Supply and demand. Botox popularity is on a steep rise, and with only one FDA-approved maker for a long time, Allergan, the price is also steadily increasing (higher than inflation). Naturally, a black market has appeared on the scene with counterfeit Botox products, mostly out of China. The Chinese have many great talents, but making reliably safe products just doesn’t happen to be one of them. BTX-A, Botutox, Estetox-A, Refinex, Novotox, Canitox, QuickStar and Linurase are all such products.

Yesterday, several Seattle injectors were accused of using these harmful and non-FDA-approved substances. Earlier this month, 5 injectors out of an Albany plastic surgery office pleaded guilty. How can you know your face-puffer is legit?

-Never get Botox at a ‘party’, or anywhere else besides a doctor’s office. That this even exists is ridiculous.

-Ask to see the holographic sticker Allergan has put on the bottle.

-If the price is too low, don’t go.

-Check with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons for information and provider info.

-Even legit Botox isn’t always safe, so make sure there is emergency equipment/care on-site.

Dysport is the only other FDA-approved injectable similar to Botox that may be available at a slightly cheaper price. Oh, and also important, bong hits are apparently safe to do while getting injectables, although not FDA-approved and often done at a party….