It’s no secret that getting neurotoxin injections can be expensive. But a recent social media money-saving trend has experts raising alarm bells, and with good reason. Searches for Innotox have taken off in recent months as more and more American and U.K. consumers go looking for self-administered Korean botox, cutting their costs severely in favor of risking their wellness and safety.
Featured Experts
- Jeanine Downie, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Montclair, NJ
- Tina Alster, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Washington, DC
- Anna Chacon, MD is a board-certified dermatologist practicing telehealth nation-wide
What is Innotox?
Described as a “ready-made liquid botulinum toxin solution,” Innotox is a Korean neurotoxin containing botulinum toxin type A, the same active ingredient found in Botox Cosmetic. The main difference is that Innotox arrives already mixed and ready-to-go, rather than freeze-dried Botox, which has to be reconstituted before being injected.
Critically, though, it isn’t approved for use in the U.S. “Innotox has not gone through clinical trials and is not FDA approved for usage in this country, and is not recommended under any circumstances,” Montclair, NJ dermatologist Jeannie Downie, MD says firmly.
The Dangers of Self-Injecting Neurotoxin
The ready-to-use format combined with the third-party seller price tag (with doses going for as little as $60), Innotox has become a DIY beauty trend. And that’s dangerous.
“While the cosmetic use of botulinum toxin rarely causes severe side effects in experienced hands, the frequency of serious complications such as muscle weakness, difficulty breathing or swallowing, double-vision and other visual disturbances, vascular injury (with blindness) and facial asymmetry is increased exponentially when untrained injectors are performing the treatment,” explains Washington, DC dermatologist Tina Alster, MD.
That’s not to mention that purchasing through third-party sellers means you have even less control over what’s really in that needle.
“These products are often not FDA-approved and may be counterfeit, contaminated or improperly dosed,” explains national telehealth dermatologist Anna Chacon, MD. “Beyond that, administering them without medical training can lead to serious complications, even life-threatening reactions are possible if the toxin spreads beyond the injection site.”
Innotox Shouldn’t Be Available for Consumer Purchase
According to the creators of Innotox, Medytox, it shouldn’t be this easy for consumers to get their hands on this product anyway.
When TODAY.com reached out to Medytox, they indicated in a statement that they were “not previously aware” of people purchasing its products through third-party retailers and that it planned to “investigate this unauthorized activity. The company added, “Only medical providers in countries that have approved Medytox products should be using our brands.”
Of course, the internet is vast and third-party sellers are numerous, leaving many consumers with the option to pursue self-injection.
Don’t be tempted, the risks are just not worth it.
“Self-injecting a toxin as a non-medical person is utterly ridiculous and can possibly lead to scarring, infection and severe nerve damage among many other things,” Dr. Downie reiterates. “This is a horrible idea and it should not be used.”
