When it comes to dermal fillers, you may be tempted to buy them online. This is because it can be cheaper than buying them from a professional aesthetician. However, there are several reasons why you should not purchase dermal fillers online. In this blog post, we will discuss the dangers of buying dermal fillers online and why you should see an experienced aesthetician instead!
DIY INJECTABLES
DIY injectables are a trend where people are buying dermal fillers online and performing the injections themselves. While this trend has been around for some time, recently it has started to become more popular due to a high availability of dermal fillers online coupled with various social media “how to” videos.
One reason why people choose to buy dermal fillers online is because it costs less. However, in many cases the reason it costs less is because you are buying a counterfeit product. For example, many dermal fillers found online have actually been found to contain varying amounts of silicone, which may or may not be intended for human use. In some cases, unsterile ingredients may also be found in these so-called “dermal fillers“, making an allergic reaction or infection more likely.
Not only that, but counterfeit fillers are hard to correct once they have been injected. For example, people who go the DIY route tend to use too much filler, which causes the treatment area to look “overfilled”. Normally when this happens, an enzyme known as hyaluronidase is injected to dissolve the excess hyaluronic acid. Unfortunately, however, since counterfeit fillers are rarely made of only HA, this means that the “filler” cannot be dissolved. In many cases, surgical intervention becomes necessary to remove whatever was injected into the face.
An Allure representative contacted a couple of dermal filler companies to ask whether they sell directly to consumers. Representatives from the manufacturers of Restylane and Juvederm both note that they do not sell directly to consumers online. This means that the products available online are either fake or have been obtained illegally. Even in cases where the product is legitimate, it may be expired, discarded, or even stolen.
THE DANGERS OF DIY INJECTABLES
Although social media videos can be helpful for hair and makeup techniques, they are not appropriate when it comes to injecting dermal fillers. In fact, many of these videos gloss over important safety information and can lead people to believe that they are capable of performing injections on themselves without any risks. However, the unfortunate reality is that there are several dangers associated with DIY injectables, including:
Poor Results
One of the most minor things that could go wrong is that the results can appear lumpy, overfilled, or uneven. In many cases, this is due to a lack of experience when it comes to injecting dermal fillers properly. However, in some cases it can also be due to counterfeit ingredients and/or the body’s reaction to the filler. In any case, your results may not look as flawless as you expected.
Infection
When injecting dermal fillers at home, there is a greater risk of infection because the area is not cleaned and sterilized properly. The risk of infection is further compounded in cases where the filler itself is composed of unsanitary ingredients. Poor injection technique can also lead to skin ulcers, rashes, or swelling.
Scarring
Scarring can occur when injecting dermal fillers at home if the needle is not inserted correctly or if too much filler is injected. Scarring can also occur when you inadvertently inject the filler into a blood vessel.
Nerve Damage
Nerve damage can occur when injecting dermal fillers at home if the needle is not inserted correctly. There are a variety of nerves that run through the facial tissues and if you are not familiar with facial anatomy, there is a very real chance that you may accidentally hit a nerve while trying to inject a dermal filler. Hitting a nerve can result in facial paralysis or Bell’ palsy.
Hitting a Blood Vessel
As mentioned above, scarring can result from injecting a filler into a blood vessel. In addition to scarring, injecting filler into a blood vessel can cause the vessel to become blocked. Depending on the location of the blood vessel, reduced blood supply can lead to skin necrosis or permanent vision loss. In the case that you accidentally inject dermal filler into an artery, there is the possibility of a stroke.
WHY YOU SHOULD SEE AN AESTHETICIAN
When it comes to dermal fillers, it is always best to see an experienced aesthetician. Yes, it will cost you more than it would online, however it significantly decreases the risk of complications and increases the likelihood that you will be satisfied with your results. An aesthetician will be able to help you select the right type of filler, has a thorough knowledge of facial anatomy, and will ensure that the injections are performed correctly. Furthermore, if any complications occur after the injections, an aesthetician will be able to help you resolve them safely and effectively.
