A quick internet search by anyone interested in receiving the benefits of BOTOX Cosmetic will show countless advertisements offering consumers the opportunity to receive BOTOX injections for as little as $7 per unit. Although your first reaction may be to jump at the opportunity to look younger at such a little cost, experts warn that such promotions are dangerous and should be avoided, as was recently reported in the St. Petersburg Times.
In 2009 alone, there were more than 2.5 million injections of BOTOX performed, making it the most frequently requested cosmetic procedure. With those numbers expected to rise yearly, the number of BOTOX providers has also risen. In addition to Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeons, BOTOX injections are now being administered by General Surgeons, Otolaryngologists, Dermatologists, Gynecologists, Family Practitioners, Nurses, and Spa Aestheticians to name a few. Many of the lesser experienced injectors attempt to attract their customers with low prices. Although the effects of BOTOX are not permanent, incorrectly administering the neurotoxin or using illegal product from a foreign country can lead to serious complications, and displeasing cosmetic results which cannot be reversed for at least 4 months.
A spokeswoman for BOTOX manufacturer, Allergan, stated: “Only a licensed and trained physician with experience in aesthetic medicine should administer BOTOX Cosmetic as this is a technique-sensitive procedure and one that should only be administered in a proper medical setting, like a doctor’s office.”
Patients are advised to find Board Certified Surgeons with experience in administering BOTOX. Make sure that the Neurotoxin being used is the authentic BOTOX Cosmetic supplied by Allergen, Inc. as labelled on the vial. Lastly, beware of prices that are too good to be true, as they likely are, and the product is often diluted in more saline than required making the effect weaker.