In recent years, non-surgical cosmetic treatments have become more accessible and extremely popular. Unfortunately, the availability of counterfeit products, such as fake fillers and fake botox are also on the rise. If you are considering cosmetic injections, it’s important to know that you’re getting the real deal. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself from fake injectable products.
Counterfeit Injectables 101
With the evolution of online sales, counterfeit products in the aesthetic industry is a serious and growing problem. Now, almost anything can be counterfeited and sold globally to the general public. While it may seem harmless to purchase a knock off handbag, the same cannot be said for fake drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices.
I have discovered just how far-reaching this issue of counterfeit injectables has become when recently, I too began receiving email ads for these products. Just a quick search for “cosmetic fillers online” resulted in several sites claiming to sell real botox and fillers. The growing popularity and demand for cosmetic treatments have bred an underground industry of unscrupulous characters profiting from unsuspecting consumers looking for a deal.
Credible Cosmetic Injection Products: The Real Deal
All cosmetic injection products legally sold in Canada are brand name and have gone through rigorous oversight by Health Canada in regards to science and safety. There are no “generic” neurotoxins or fillers approved by Health Canada. Presently, there are only four companies in Canada authorized to distribute these drugs and medical devices;
Allergan (Botox, Juvederm, Voluma)
Galderma (Dysport, Restylane)
Merz (Xeomin, Boletero, Radiesse)
Clarion (Nuceiva, Teosyal)
Each of these companies sells directly to physicians, not through third parties online. Other neuromodulators and filler brands sold online may be approved in other countries that have less stringent regulations for public safety. They are not legal to obtain or use in Canada. The bottom line is if you or your injector obtains and uses an unregulated brand or counterfeit in Canada or the US, you just have no idea what you are getting. It’s comparable to playing Russian Roulette with your face, your body, and your health.
Risks of Counterfeit Cosmetic Injectables
You may ask “Why should I be so concerned about fake fillers or fake botox”? The truth is, you just have no idea what is actually in that illegally obtained syringe or how it will affect you. It is common for illegal and unregulated injectables to not contain what they advertise. They may contain diluted products that are ineffective and will not give you the result you wanted. In this case, not only have you taken a risk with an unknown, you have wasted your hard-earned money. Alternatively, counterfeit filler could contain silicone, which when injected may result in permanent deformities or death. With counterfeit and unregulated products you can never be sure of the conditions under which they were manufactured. Brand names are held to standards for quality and sterility, whereas fakes may be made and packaged in someone’s garage. You have no way of knowing whether they contain harmful contaminants like chemicals or infectious bacteria or viruses that should not be injected into our bodies. It is not worth the risk at any price.
How to Protect Yourself from Counterfeit Injectables: The Red Flags
While everyone likes a bargain, your face is not the place to skimp on your budget. Be particularly cautious of deeply discounted prices on cosmetic treatments. Remember the old adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”. All Health Canada authorized injectable neuromodulators and fillers are priced about the same when sold to physicians, therefore the variability of pricing is minimal. Yes, the treatments are an investment. You are paying for the cost of the product and more importantly, the expertise and qualifications of the injector. That said, you should choose your injector wisely. Research their credentials, website, and reputation. Some practices should raise alarms. If an injector is practicing out of a residence, a hotel or other non-clinical setting, don’t take the risk. If they tell you they have purchased products online or are doing “cash only” work to pass savings on to you, they are demonstrating their negligence and lack of integrity. You may become the next victim of their fraud.
Tips for Seeking a Reputable Cosmetic Physician
If you’re considering cosmetic injections, don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you feel uncomfortable with the answers, then don’t proceed with any treatment. Asking to see the product packaging is helpful, however, counterfeit packaging is often hard to discern from authentic. Ask the injector what products they use, where they purchase and ask to have a copy of the product sticker or lot number on your receipt. If they will not readily provide this information, you should look elsewhere. Reputable cosmetic physician practices will welcome your questions. For your safety, it is important that the injector uses Health Canada regulated brands. The good news is that with regulated products in the hands of a qualified and experienced cosmetic injector, complications are uncommon.
At Dr. Andrea Hickey Medical Aesthetics, we want you to trust us with your cosmetic procedure history as it is important for your care. Please tell us if you feel you may have been injected with something that was not what you believed it to be. Above all else, don’t try to inject yourself or a friend. As easy as it may appear on video clips, it takes years of medical training to learn the intricate anatomy of the face and to develop injection skills. In untrained hands, the results can be devastating.
The choices for cosmetic treatments can be overwhelming. I hope to share my knowledge with prospective clients so that their decisions are informed and safety-minded. Contact Dr. Andrea Hickey Medical Aesthetics to learn more about cosmetic injections.