Botox made to top news today with CBC correspondents doing undercover investigations in some B.C. cosmetic clinics.  They discovered that, at some clinics in British Columbia, Botox was administered by non-licensed "doctors".  Additionally, "Botox", that was administered at the clinics, was of questionable origin.

Is safety of patients worth the risk they are taking when accepting the "sweet Botox deals" offered by similar spas and cosmetic clinics across Canada?

CBC correspondents scratched the surface of an important issue widespread not only in British Columbia, but in all Canadian cities where cosmetic treatments are popular.  Botox became a buzzword and a synonym of total rejuvenation in the eyes of an ordinary Canadian.

Very few people know, though, that Botox is a prescription drug, and, as any other prescription medication, it cannot be administered by anyone other than licensed Canadian physician.  More importantly, even less people know that prescription medicines are not available to non-physicians. That means, if Botox is administered by an unlicensed practitioner, he or she must have bought this "Botox" from sources other than Allergan - the only maker of Botox in the world.

In an interview with CBC correspondent an unlicensed Botox injector says he orders his Botox from pharmacies in Turkey and Mexico.  Even if those foreign pharmacies sell genuine Botox (which is very difficult to prove) the potency and effectiveness of that Botox most likely is compromised, as Botox must be stored and transported in a powder form at temperatures below freezing point.  We doubt that Turkish and Mexican pharmacies ensure temperature-controlled delivery of Botox they sell to Canada.

According to CBC article, another unlicensed practitioner was breaking "open glass ampoules" before administering Botox.  This is, again, something unheard of, as Botox is stored as powder in small bottles and diluted only before administration.  Diluted solution then can be stored in a fridge for some limited time.

When deciding on cosmetic injections one must look not at costs alone.  The simple rule is: "If it looks and sounds too good to be true, then it is, probably, not right." It is amazing how often people allow costs rule over rational thinking, subjecting themselves to risks of getting unknown substances injected in their skin by unlicensed practitioners.

At Dr. Robertus Laser & Cosmetic Clinic we have always been stressing the importance of using genuine high-quality products for our patients, as well as importance of procedures performed by knowledgeable and licensed staff.