Surgeons Warn of DIY Botox Kits Available Online

Because Botox treatment has become such a common topic of discussion and, more importantly, such a regular practice, people tend to forget that it’s actually a poison that, applied incorrectly, can cause permanent damage to the muscles of the face. This is precisely the warning that British consumer watchdog Which? has recently reinforced, after discovering a DIY Botox kit available on eBay, Sky News confirms.

The investigation from Which? established that men and women looking for a quick fix in terms of wrinkles and expression lines could easily go online and buy a do-it-yourself home kit for less than $100. Because the purchase was online and did not go through a GP, administering the treatment did not require a prescription, which meant customers were exposed to huge risks. The kit also included needles and syringes alongside the Botox powder, as well as a map of the face showing the points where the substance was to be injected.

“The idea of self-administration is absolutely crackers. I would advise extreme caution when it comes to something like this. It’s not like injecting insulin if you are a diabetic, you really do need to have specific knowledge. The effects of the botulinum depend on getting tiny amounts into exactly the right place. Get it wrong and you could end up with weakness in your eye muscles and drooping eye-lids.” Nicholas Parkhouse, consultant plastic surgeon at the McIndoe Surgical Centre in West Sussex, says for Sky.

eBay removed the product from its listing the moment it was contacted by Which?, the publication further says. As of now, though, it is not yet sure whether anyone had purchased one such kit, or whether there are more like this one out there. This is precisely why people who want to turn back time are urged by specialists to see a doctor for it, because it’s a procedure that, although apparently simple, requires expertise when done – otherwise, it can lead to serious complications.

“It’s easy to forget that Botox is actually a poison, which if injected in the wrong area could produce some shocking results. We were appalled that we were able to buy a DIY Botox kit so easily and we are concerned that the internet is becoming a marketplace for cut-price cosmetic treatments.” Sarah Kidner, editor for Which?, says for the same publication.