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Do-It-Yourself Botox Not a Good Idea

Counterfeit injectables could lead to serious harm

August 12, 2008

• Plastic Surgery Group Pleads Guilty In Unlicensed "Botox" Case • Cosmetic Surgeons See Wrinkle in Economic Downturn • FDA Cracks Down on Illegal Botox Scammers • Do-It-Yourself Botox Not a Good Idea • Class Action Charges Botox Killed, Injured Consumers • Botox Maker Subpoenaed By Justice Department • FDA Issues Botox Warning • Public Citizen Wants Stricter Botox Warnings • A New Wrinkle: Botox Users May Become "Addicted" --- • Consumer Complaints

Thinking about giving yourself a Botox treatment to tighten up some of those wrinkles? The Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety says you might want to give it a little more thought.

The coalition is cautioning consumers worldwide about the risks of buying cosmetic injectables from online sources. Websites like Amazon.com, e-Bay and Web pharmacies are among just a few of the online resources offering prescription-free Botox, Restylane, or a knock off brand of cosmetic injectables to any buyer.

The coalition warns consumers that safe, genuine cosmetic injectables may be legally purchased only by licensed physicians, and should only be injected by one's treating physician.

"Caveat emptor applies when buying any product online from an unknown source or a reseller like e-Bay or Amazon; it presents a real danger when buying purported cosmetic injectables. The buyer has no idea if its product is genuine or safe," said coalition leader Mark Jewell, MD.

"There's a possibility the product has been obtained illegally, stored improperly or packaged incorrectly. All of these things can lead to poor outcomes including disfigurement, infection or in some cases even death. It is in your best interest to seek out a qualified physician and not take the risk from buying online," he said.

The coalition warns that cosmetic injectables require both a diagnosis and prescription by a licensed, qualified physician.

"The success of any cosmetic injection relies heavily on two very important factors -- your doctor and the brand of injectable," Jewell said. "The expertise and training of your physician and the relationship you have with that physician and the proven track record of an authentic and properly prescribed and administered injectable mean the difference between a good or negative outcome."

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