Illegal Botox sales continue on Ebay

Despite reports last month that ebay UK would halt illegal sales of Botox within auctions, RealSelf.com editors have uncovered evidence that this activity continues.

A seller from Texas offers auction shoppers 100 units of Allergan's Botox Cosmetic.  The seller markets their item by explaining that self-injecting Botox is easy and a money saver.

"When having this treatment at the Spa, I started to think that it wasn't that hard to do after watching the girl at the MedSpa do mine, and started talking with her about options of doing it at home. She was able to obtain quantities of the products they use at the Spa for me to use at home and share with my friends (mostly other Mom). I am just a real person who wants to share my amazing find and perhaps make a little money in the process."

Botox experts are quick to warn patients from receiving Botox from unqualified individuals.  Orange County plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Mills points out that "because Botox is as much about facial shaping as it is about relaxing wrinkles the provider should be well trained in facial anatomy....The most qualified provider is one who uses their knowledge to safely and individually consider each person's facial shape and animation in deciding on the treatment."

Another ebay member was found by editors to be selling lipodissolve, or phosphatidylcholine deoxycholate, as a means of self-administering fat melting injections.

Lipodissolve is routinely criticized by medical authorities for being unproven for fat loss. 

In a 2007 statement issued by the Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety, Dr. Julius Few, stated “To date, the substances in these injections have not gone through FDA sanctioned clinical trials or the research necessary to document the medical results claimed or clearly identify the potential underlying complications.”

The coalition has also warned consumers from purchasing products like Restylane and Botox from the web. 

“There’s a possibility the product has been obtained illegally, stored improperly or packaged incorrectly. All of these things can lead to poor outcomes including disfigurement, infection or in some cases even death. It is in your best interest to seek out a qualified physician and not take the risk from buying online.”

By Tom Seery for Real Beauty News

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