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Cosmetic Injectables Safety

When seeking facial rejuvenation with cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers, your safety is of the utmost importance. Below, we have provided some key information that can help you achieve safe, effective results:

What level of training or licensure is required to administer injectables or fillers?

Treating a patient with injectables or dermal fillers is a medical procedure and should be subject to the same precautions of any medical procedure. Patients should receive these types of treatments from a qualified medical provider. Many states have rather loose regulations that have given non-physicians and even non-medical personnel the ability to purchase and inject these treatments. When choosing a physician, it is extremely important to ask about board certification, as well as the provider’s experience with using these medical treatments.

I have been invited to a “BOTOX^® Party” at a friend’s house. Is this a good idea?

The American Society of Plastic Surgery (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Volume 118, Number 3S, ASPS/ASAPS Advisory p. 1315) states that non-clinical settings such as shopping malls, private homes, office parties, and group social gatherings are inappropriate settings for BOTOX^® injections (as well as other cosmetic injectables and/or dermal fillers), for the following reasons:

• Patients have not been selected properly.
• There may be peer pressure to receive a treatment.
• Persons who provide the treatments may not be properly trained to administer the injectable or filler, and therefore would not be qualified to assess or treat potential complications.
• In some cases, there is no documentation or control over the dosage given. These treatments may be over-diluted, which decreases the period of effectiveness.
• Inadequate post-treatment care and supervision.
• The possibility of using alcohol or illegal drugs prior to injectable treatments (or using for post-procedure pain)—this can lead to complications that may require emergency care.
• The decision to have a medical procedure should be made without the influence of alcohol or peer pressure. The use of alcohol or other mind-altering substances impairs the ability of the patient to consent to the treatment.

In summary, medical procedures are best performed by a board-certified physician in a clinical setting. Patients need to do their homework before having fillers and toxins injected into their face and neck. Look for board-certified plastic surgeons or dermatologists, and be sure to have your procedure performed in a clinical setting while not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.