5 Reasons DIY Cosmetic Injectables Are Not Worth It

New beauty trends can be exciting to try out for yourself, especially when you can buy the products easily online and find videos to show you how to use them. Sometimes these trends are not all they seem to be, and this could not be truer for DYI cosmetic injectables.

At Coast Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center in Laguna Beach, CA, we don’t just hop on new trends. Instead, our team of experts provides expert care and the best possible results for our patients. With more than 27 years of dermatological experience, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Glenn I. Goldberg can help rejuvenate your skin with the many cosmetic procedures we offer, including dermal fillers and wrinkle relaxers.

What Are DIY Cosmetic Injectables?

Injectables are products that minimize wrinkles, smooth fine lines, and restore volume in the face, neck, and even hands. The most common are dermal fillers and neuromodulators. Dermal fillers are made of the natural substance hyaluronic acid, which can be used to restore youthful contours and fill in areas that have lost volume. Neuromodulators relax muscles under the skin to minimize the appearance of wrinkles on the surface.

DYI cosmetic injectables were created in an attempt to mimic the results provided by dermal fillers and neuromodulators, but they are not the same. DIY injectables are products purchased online and used at home instead of by a licensed practitioner. They have gained popularity because of the many YouTube accounts and TikTok videos dedicated to showing off their success. There is even a new start-up offering to “guide” consumers through the injection process virtually, right here in the US.  However, the videos and advertising do not provide the full picture of the harm these products can cause. We have five reasons DIY cosmetic injectables are not worth their true cost.

1. Proper Injection Techniques Are Not Easy

DIY cosmetic injectables are intended for use at home by any person who can purchase them online. This means people are injecting these products into their skin by themselves. Knowing exactly where to place injections and how much formula is needed takes medical training and years of experience. Board-certified dermatologists understand what’s happening under the surface and how injectables interact with facial anatomy, so they know how and where to use these products. When self-injecting, you run the risk of using too much product in the wrong place, and you will likely not achieve the results you were hoping for.

2. DIY Injectable Formulations Are A Mystery

Even if you do know how to place injectables, DIY cosmetic injectables are still unsafe. The dermal fillers and neuromodulators we offer in our Laguna Beach office are FDA-approved. They have undergone thorough testing, and countless board-certified doctors like Dr. Goldberg trust them to provide safe, effective results for their patients. This is not the case for DIY cosmetic injectables. The formulation of these products is not known, nor have they passed any sort of trustworthy medical testing. 

Multiple dermal fillers and neuromodulator products exist that are FDA-approved, and each are specially made for certain aesthetic goals. Radiesse can be used where volume has been lost in the face and in the hands, while Restylane Kysse is intended for augmenting the lips. Using DIY injectables means you may be using a formulation to treat a concern it was not created to address.

3. The Risks Are Too Great

Injecting improperly and using mysteriously formulated products can not only give you improper cosmetic results, but they are also known to cause serious harm, such as:

• Allergic reactions (sometimes severe)
• Disfigurement
• Permanent scars
• Ptosis (droopy eyelids and eyebrows)
• Bell’s Palsy or facial paralysis
• Stroke
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing or trouble with speech)
• Diplopia (double vision or difficulty with eyesight)
• Blindness

One reason people choose to try DIY cosmetic injectables is because they cost less than going to a medical practice for treatment, but the serious side effects these products can cause will cost you more to fix—if they are fixable. To learn more about the risks of DIY cosmetic injectables, please visit ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

4. Expert Care is Available 

At Coast Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center, we want to make your visits as easy and enjoyable as possible. We are a full-service dermatology center, so you can be sure we will be able to create a custom treatment plan for you to help you achieve your aesthetic goals. We have been serving the Laguna Beach community since 1989 with skin tightening treatments, relaxing and cleansing facials, injectables, and all the best possible treatments available. We can also combine treatments to give you optimal rejuvenation results. Don’t risk DIY injectables; instead, come to the experts who will answer any questions and provide safe, effective care.

5. Safe At-Home Products Do Exist

With the ongoing pandemic, staying at home is a priority, and there are ways you can treat your skin at home without risking your health. We offer a complete line of medical grade skin care products at our Laguna Beach office, so you can cleanse, hydrate, and rejuvenate your skin wherever you are. 

Schedule Your Injectables Consultation With A Dermatologist in Laguna Beach Today

Contact us today to schedule your rejuvenation consultation and receive expert care from a board-certified dermatologist you can trust.