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Is It Ok for a Medical Technician to Inject Botox or Juvederm?

asked 2 years ago by leisatd in Atlanta
Latest answer by Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
Question viewed 1,141 times
Tags: injector, medical spa, risk, safety

There is no MD at the "medical spa" I have used. The technician I go to has 10+ years in the industry and most with Botox or Juvederm. What kind of risk is associated with technician vs MD?

12 answers to Is It Ok for a Medical Technician to Inject Botox or Juvederm?

Medical tech and botoxs and fillers

It is not recommended for a medical tech to administer Botox or fillers. This is best performed by a well-trained board certified doctor who can treat your complications as well.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Botox is a medical procedure and should be treated with respect

In a number of states, Botox can be injected by non-physicians. These may include RN's etc. Some are very experienced and some are not. This is a medical procedure with a very safe but strong medication. Do you want to take chances with your face to save a few dollars? I would inquire on the experience of the injector and supervision, if this is in doubt I suggest you seek a qualified physician with experience in Botox treatments. The core specialties include Plastic Surgery, Facial Plastic... more

Steven J. Pearlman, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

Medical Technician to Inject Botox or Juvederm

The medical tech may be experienced in the industry but it would unwise on your part to risk your health and looks to someone who is not properly trained or credentialled. Also, in many states including Florida, it would be illegal for a medical tecnician to perform the treatment.

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.drkrisreddy.com

Botox and Juvederm should not be injected by a Medical Technician

I would not recommend to have Botox or a Filler injected by a Medical Technician. It is not worth the risk if anything would happen due to lack of experience or training.

Nissan Pilest, MD
Irvine Dermatologic Surgeon

Your best and safest cosmetic result will be with a physician

Botox and fillers are true medical procedures and should be performed by an experienced physician with detailed knowledge of facial anatomy and after a careful review of your goals and health. This will give you the best likelihood of a safe and satisfactory result. Additionally, plastic surgeons will be able to advise you of all options, surgical and nonsurgical to help you look your best, and to get the best value for your money. All states have their own regulations with regard to who... more

Michael D. Yates, MD
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon

Legal Botox injectors

I would completely agree with all of the other physicians. Rules about who can legally inject Botox vary by state. There is a good reason why physicians go through years of specialty training. Dermatologists, facial plastic surgeons, plastic surgeons, and oculoplastic surgeons receive training in facial anatomy, facial function, and in dealing with complications that may occur after Botox injection. While Botox injections are generally very safe, there are real complications which can occur... more

D.J. Verret, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

Botox to be treated by a physician or medical technician

Every state has different rules as to who legally can perform injections. Aside from this authority once given by the state, the individual, whether physician or nurse or physician's assistant (P.A.), should have a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the areas they are treating. Botox is very safe but side effects can happen and they can last for up to a few months. Asymmetry (unequal results from side to side), drooping of the upper eyelid, or even lip, can occur with incorrect... more

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Botox and filler injectors

Different states regulate who can inject fillers like Juvederm and Restylane as well as neuromodulators like Botox. Fortunately, these products are extremely safe so even inexperienced injectors or non-physicians can inject them safely the vast majority of the time. There are some non-physicians who are even better than physicians. The bottom line is who is supervising these services should a problem arise and the reputation of the professional injecting you. Generally, usually a nurse or... more

Scott Trimas, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Medical Technician doing cosmetic injections would likely be an illicit practice

Dear Leistad If you really want to get to the bottom of this, I suggest you contact the Georgia Composite Medical Board. Generally, most States do not recognize this type of medispa as legal. In California for example a nurse can perform these injections but only by a good faith examination by a physician who is on the premises. This means that all those medispas with nurses but no doctors are illegal operations. What can go wrong? Nurses are not intimately familar with the anatomy of the... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Safety of Injection of Botox or Fillers by a NON- Doctor

The Botox and filler market are a multi-Billion dollar industry. The companies producing Botox,Juvederm,Restylane etc focus on the bottom line and want to move as much product as possible. Politicians in every state in the Union function on the same principle; They are bought / sold by special interests and have caved in and allowed almost anyone to inject these products as long as they are "supervised" by a licensed physician. (But - "supervision varies from State to state... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Botox or Juvederm with Technician

The term "technician" seems very nebulous. I do not know what the regulations are for the state of Georgia, but in California, a non-physician, licensed practitioner (e.g. registered nurse practitioner, nurse, physician's assistant) can administer injectables only under the direct supervision of a physician. If you can have an experienced, board certified physician (e.g. plastic surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon, dermatologist) administer your Botox and Juvederm, why wouldn't you go... more

Bryan K. Chen, MD
San Diego Dermatologist

States vary on who can do injections but the key to excellence is experience

In some states only doctors and nurses (and sometimes Physician Assistants)can legally perform injections of any sort including cosmetic fillers. To confuse the matter further, states vary as to whether these non-Md's can do the injections when the MD is not in the facility. Consequently, I would encourage you to verify with the Med spa the state license issues but once you have investigated that and if the technician is doing a good job and has the experience you indicate there should be... more