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May 28, 2024
Avoid Fake BOTOX®: 3 Essential Tips
“Faux-tox” is making headlines.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that injections of counterfeit or mishandled botulinum toxin (aka BOTOX®) made people sick.
Arthur Turko, MD, FACS, a plastic surgeon at Plastic + Hand Surgical Associates in Portland, Maine, helps break this down for us and shares the top three ways to get your BOTOX® injections safely.
- Get all medication from reputable sources.
“With expensive products like BOTOX®, some unscrupulous people may try to capitalize on that with counterfeit products that look like the real thing,” says Dr. Turko.
Fake products aren’t limited to BOTOX®, though. Counterfeit versions of fillers, medicines, and new weight loss injectables are also out there.
Fake products are not controlled, monitored, or regulated in the same way as authentic products. This means you can run into:
- Improper sterilization and contamination issues.
- Different side effects from lab-altered products.
- Increased risk for complications, including infections.
“The bottom line is if you’re putting any kind of medication into your body, make sure it’s from a reputable source,” adds Dr. Turko.
- Only rely on licensed and trained BOTOX® injectors.
Counterfeit BOTOX® can fool many people. Unlicensed or untrained individuals might not even know it’s a knockoff product before they inject you.
The CDC recommends you seek urgent medical care (and contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) if you experience any symptoms of botulism, including:
- Blurry or double-vision
- Drooping eyelids
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Muscle weakness
There are also risks with authentic BOTOX® if you go to an unqualified person or facility.
“Even if people have the best intentions, their environment might not be clean,” explains Dr. Turko. “This bacteria contamination can lead to inflammation, swelling, infection, or an abnormal appearance. You’re also at risk for tissue death (necrosis) or other issues that are often unfixable.”
You need a licensed healthcare provider specializing in BOTOX® injections for the best protection.
“Without these credentials, you’re also at risk to get injections in the wrong place or the wrong amounts,” he adds. “You don’t want this unnecessary complication.”
- Do your homework on BOTOX® providers.
BOTOX® is an excellent option to smooth wrinkles on your face and maintain a youthful appearance.
If BOTOX® is right for you, here’s a simple checklist to get your injections safely:
- Find a reputable facility with licensed, trained healthcare providers, especially board-certified plastic surgeons.
- Know that “training” is not licensure. This basic training certification (often online) is easy to obtain but insufficient. You need a licensed medical professional to administer any injection.
- Remember, this is a medical procedure. BOTOX® injections should always be administered in a clean medical office to prevent complications.
- Make sure your facility orders products directly from an authorized source.
“When you get BOTOX® at Plastic + Hand, you’re getting these injections performed by a plastic surgeon who understands the layers of the face like no one else can,” says Dr. Turko. “We can help you achieve your aesthetic goals most effectively and safely.”
Do you have questions about BOTOX® or other injectables?
Plastic + Hand is the most trusted team for injectables in Portland, Maine.
We offer:
- BOTOX® COSMETIC
- JUVÉDERM® VOLBELLA®
- JUVÉDERM® VOLLURE® XC
- JUVÉDERM® Ultra Plus XC
- JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA® XC
- KYBELLA® XC
- RHA2
- DYSPORT
- DAXXIFY
If you’re new to injectables, book a consultation with us. If you decide to have injections in this same appointment, we’ll waive your $50 consult fee.
We’re committed to providing the results you seek with the respect and compassion you deserve. The first step begins here. Call us at 207-775-3446 or submit this request form to get started.
