Social networking sites and media outlets in China and South Korea witnessed a widespread phenomenon of facial puffiness and swelling after undergoing cosmetic injections containing growth factors, while the condition was known as “bubble face.” This phenomenon has sparked a wave of criticism towards these procedures, which are still marketed as magic solutions that bring about rapid changes and promise a more youthful appearance without waiting a long time.
According to what was published by the Chinese Central Television (CCTV) website, the cosmetic medicine sector is witnessing an estimated growth of about 15% annually, with thousands of new companies entering the Chinese cosmetic market every year.
This expansion highlights the need to set more stringent standards and enhance oversight of promotional campaigns for innovative beauty technologies, in a way that contributes to protecting the mental and physical health of young people, especially the age group between 26 and 35 years, which the report indicated is the most in demand of modern beauty trends.
What happened?
The story began when some girls went to beauty salons to receive cosmetic injections through which they were promised a full, childish face that would take them back about ten years, along with smoother and fresher skin. Unlicensed parties contributed to promoting these injections through well-known personalities on social media, which led to their spread among certain segments of girls.
The girls obtained a beautiful, full face, which social media platforms were abuzz with, as followers rushed to book their appointments in the desire to obtain the same results. However, after approximately one to two years, irregular bulges and swellings began to appear in the face at the site of the injection, worsening day after day. The size of the cheeks increased, the forehead protruded outward, and the chin appeared pointed and longer, so that the result changed from striking beauty to deformity that almost concealed the original features.
Women affected by “growth factor” injections did not just sit and write their stories on various platforms, but they also produced video clips showing the extent of the deformity and swelling that changed their features. In an effort to raise awareness about the dangers of these injections and the reality of what might happen after receiving them, their swollen faces became media material that traveled the world, east and west.
The medical explanation for what happened
This problem has turned into a global issue that has prompted doctors and specialists to search for an explanation for it, especially with increasing questions about the difference between growth factor injections and filler injections that are common globally, as both aim to enhance facial fullness when injected into tissues.
After that, dermatologists, cosmetologists, and specialists were quick to explain the phenomenon and warn of its dangers. American plastic surgeon Gary Lenkov posted a clip on YouTube, in which he explained that the growth factors used in these injections are proteins capable of stimulating tissue growth for long periods, which may lead to the continued sending of signals that stimulate tissues to grow after they enter the body. Surgeon Lenkov pointed out that this differs from traditional fillers, which mainly work to increase tissue volume, and some types can be dissolved or analyzed by the body and absorbed over time.
He added that facial growth factor injections are not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and have not, according to what was reported, been licensed by any official health authority around the world. The Chinese National Medical Products Commission banned the use of these injections in 2019, and also restricted their promotion through the media and electronic platforms.
In July 2026, both the United States and the United Kingdom issued warnings about the use of facial growth factor injections.
Dr. Lenkov’s statements are supported by the famous American surgeon Anthony Yuan, who resides in the state of Michigan, who commented on the Chinese bubble face disaster that hundreds or perhaps thousands of people are suffering from, he said, describing the injection of growth factors as a time bomb that we place with our hands inside our bodies and then wait for an unexpected response to appear on our faces without knowing how it can be treated. He warned of the possibility that these injections will cause uncontrolled cancerous growth that may spread to the surrounding tissues, according to current speculation about the nature of what they do in the cells after the injection.
What are growth factor injections?
The body naturally produces proteins known as growth factors that help it stimulate cell growth, tissue repair and regeneration, blood vessel formation and the production of collagen and elastin to promote wound healing and restoration.
Growth factor injections are defined as proteins or peptides that act as cellular mediators. They bind to receptors on the surface of target cells to stimulate a range of functions, such as growth, differentiation, and metabolism, which contributes to supporting healing processes and tissue regeneration after injuries or cellular damage.
One of its most prominent sources is platelet-rich plasma, which is extracted from the patient’s own blood and contains platelets and the associated growth factors and cytokines. It is then re-injected according to specific controls and standards and in certain cases, which reduces the possibility of allergic reactions occurring because it is derived from the patient’s own body.
Injections of autologous growth factors were first used in 1994 in maxillofacial surgery to support the bones of the lower jaw by extracting platelets from the patient’s own blood. Then they continued to develop and be used in various research areas according to strict controls, but they have only received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in one case so far, as it targeted the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers with platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF-BB).
Complications of growth factor injections according to studies
Amid the growing controversy over the validity of claims related to “growth factor” injections and their ability to safely restore youthful skin internally and externally, many have turned to specialists in search of scientific answers, especially with the increasing complications associated with these injections.
In 2023, Chinese plastic and reconstructive surgery specialist Chenlu Xiong and his colleagues published the results of a study aimed at evaluating the complications resulting from injections of growth factors into the face, from both a clinical and histological perspective, in addition to examining the effectiveness of available treatments to deal with them.
The study included 32 women with an average age of approximately 42 years, the majority of whom had previously undergone injections of growth factors into the face in unlicensed beauty centers. After a while, complications appeared, which included excessive growth of soft tissues in the face in a way that was difficult to control, in addition to increasing swelling extending under the skin, accompanied by redness in the area.
Treatment methods for these complications were limited to triamcinolone acetonide injections (from the class of corticosteroids similar to cortisone) to reduce inflammation and swelling, or through surgical procedures, as 37.5% of them received steroid injections, while 62.5% underwent surgery. Although the researchers praised the effectiveness of the treatment and the improvement of the symptoms and psychological state of the patients, 37.5% of them suffered a return of the problem again. Another after 6 months.
What is interesting is what they found during the surgical procedure, as the swelling was not just an ordinary swelling, but rather the formation of a lipoma within the muscle tissue along with enlarged fibro-adipose tissue, which was confirmed by the specialized examinations they conducted, which had previously prompted Dr. Yuan to ask whether these lipomas were a precursor to the emergence of cancer cells that might metastasize and multiply.
It is noteworthy what the doctors revealed during the surgical intervention: It turned out that the swelling was not just a passing swelling, but was associated with the formation of a lipoma within the muscle tissue, in addition to an enlargement of the fibro-adipose tissue, which was confirmed by specialized examinations. These results raised questions for Dr. Yuan about whether these lipomas might represent an early indicator of the possible emergence, metastasis, and multiplication of cancer cells.
A year later, specifically in February 2024, Dr. Ji Long from the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Military Medical University in China, along with his colleagues, published a study in which they retrospectively analyzed the results after evaluating the complications suffered by 65 people who received injections of “growth factors” at Sikheng Hospital (Xijing) during the period between 2017 and 2022, and then followed them after applying the treatment plan for a period ranging from 6 to 39 months.
The researchers designed a treatment plan for patients that included starting with drug injections for all patients, then resorting to a surgical procedure with the removal of swollen tissue or suction of the formed fat, then monitoring the level of improvement and recovery, after a group of symptoms were recorded in them as a result of receiving injections of growth factors, most notably redness, high skin temperature, itching, local swelling, and the formation of visible masses, which later worsened into ulcers and purulent secretions.
Symptoms disappeared completely in only 3 cases, while 37 patients required surgical intervention, and surgery did not achieve complete disappearance of symptoms except in 4 cases. In light of these results, the researchers expressed their concern about the complications that may result from injecting unlicensed growth factors, warning of their consequences and calling for a strict ban on their circulation and use.
Recommendations and warnings regarding growth injections
Amid the ambiguity and uncertainty surrounding how to treat complications of “growth injections” so far, in addition to some doctors refusing to even attempt surgical intervention for fear of the unknown repercussions and consequences, experts confirm that the golden advice lies in increasing the amount of awareness among social media users who may slip behind temporary advertisements that plunge them into basements from which there is no exit in pursuit of beauty, the standards of which are changing annually.
You should research in-depth and rely on reliable scientific sources before undergoing any cosmetic procedure, especially modern techniques. It is also recommended to verify the legality of the procedure and its approval by the competent authorities, and learn about the experiences and opinions of those who underwent it, in addition to seeing real pictures of the results before and after the procedure, to make an informed and considered decision.