Aesthetic Medicine

With the economic crunch causing people across the country to tighten up their belts, it’s not surprising that at-home treatments are growing in popularity as people try to avoid the additional cost of visiting a physician. While people may accomplish a lower price point, they also run a significant risk of harm to themselves.

Injectables such as Botox, Dysport, and Juvederm, as well as dermatological treatments such as chemical peels require special training for proper use, as several women have found out. More and more horror stories are popping up in the media and through my colleagues.

I hear about paramedics, who think that they can handle giving themselves dermal injections since they use needles daily. They use products that claim to be a facial filler to plump up wrinkles. They inject these products under the eyes and near the mouth. They feel fine at first, but the next morning they wake up with huge bags under the eyes and a large pustule on the cheeks.

This DIY practice is extremely dangerous: a few millimeters off, you can puncture your eyeball or hit a blood vessel, possibly causing blindness.

I hear about people buying dermal filler products from some websites that may look legitimate, but are not authorized to dispense prescription drugs. These websites state that the products they sell are similar to Dysport, Botox and other injectables. Customers are instructed to watch a video and start injecting themselves away.

FYI, both Dysport and Botox carry a black-box label, meaning they have a risk of serious side effects. While the risk is low, there is concern that the toxin can spread and cause severe and even deadly respiratory problems. Both products belong only in the hands of trained professionals. Generic products are not approved by FDA, and may contain harmful substances. Beware of  the illegal sale of prescription drugs online, and please do not inject yourself.

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your needs and the options we can offer. Our charges are very competitive and you will have a peace of mind that the procedure is done correctly and by a physician.