How To Avoid ‘Fake’ Fillers
People often mistakenly assume that because the soft-gel fillers used to add volume to the skin are non-surgical, there’s no need to worry about risks associated with them. While filler treatments are not as invasive as plastic surgery, they are still medical procedures that should be handled with care by a qualified injector. When performed this way, the likelihood of complications is reduced significantly. Unskilled providers, however, have a higher chance of causing disastrous results—especially if they use products that are not researched and approved by the FDA. With the prevalence of illegal filler products being sold online and the promotion of extremely dangerous DIY injections, it’s more important than ever to do your own research before choosing fillers like JUVÉDERM® in the Philadelphia area and in other parts of the country.
Here’s a basic guide from double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Timothy M. Greco on red flags to watch out for when choosing facial fillers, as well as how to safeguard yourself against unnecessary risks.
The most critical part of getting the best outcome from your aesthetic treatment and avoiding fake fillers is choosing a professional aesthetics provider, who should preferably be a board-certified doctor licensed to work in your state or a member of the doctor’s trusted team.
Even with the most skilled physicians and injectors, there’s always a chance that errors can occur. Ensure that a board-certified physician is present on-site so one can assist you if anything were to go wrong. Patients should do a background check by looking up a potential provider online to confirm certification with the state medical board, considering online reviews, and talking to trusted friends and other physicians in the area.
You’ll also want to know exactly what is being injected into your skin, so it’s always a good idea to ask the injector directly about the product and do your own research. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only approves products that have gone through extensive clinical testing to confirm their safety and effectiveness, determining that the potential benefits outweigh any risks. Filler products approved by the FDA are listed on the agency’s website. Cheap bargain products might be tempting, but aren’t worth the risk of infections. In the worst-case scenario, off-brand fillers can cause permanent disfigurement, blindness, and paralysis.
Note that it’s illegal for doctors to buy fillers from other countries that aren’t FDA-approved, and there’s no way of knowing how such products have been handled or stored. Counterfeit or fake injectables can be imported illegally from Europe and Asia, so it’s important to know that your fillers were acquired from reputable sources. Imitation products, often containing unknown substances, are on the rise due to the strong demand for injectable fillers.
You can always ask to look at the box or packaging the fillers came in and check the expiration date, but it is sometimes difficult for patients to recognize an original box—especially with counterfeit products that may look very similar. Each syringe of JUVÉDERM® from Allergan—one of the most reputable, trusted providers—should arrive in a sealed container, and the packaging should have a hologram sticker containing a product name in English, lot number, and expiration date. Inspect them to ensure the spellings and fonts are correct. Also note that JUVÉDERM® and similar products normally have a shelf life of around a year. Once expired, they lose their potency and may be harmful.
The filler itself will have a transparent, gel-like appearance. Other widely used, FDA-approved brands include Restylane® from Galderma and Merz Aesthetics’ RADIESSE®.
Have an idea of the average price of fillers in your city—and beware of prices that seem too good to be true. Plastic surgeons recommend that you remain vigilant after your treatment, watching for abnormal side effects such as severe allergic reactions resulting in hives, rashes or difficulty breathing, very severe swelling and irritation, eyesight changes, and pain while the drug is being injected. Such reactions may suggest that the filler product being used was inauthentic. You should get medical help right away if these symptoms occur.
Want to learn more about authentic JUVÉDERM® injections in the Philadelphia area? Dr. Timothy M. Greco’s team is here to answer any questions you may have. For more details, give them a call at (610) 664-8830 or visit their website to send a consultation request.