A doctor could face disciplinary action for disfiguring a patient whose cheeks were injected with an unapproved cosmetic filler.
The woman wanted the procedure, where parts of the skin are plumped up with a gel to remove wrinkles, to achieve a healthier appearance.
But she was left with nine inflamed lumps on her face and scarring when attempts were made to remove them.
Health and Disability Commissioner Anthony Hill found the doctor was wrong to use an unapproved filler and not tell the patient about how harmful it could be.
After the procedure, the woman developed inflamed lumps on her cheeks where the gel had been injected. Surgery to remove the lumps then caused scarring.
The commissioner found the doctor did not give the patient proper follow-up care or keep any clinical records of her treatment.
The director of proceedings will now decide whether the matter should be referred to the Medical Council to decide if disciplinary action should be taken against the doctor.
