When used correctly, Botox and dermal fillers (like Juvederm and Restylane) are some of the safest compounds in medicine. Unfortunately, poor federal oversight has allowed a number of unqualified practitioners to capitalize on the popularity of these injectable treatments. As a result, people have reported complications ranging from unsightly cosmetic issues (like the dreaded “frozen” look) to painful medical problems, such as nerve damage. In rare cases, patients have even been hospitalized after being injected with unregulated knockoff compounds. Before you have any kind of cosmetic injection, you should therefore familiarize yourself with the “red flags” that may indicate an injector is poorly trained.
3 Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore when Choosing an Injector
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Your injector seems willing to work anywhere.
While the idea of having your Botox or filler injector show up at your house, workplace, or hotel room seems very convenient, it’s a clear sign that hygiene isn’t your injector’s top priority. Many people who offer to make Botox or filler “house calls” lack any specific training and don’t have an office of their own—because they aren’t medical professionals at all. This is roughly the equivalent of letting a random stranger give you cosmetic injections, so it’s incredibly risky. Cosmetic injections should only be administered in a sterile clinical setting (like a plastic surgeon’s office), never in a private residence, non-medical spa, or salon.
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Your injector isn’t a board-certified plastic surgeon or registered nurse with specific training.
Even if you know that you should never let a hairdresser or manicurist give you Botox injections, it’s still possible to choose an under-qualified practitioner. Today, many doctors and nurses offer in-office cosmetic injections, and patients feel safe with this option because they know they’re working with medical professionals. However, while it’s true that doctors and nurses know how to administer medical injections, they often lack the specific training needed to create aesthetically pleasing Botox and filler results.
Injecting too much Botox or filler, or injecting these compounds in the wrong areas, can result in a stiff, unpleasant look. Injectors therefore need to develop an in-depth knowledge of facial anatomy and cosmetic injection techniques before they can properly administer these treatments. Because doctors and nurses don’t get this kind of training at medical school, there’s no guarantee you’ll get the results you want when you visit them. For best results, you should always see a board-certified plastic surgeon (or a registered nurse working alongside one) for aesthetic injections.
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The price looks too good to be true.
Botox and dermal filler injections are some of the most affordable cosmetic treatments available. Still, it’s wise to be wary when an injector offers rates far below the average cost of treatment in your area.
Medical professionals have to charge the rates they do because maintaining a clinic and employing trained staff costs money. Ergo, if someone is offering you a bargain on injections, it’s usually a sign that they aren’t properly qualified. More dangerous still, they may be using completely unregulated knockoff compounds, which are often very toxic. If you encounter one of these compounds, your medical bills will end up costing you far more than authentic Botox or filler injections ever would.
The low cost and excellent safety profile of Botox, Juvederm, and Restylane have combined to make injectable treatments extremely popular. Still, we should never let this fool us into thinking cosmetic injections are anything other than a medical procedure. Having a safe, satisfying injection experience means working with trained experts in a clinical setting—like the Ritacca Laser Center. For more information on Botox or dermal fillers, contact our team to arrange a personal consultation.
