Avoiding the Dangers of Counterfeit Botox: A Guide to Safe and Effective Treatment
With last month’s (October 2023) seizure of counterfeit Botox in Northern Ireland, the threat of fake Botox products circulating in the market has again reared its ugly head. The risk of harm from these unregulated products is significant, and it’s vitally important for anyone considering treatments to arm themselves and understand how to avoid making an extremely costly mistake.
The Risks of Counterfeit Botox
Counterfeit Botox poses several risks. Unlicensed and unregulated, these products lack quality control and do not meet legal standards. They may contain harmful substances or incorrect dosages, leading to serious health risks. Side effects can include bruising, lumps, droopiness, botulism poisoning, and partial paralysis. Botox is already something that should be administered with utmost care. Throw fake products into the equation, and you are looking at something that could end in disaster.
Tips to Avoid Counterfeit Botox
- Verify the Practitioner’s Credentials: Ensure that the provider is a fully registered medical professional with specialised training in administering Botox. All doctors and nurses should have received specialist training. If you don’t see this mentioned, ask if you are unsure. People don’t really ask this of us, but we are always happy to show any certification.
- Look at the Box: If in any doubt, ask to examine the Botox packaging: Authentic Botox is produced by Allergan and will have the word onabotulinumtoxinA on the side. Look for the branded logo on the packaging that says ‘Allergan’ to confirm its authenticity, although if it has come to this stage, there must already be red flags.
- Be Wary of Unusual Pricing: Extremely low prices can be a red flag for counterfeit products. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. You should never see clinics offering deals on Botox.
- Check the Clinic’s Reputation: Research the clinic’s history, read reviews, and ask for before-and-after photos of previous patients. If they have consented, you will be allowed to see them. As is the case with every service, you may see one or two not-so-good reviews as people’s level of expectation can vary widely. You will be able to get an exact idea from the overall score. Please be aware that certain clinics will be asking their friends to write reviews. One point about using a clinic with an excellent reputation is that they will want to protect it by not cutting corners and only giving the best service. Look for an established clinic with either CQC regulation or one of the various organisations, such as Saveface, which will give you an extra layer of protection.
- Ask About the Product Source: If you still have doubts, inquire where the clinic sources its Botox. Reputable clinics will have a transparent (and fully logged) supply chain and direct relationships with manufacturers.
- Watch for Professionalism: The clinic and its staff should maintain high professionalism. Be cautious of any aesthetics clinic that seems to avoid questions about their products or practices. A bonafide clinic will be only too happy to talk. This is something we are happy to do at the Doctors Laser Clinic.
- Understand the Procedure: A knowledgeable practitioner will explain the procedure, the product used, and any potential side effects. If you have already looked up this information from more than one source beforehand, you can compare it with what the clinic says to you.
- Avoid Online Purchases: Never ever buy Botox online. It should only be administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a clinical setting. As a prescription is required for Botox, this would be a massive red flag.
The Doctors Laser Clinic
Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions about the products we use or services we perform here at The Doctors Laser Clinic.
