Botox is a Perfectly Safe Wrinkle Reducer…As Long as You’re Getting the Real Thing

Whether you’ve already had Botox injections or you’re thinking about seeking treatment for the first time, it’s becoming more and more important to do your homework before scheduling an appointment. Even though Botox has long been considered safe and is FDA-approved, there has been a recent rise in counterfeit Botox being shipped to the U.S., along with more and more untrained, unlicensed professionals administering the injections.

Today more than ever, the only way to make sure what’s going into your body is safe—and that you get the results you’re looking for—is to see an authorized provider who cares about your health. This is one key reason to see a (board certified) dermatologist who offers Botox in their office, as many Forefront dermatologists do. They will be able to care for you and your skin as only a doctor can.

How to spot a bad batch of Botox

In light of recent events that led to the hospitalization of 19 people who received bad Botox, the FDA issued a report to warn healthcare professionals and consumers about fake Botox. The agency determined the unsafe Botox was likely  purchased from unlicensed sources, which can result in misbranded, contaminated, or improperly stored products.

There is an ongoing investigation with the FDA, Center of Diseases Control (CDC), and Botox manufacturer, AbbVie, to remove counterfeit Botox from the market. To support this effort, the FDA has provided ways to identify bad Botox. While patients aren’t always shown the packaging before injections are administered, it’s a good idea for them to ask to see it. Signs of counterfeit Botox include:

• The outer carton is not written in English.
• The outer carton and vial reads 150-unit dosage. FDA-approved vials come in units of 50, 100, or 200.
• The outer carton and vial contain incorrect lot number, C3709C3.
• The outer carton lists the active ingredient as “Botulinum Toxin Type A”  instead of “OnabotulinumtoxinA”.

If any of these are present on a label, patients should refuse treatment and report the suspected fake Botox to the FDA.

Why counterfeit Botox is so dangerous

Botulinum toxin (the main ingredient in Botox) is made from a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism if it enters the bloodstream in its pure form. Botulism is a rare illness that attacks the body’s nerves, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and even death if not treated quickly. To make authentic Botox safe for cosmetic use, scientists remove the live bacteria so it’s not dangerous to the nervous system. As an additional safety measure, licensed practitioners are trained to inject Botox shallow enough that it does not enter the bloodstream, and they know the safest dose to administer that will soften wrinkles and fine lines without truly paralyzing the muscles.

If a patient receives real Botox injections from a properly trained, licensed provider, it’s normal to experience a few mild side effects like swelling, redness, soreness, or bruising in the treated area. These dissipate quickly and are not cause for concern. But if blurred or double vision, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and shortness of breath are experienced after treatment, fake Botox was probably used. These are signs of botulism and require immediate medical attention.

The best ways to avoid a bad Botox experience

The most promising way to lower your risk of receiving fake Botox is to avoid being treated by untrained individuals. Spa treatments or at-home “Botox parties” may seem like a fun idea, but they are likely to be offered by injectors who are not properly trained, and who may have even purchased a bad batch of Botox to reduce expenses.

A board-certified dermatologist or clinician who practices in a medical facility, like the ones at Forefront Dermatology, not only have the proper training to administer neurotoxins, but they also know how to detect an unsafe product. They will never risk their patients’ health by buying a cheaper version, and will only buy supplies from trusted sources in the medical field.

When you search for a Forefront practice near you, you will find a trusted group of professionals that never cuts corners or tries to save money by buying dangerous products. If you’re ready to see fewer lines and wrinkles and feel confident the product used to get them is safe, contact Forefront Dermatology today.