Talk about a shot in the dark.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Experts are sounding the alarm about a growing number of Americans injecting themselves at home with so-called \u201cKorean Botox,\u201d drawn in by promises of smooth skin at a fraction of the cost.<\/p>\n
Those jumping on the viral Innotox trend, they warn, are playing a game of cosmetic roulette that comes with risks far more serious than a few forehead wrinkles and crow\u2019s feet.<\/p>\n
Self-injecting Innotox is the latest DIY beauty trend going viral. Eva March \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n
What is Innotox ? <\/p>\n
Innotox is a South Korean treatment that contains botulinum toxin type A, the same active ingredient found in Botox, according to Korean Beauty Tech<\/a>. <\/p>\n It works by temporarily relaxing facial muscles to reduce contractions, which softens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, resulting in smoother, more youthful-looking skin.<\/p>\n But unlike Botox<\/a>, which arrives freeze-dried and must be reconstituted with a sterile solution, Innotox comes as a ready-to-use liquid \u2014 making the injection process simpler and more tempting for those looking for a DIY option. <\/p>\n Why are people choosing Innotox?<\/p>\n Aside from the convenience, Innotox fans point to two big draws: faster, longer lasting results and a lower price tag.<\/p>\n While Botox typically takes four to seven days to show effects, some Innotox users report visible changes within two to three days. Its results can last up to six months \u2014 outpacing the usual three-to-four-month lifespan of Botox.<\/p>\n \u201cIt works amazing, almost three months and I\u2019m not moving my forehead,\u201d Karen Freeman, a content creator on TikTok, said in a recent video<\/a>. <\/p>\n Innotox is approved for use in other countries, including South Korea, but not in the US. Derma Solution<\/p>\n \u201cNormally it would be time for me to do this again, but no, good ol\u2019 Innotox is still working and ain\u2019t mad about it,\u201d she added. <\/p>\n Then there\u2019s the cost. A vial of Innotox can be found on third-party sites for as little as $60 to $100, depending on the number of units and the supplier.<\/p>\n By comparison, the average Botox treatment cost was $528 in 2022, according to GoodRx<\/a>.<\/p>\n What are the risks of self-administering Innotox?<\/p>\n First and foremost, Innotox is not FDA-approved.<\/p>\n Karen Freeman is among the Innotox users pleased with her results. TikTok \/ @karen74_<\/p>\n That means it\u2019s not subject to the same strict safety and efficacy standards as Botox or other botulinum toxin products available in the US.<\/p>\n It also raises questions about quality control \u2014 especially when it\u2019s purchased from unverified sellers online.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t inject yourself with fake Botox products from the internet, I beg of you,\u201d warned Molly O\u2019Rourke, a clinical nurse injector, in a recent Instagram video<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is coming from a safety standpoint because these medications are not regulated,\u201d she added. \u201cIt already comes pre-diluted, which should frighten you because what is that?\u201d<\/p>\n The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has echoed similar warnings<\/a>, noting that counterfeit or improperly sourced botulinum toxin has been linked to serious medical complications.<\/p>\n Even if the product is genuine, the DIY approach carries major risks.<\/p>\n Medical experts are warning against self-injecting Innotox at home. Instagram \/ @nurseinjectormolly_<\/p>\n Online videos often show people injecting Innotox with minimal training or understanding of facial anatomy \u2014 something medical professionals say is highly dangerous.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you have real neurotoxin there and you\u2019re just injecting it into the wrong places, you could have facial muscle weakness or facial muscle paralysis,\u201d Dr. Evan Rieder<\/a>, who is board-certified in dermatology and psychiatry, told Today.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n But the potential dangers aren\u2019t limited to your face.<\/p>\n