Why you shouldn’t trust offbrand injectables

When it comes to injectable dermal fillers, it may seem like a no-brainer to go with the filler that will deliver the best results for the cheapest price. While you may be able to get away with this when it comes to your common household items, when it comes to injecting things into your body, you want to make sure what you’re using is as safe and effective as possible. Off-brand dermal fillers and injectables can wreak havoc on your skin, face, muscles, and more.

What is an off-brand injectable?

An off-brand injectable is an injectable filler that is often sold on the internet that touts itself to be similar to higher-priced brand name products like Botox, Restylane, Juvederm, and more, or it may be disguised as an on-brand injectable. Off-brand products can be alluring due to their price point, but they also rely on you to DIY your own injections — do you really want to be doing that as well? Off-brand injectables can come in a variety of different types. Sometimes you know that you’re getting an off-brand injectable, and sometimes you are entirely unaware. One story, for example, on Allure.com, speaks of a customer who purchased what she thought was Juvederm, but was full of counterfeit product that was altered with silicone. There’s no way to know exactly what’s inside off-brand injectables, since they are not FDA regulated. It’s best to stay away.

How do I avoid buying off-brand injectable fillers?

It’s very easy, actually. Don’t purchase fillers yourself, and never trust an unlicensed professional to poke holes in your body and put an unknown substance under your skin. Anything purchased on Amazon and Alibaba most certainly would not be an actual brand substance. If you value your looks and your body, stick with scheduling an appointment with a professional in an office, and having them administer your dermal fillers. Licensed specialist professionals like Abington Aesthetic & Laser Medical Center are the only people authorized to purchase legitimate injectable fillers from brands like Galderma and Allergan. If you can buy it without flashing medical credentials as proof, then it’s absolutely and 100% an off-brand injectable filler.

What can happen if I use off-brand injectables?

There’s no telling what could happen if you use an off-brand injectable filler, since there’s no way to know what you might get. You could have a great experience with no issues, or you could have permanent loss of tissue or scarring, need surgery to remove silicone deposits, have an allergic reaction — minimal or severe — or infection, or you could have symptoms so bad they prove fatal. Why take the risk?

Why can’t I inject myself?

Injections in the face and elsewhere requires years of anatomical and medical study. It may look easy, but in fact is only “easy looking” because the professional has many years of experience to lean back on. In reality, the medical professional knows there are thousands of nerves and blood vessels in the face, and knows that striking any of these could spell catastrophe. The medical professional also knows how shallow or deep to push the needle, and where to properly place the product to get best results. Rather than risking a complication like permanent blindness, it’s better to pay the extra to have a professional inject your on-brand dermal fillers.

We’re happy to help you with your injectable filler needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!