The Dangers of DIY Injectables

Dr. David Stoker

A patient receives a dermal filler injection from an experienced professional.

Everyone loves a good do-it-yourself project, especially one that saves money. However, there are some things you should never do yourself. When it comes to injectables or a “liquid facelift” in Los Angeles, it’s best to leave it to the plastic surgeons. At the end of the day, these “projects” are serious medical procedures, and treating them as anything else can have dire, permanent consequences.

In this blog post, we’ll go over the dangers of attempting at-home injectable treatments and explain why it’s so important to choose a qualified, experienced doctor to perform your procedure.

The DIY Doctor Trend

Injectables have become a huge staple of the plastic surgery world in recent years, and their popularity continues to grow. With minimal invasiveness and a variety of indications, they offer a fast and less intense solution for patients who aren’t ready to commit to facelift surgery. As the injectables wave swept through, so did a crop of knockoff products, gimmicky alternatives, and unqualified providers claiming to deliver the same results.

Unfortunately, these sources are often completely unregulated, which means the FDA­­­, or any organization for that matter, has no way of knowing what is actually in the products. One horrifying case involved a woman who purchased off-market buttock fillers—only to later find out she had been injected with bathroom caulk.

When you work with a certified practitioner, they can show you the exact products they’ll be using, so that you know they were purchased from an FDA-approved distributor.

Don’t Believe It Because You See It

A particularly upsetting trend in the DIY medical world is the rise of at-home injectable treatments that encourage patients to perform injections on themselves. These companies create videos and ads that showcase models walking viewers through the “harmless” and “simple” process, never mentioning the significant medical training required to be able to safely deliver injections.

The result? Best-case scenario: swelling, bruising, and scarring around the injection site. Worst-case scenario: necrosis, blindness, and even death. No matter how easy a video tutorial may make it seem, performing injections is a medical action that should only be performed by qualified individuals who have completed the necessary training. Unless you are an experienced medical professional, this does not include you.

Securing a Safe Treatment

The only way to know your injectable treatment is completely safe is to visit a board-certified practitioner who is qualified both to purchase legitimate products and administer injections properly. When provided by a safe source, these treatments can provide attractive solutions for concerns from wrinkles to nose contouring. A great doctor will work with you to determine the best treatment options for your needs and make sure you’re comfortable and informed throughout the process.

If you would like to learn more about injectables or facelift options from a board-certified plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, please contact us online or call (310) 300-1779.

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