At least 4 million people get Botox each year in the United States, making it the most popular non-invasive cosmetic treatment currently on the market. If you’re like most people, you probably think of it as a cosmetic procedure that can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. And for most people, it’s an incredibly effective treatment.
But what if we told you that there’s a danger lurking in the world of Botox? This danger comes in the form of counterfeit Botox, which is made with unsafe and unregulated ingredients.
How can you protect yourself from counterfeit Botox? By properly researching and informing yourself of the dangers and also by only visiting accredited med spas. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about counterfeit Botox along with how to find a licensed med spa like Colair Beauty Lounge & Med Spa.
The Dangers of Fake Botox
It’s important to understand what you’re injecting into your face or body. So, what is in Botox? The active ingredient in Botox is botulinum toxin, which is a protein that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
When one of Colair’s qualified Registered Nurses injects this protein into your skin, it temporarily paralyzes the muscles, which reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
While there are some potential side effects, Botox is generally safe and effective when you receive the injection from a licensed, qualified professional. So, when does it start to become dangerous? When it’s not real Botox.
Discovering the dangers of fake Botox is something quite new as well, with the FDA only somewhat recently issuing warnings about fake Botox on the market back in 2015. Later, in 2017, the FDA issued warnings about other fake injectables they’d found.
What are some of the dangers of these counterfeit injectables, including fake Botox? In some cases, counterfeit Botox and other injectables have led to paralysis of the face, hospitalization for other complications, and even death.
These potential health complications can be life-threatening, but even if a counterfeit Botox treatment doesn’t land you in the hospital, it can cause you to waste precious time and money.
People who receive a fake version of Botox often end up paying more in the long run because of the poor quality of the injection. This means that it either doesn’t last as long or results in poor results that they have to have another professional fix. That all costs time and money.
Where You Find Fake Counterfeit Products
Our goal in telling you about the dangers of fake fillers isn’t to scare you off of this cosmetic treatment entirely. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. We want to inform you of what they are and where to find these fake fillers so that you can identify and avoid them.
That being said, where might you find fake or counterfeit injectables? Typically, you can spot counterfeit Botox if it’s:
- Sold on social media: As a general rule of thumb, never purchase Botox injections from someone online. Honestly, it’s rarely ever a good idea to purchase the injections themselves.
- Coming from an unaccredited med spa: Instead, you should only be looking for Botox treatments from accredited, qualified professionals who will perform the injections themselves in a safe and sterile setting.
- Sold with a steep discount that’s too good to be true: This is also the case for the price of Botox. Most dermatologists and cosmetic professionals purchase Botox for roughly the same price. While some might charge slightly more to apply it than others, there’s likely an average price in your city or region that most offer.
If you find someone offering Botox injections for much less than that average price then it’s a good indicator that they are using fake Botox. While it can be tempting to snag a good deal on cosmetic treatment, it’s best to pair a fair price to ensure you’re getting real, quality injections.
How to Spot Fake Products
Understanding how to spot fake offers is one thing. It’s also important to understand how to spot fake products when you see them.
While you’ll want to stay away from those “too good to be true” offers mentioned above, here are a few tips on how to not only spot counterfeit Botox or fillers but also how to ensure you’re receiving treatment from a qualified professional.
Look In the Manufacturer Directory
First, look at the manufacturer of the injectable that you’re interested in. Allergan and Galderma are two big manufacturers of injectables, for example. You can find their main website and locate a list of authorized sellers in your area.
The name of the med spa you’re interested in getting the treatment from should appear on their list of authorized providers. This adds an extra layer of safety and peace of mind. Likewise, authorized providers have, in most cases, received additional training from the manufacturer.
Check the List of Licensed & Certified Nurses
Regardless of what kind of cosmetic treatment you’re getting, it’s always a good idea to research the medical or nursing license of the person who will be giving you the treatment. Yes, you can find this information even for those applying dermal fillers.
If your provider is a registered nurse, for example, you can find their information on your state’s nursing board online. All of that information is easily available to the public and, honestly, easy to find.
For example, the Arizona State Board of Nursing offers a simple link you can visit for license verification. You will need the first and last name of the nurse along with their license type. However, the search is quick and simple.
Make sure that whoever is treating you is not only currently licensed but that they’ve never had any issues with that license. If they were previously suspended for issues with other clients, this will show up on public records.
Check the Packaging
You should always request to view the box that your Botox or other dermal filler comes in. Any respectable, qualified professional will gladly show you the box to ensure that what you’re about to be injected with is real and safe.
If they object to your request then that’s definitely a red flag. If they show you the box then what should you be looking for?
Real Botox should list “OnabotulinumtoxinA” as the ingredient on the box. This is the ingredient that’s officially approved by the FDA, so if you see it listed as anything else on the box then it might be an indicator of fake Botox.
Furthermore, the box should have a US license on it so that you can ensure it’s a real, FDA-approved product. There will be a holographic sticker on the box that can also prove that it is real Botox.
This will have the manufacturer’s name on it, which you can verify as mentioned above.
If you’re ever unsure about whether or not a product is counterfeit, it’s best to err on the side of caution and not use it. Counterfeit Botox and fake fillers can cause serious health complications, so it’s not worth taking the risk.
Find a Licensed Medical Spa
Licensed med spas are medical facilities that are licensed by the state to provide cosmetic treatments. This means that they are held to a higher standard than non-licensed facilities, and they must meet certain safety and cleanliness requirements.
If you’re considering getting Botox injections and want to avoid counterfeit Botox and fake fillers then you’ve come to the right place.
At Colair Beauty Lounge & Med Spa, we are not only staffed by highly-trained and licensed medical professionals but we have been recognized by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce.
Simply put, at Colair, you’re in good hands.
Get in touch with any questions or to schedule your beauty consultation.