The aesthetics industry is largely unregulated, meaning that many practitioners use unlicensed wrinkle relaxers, counterfeit dermal fillers, and other fake products—often without clients even knowing. While these treatments may be cheaper, they come with serious risks, including complications, infections, and unpredictable results.
So, how can you protect yourself? By knowing exactly what is being injected into your face and checking for authenticity, such as hologram security labels on FDA-approved products.
The Danger of Unlicensed Aesthetic Products
Many counterfeit and unlicensed aesthetic products are sold online or imported from countries where regulations are weak. These include:
⚠️ Fake botulinum toxin (wrinkle relaxers) – Black market versions often contain unknown or dangerously high toxin levels, leading to excessive paralysis, resistance to future treatments, or even poisoning.
⚠️ Counterfeit dermal fillers – Unregulated fillers can cause severe allergic reactions, lumps, infections, or permanent disfigurement because they may contain impure, toxic, or non-sterile substances.
⚠️ Diluted or contaminated injectables – Some unethical practitioners over-dilute wrinkle relaxers or buy low-quality versions to maximize profit, leading to ineffective or dangerous results.
Because these treatments are injected directly into your face, using anything other than an authentic, FDA-approved product puts your health, safety, and appearance at serious risk.
Why FDA-Approved Products Matter
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulates aesthetic products to ensure they meet strict safety, purity, and effectiveness standards. Products that are FDA-approved have been extensively tested for:
✔️ Safety – They must undergo clinical trials proving they are safe for human use.
✔️ Purity & consistency – Each batch must meet strict manufacturing and sterilization standards.
✔️ Effectiveness – The dosage and performance of the product must be predictable and reliable.
Some of the most trusted, FDA-approved aesthetic products include:
✅ Botulinum Toxin Brands: Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin®
✅ Dermal Fillers: Juvederm®, Restylane®, Teosyal®
✅ Biostimulators: Sculptra®, Radiesse®
How to Protect Yourself from Fake Aesthetic Products
1. Check for the Hologram
Reputable brands include a hologram security label on their packaging to prove authenticity. Always ask your injector to show you the box before treatment and ensure it has an intact hologram.
2. Ask for the Product Name & Manufacturer
A legitimate aesthetic practitioner should always be transparent about what they are injecting. If they hesitate to share the brand name, batch number, or manufacturer, walk away!
3. Beware of “Too Good to Be True” Prices
If a wrinkle relaxer or filler is significantly cheaper than the market rate, it’s likely unlicensed or fake. High-quality products come at a cost, and cutting corners on safety is never worth the risk.
4. Only Visit Qualified, Ethical Practitioners
Because the industry is unregulated, anyone can buy and inject aesthetic products—even if they lack proper training. Choose a medically trained injector who uses authentic, FDA-approved products and prioritizes patient safety over profit.
Final Thoughts: Your Face Deserves the Best
In aesthetics, safety and quality should always come first. Unlicensed or counterfeit products may seem like a bargain, but they can lead to serious complications, irreversible damage, or even long-term health risks. By choosing FDA-approved injectables, verifying hologram authenticity, and trusting only qualified professionals, you can protect your beauty, health, and confidence.
Thinking about an aesthetic treatment? Book with a trusted professional who only uses FDA-approved products!