DIY Botox at Home: Dangers and Risks

by Luke Wilson

It doesn’t take a genius to see the benefits of anti-aging injectable treatments, like BOTOX®, Restylane or Juvederm™. But, it does take a qualified skin care specialist to administer the injections. Of course, there’s always someone who thinks they can do it better than the experts, making "do-it-yourself" BOTOX, and the corresponding mishaps, a disturbing trend.

In this economic climate, saving money is on everyone’s mind, and cosmetic procedures are no exception. But, buyer beware! At-home BOTOX could have disastrous results. Make sure you find a qualified medical professional to perform the treatment. Instructional videos on sites like YouTube can make the average person feel like a professional, even without medical experience. And, shoddy BOTOX knock-offs are often sold online as the real thing. The only foolproof way to ensure that your BOTOX treatments are done safely and effectively is to go to a qualified medical professional or skincare specialist. They have the experience to recognize the real thing and administer the treatment safely.

Laurie D’Alleva’s recent court case regarding her unlawful sale of BOTOX and other prescription products online is a perfect example of the at-home BOTOX trend. Her now-defunct site, DiscountMedspa.com, marketed pharmaceutical-grade cosmetics, similar to BOTOX, Dysport and Restylane, and claimed that do-it-yourself BOTOX was a safe, cheap and easy alternative to a doctor or medspa. She also provided links to instructional YouTube videos that showed her performing the injections on herself. In November 2009, the Texas Attorney General took D’Alleva to court after an undercover investigator discovered what she was doing. The case was finally resolved early June to the tune of $125,000 that D’Alleva has agreed to pay the state. It goes to show, DIY BOTOX may be cheap in the short run, but you will probably end up paying big time later.

ABC’s 20/20 report on DIY cosmetics last December also documented the practices of DiscountMedspa.com, as well as other websites that sell pharmaceutical-grade cosmetics online. One of the consumers interviewed, named “Alex” in the report, was a paramedic who thought that DIY injections would be easy, given her background in medicine. But, the day after injecting herself near the eyes and mouth, she woke up with large, lumpy bags under her eyes and an infected pustule on her cheek. Not a pretty picture! Fortunately, she immediately visited a dermatologist and was able to reverse the treatment. But, not before getting quite a scare!

This is certainly not good for BOTOX’s image, but don’t let others’ mistakes make you think that BOTOX is bad. After all, it was the first FDA-approved wrinkle removal injection and has been used for that purpose for decades. Under the right supervision, BOTOX has fantastic results. It effectively treats wrinkles around the mouth, naso-labial folds, crow’s feet between the eyebrows (glabellar lines), and has many other uses. The treatment itself can take less than 15 minutes, and most people return to normal activities the next day without any tell-tale signs that they have had a dermal filler.

If you are considering DIY BOTOX, remember that it is a toxin – albeit one that has stunning, age-defying results. The botulism toxin is a dangerous substance, but during a BOTOX treatment, the amount injected is so miniscule that it only affects a small, local area. Still, the risks associated with it are such that tempting fate by doing-it-yourself is just not a smart move. It takes an in-depth knowledge of facial musculature and experience with the product itself to perform the injections safely and effectively.

To connect with qualified, experienced skincare professionals and dermatologists in your area who can perform BOTOX injections and other wrinkle removal treatments safely and effectively, contact us today! Our representatives are here to help you find a doctor with whom you feel comfortable, answer any questions and set up a personal consultation with a local medspa or skincare doctor.