WOODWAY, Texas (KXXV) — It's infiltrating the cosmetic market: fake Botox. How do you know it's fake and what are the warning signs? Heather Healy speaks with Dr. Patel with Revitalize SkinMD to spot the differences before it gets injected in your body.
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
It’s a counterfeit warning for Central Texas and the rest of the U.S.
“People are trying to find more economic ways to get to the same point, but they don’t recognize that there’s a danger to that,” said Dr. Vikas Patel, Medical Director for Revitalize SkinMD.
Fake Botox has made 22 people sick across 11 states, making distributors and medical professionals here in our area on high alert.
“Because you don’t know what’s in there, it can cause a whole range of problems between nothing and full blown botched poisoning. Described by blurry vision, shortness of breath, weakness, paralysis,” Dr. Patel said.
Botox distributor Abbvie wrote in a statement:
“We have a comprehensive supply chain security program to ensure that all products manufactured are safe, secure, and sold through authorized distribution channels. All reports of counterfeit product are thoroughly investigated by our team and in conjunction with law enforcement and public health authorities where appropriate.”
So what’s in these counterfeit bottles and how can you tell if its off?
“They can be super-concentrated Botox, it may not be Botox at all it could just be a little bit of salene, it’s not stored properly, there’s a lot of impurities potentially,” Dr. Patel said.
The injections need to be stored cold at three degrees and the label has a holographic feature, with a distinct font on the packaging.
Here are some red flags to look out for to avoid a Botox bust:
“Walking into a home, let’s say a home, a Botox party, or a place where’s there’s not a licensed or medical professional. Also, super cheap prices, groupons, products that look like Botox but there’s certain characteristics between the vile and packaging with Abbvie,” Dr. Patel said.
