By: Ruth Kerrison
Created on 25th March 2010
Buying Botox online is frighteningly easy, and with the credit crunch in full swing, the opportunity to get your wrinkle freezing fix without breaking the bank could be very tempting. Recently, a few enterprising folk have even made instructional videos, marketed virally via video sharing websites such as YouTube, demonstrating how to inject yourself with the drug. So what's the big deal? We've spoken to some of the top movers and shakers in the aesthetics industry to find out exactly why DIY Botox is such a bad idea...
Wendy Lewis, Independent Cosmetic Surgery Consultant
"Although it may seem to a consumer who is not up to speed on cosmetic beauty treatments that botulinum toxin is a ‘cosmetic' product akin to a cream, it is actually a drug that is only licensed for healthcare professionals to use. Unless you have a proper degree (MD, DDS, RN, etc), and have been trained to inject drugs into humans, injecting yourself with a potent medication is simply preposterous.
Dermatologists and other doctors inject themselves with botulinum toxin all the time, which is reasonable. But for a lay person to cavalierly purchase what is known to be classified as a drug from erroneous sources illegally and use it on themselves (or heaven forbid on others) is dangerous. I cannot imagine why they would think they could get it right without training and an understanding of facial musculature and anatomy. Don't do this at home!"
Janet Kettels, Head of Communications, Allergan, manufacturer of Botox®/Vistabel®
"Botox® and Vistabel® are pharmaceutical medicines available via prescription only and the administration of these products is considered a medical procedure. They need to be administered by qualified, licensed and trained healthcare professionals, in a clinical setting - it is NOT a patient self-administered treatment.
Allergan advocates that consumers interested in receiving Botox® or Vistabel® visit a reputable, appropriately trained and qualified aesthetic healthcare practitioner in the UK.
Allergan does not support BOTOX®/VISTABEL® for sale through online channels. Allergan has stringent procedures in place that controls how we distribute VISTABEL®/ BOTOX®. At Allergan, VISTABEL®/BOTOX® is sold to registered healthcare professionals as defined by UK legislation."
Dr Paul Cronin, Cosmetic Doctor and Chief Examiner of the BACD
"When I reviewed one of these ‘instructional' videos, I found it most interesting. Having done self-injection of botulinum toxin for demonstration purposes I was aware that the biggest problem was seeing the syringe during the injection to make sure the correct dosage was applied.
There were several problems with the video. She touched the top of the ampoule with her finger - infection risk. She also stated that it becomes inert on exposure to air which is untrue and potentially dangerous.
Buying botulinum toxin over the internet is never a good idea, but trying to suggest that a video can show you how to inject yourself is very dangerous. The dosage suggested is potentially far too large and the accuracy of injecting into your own face is questionable. I only hope no-one has been foolish enough to attempt this procedure under her guidance."
Dr Richard Sibthorpe, Cosmetic Doctor and London Chair of the BACD
"Botulinum toxin should only be administered by a qualified medical professional with training in this procedure. It's not even a procedure that any doctor should do without proper training. Most responsible doctors will go on courses and will belong to accredited organisations
such as the BACD.
There are so many pitfalls if you don't know your facial anatomy. Who will correct the mistakes? The reputable pharmaceutical firms recognise the importance of anatomy training - Galderma in particular offers excellent training for Azzalure, taking doctors back to basics and ensuring they are fully knowledgeable in facial anatomy before administering botulinum toxins. Even the mandatory five years basic medical training that UK doctors go through will not equip them with the practical skills necessary to give botulinum toxin properly."
