
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is what happens when your research is from a beauty consultant trying to sell you the product/service.

Mari
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't do treatments without recommandation of a real doctor. Especially the face!

Insomniac
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How's about we just accept skin diversity and understand that some people get acne instead of making it out to be a horrible thing and pressuring people to undergo all sorts of crazy things to have rid of it?

Insomniac
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not saying that people have to keep it if they don't want to! I'm just saying that it shouldn't be a big deal and people shouldn't feel forced to do all sorts of stuff to hide/get rid of it to not be mocked.

Load More Replies...
Bowtechie
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is one more example (of many) that completely puts me off the aesthetician/med spa trend. These places are not regulated and oftentimes there is no legal recourse for clients who get injured because of their negligence. They've been known to buy product that is often imported from sketchy markets and thus not regulated by the FDA and that means not checked for contamination or foreign substances. I cannot say enough DO NOT GO TO THESE PLACES. FFS JUST GO A REGULAR PLASTIC SURGEON OR DERMATOLOGIST AT THIS POINT. SURE IT'LL BE EXPENSIVE BUT NOT AS MUCH AS RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERIES AND LAWYER FEES.

Ivona
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The procedure is supposed to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. It doesn't involve any chemicals. This young lady must've been given the wrong kind of procedure.

The Other Guest
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or it was from the product the clinician used to clean the bleeding, damaged skin.

Load More Replies...
Ron Man
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is what happens when your research is from a beauty consultant trying to sell you the product/service.

Mari
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't do treatments without recommandation of a real doctor. Especially the face!

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