Would you buy a neurotoxin off of a third-party site, purchase some disposable syringes online, and treat yourself and your friends to some “DIY Botox”? I’m shaking in my boots just thinking about it, but people all over TikTok are doing just that. Doctors and licensed injectors are worried — not because they think it’ll affect their bottom line, as TikTok commenters speculate, but because improper use of the neurotoxin can lead to serious, sometimes fatal, side effects.
In terms of why anyone would do this: Okay, I kind of understand the impulse. Shelling out a couple hundred dollars every few months just to relax the muscles in your face can be a huge financial burden, and the dozens of YouTube and TikTok videos purportedly teaching you how to inject your own Botox alternatives make it look easy enough. But these neurotoxins are toxins and carry a risk, even when they’re used under the watchful eye of a trained professional — and especially when they’re not.
How does Botox even work?
Botox is a neurotoxin that comes from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It’s highly toxic, so if you accidentally consume it or it gets into a wound, it can lead to flaccid paralysis, which can weaken essential muscles, like the ones we use to breathe. In other words, the bacterium can kill you. But when the dose is controlled and injected directly into certain muscles, it can weaken them, which is why it’s often used to reduce movement in the face and prevent wrinkles. Over time, typically over the course of three to four months, those muscles regain their strength and go back to normal.
What are the risks of Botox?
When injected improperly, Botox can have all sorts of detrimental effects. “We worry not only about bruising, swelling, redness, or headaches, but also potential difficulty swallowing or speaking if too much is injected or it’s injected in the wrong place,” says board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Michelle Henry. According to Dr. Henry, it can also make the face look asymmetrical or cause ptosis, where the eyelid falls or droops. “It takes a lot of training to be able to know exactly where to place the toxin,” she explains.
Allergic reactions are always a possibility, which is why doctors keep epinephrine, as well as an emergency kit and crash cart, on standby. “It’s super important when you’re injecting medications to be fully prepared for an emergency,” Dr. Henry says.
What’s happening with DIY Botox on TikTok?
Innotox, a Korean over-the-counter Botox alternative, is the “DIY” neurotoxin trending on TikTok. It features the same active ingredient, botulinum toxin type A, as Botox. Instead of coming in powder form like Botox, however, it’s a liquid, which makes it easier to dose. Some people also report seeing faster and longer-lasting results than those from Botox.
While Innotox is not FDA approved, people are buying it off of foreign third-party sites and injecting themselves and others with it. One user, Ashley Watkins, posted a video captioned, “POV: You and your bestied backyard Botox each other to save $$$,” which got over 1.1 million views in about two weeks. Comments were mixed. Some were concerned about potential side effects, others were “intrigued,” supportive, and asking for tutorials. “Nothing better than saving thousands!” a commenter wrote. “Did my first round a few weeks ago and am thrilled with the results.”
Why is DIY Botox such a bad idea?
Since these neurotoxins aren’t FDA regulated, we don’t know how safe they are to use. “Last year and earlier this year, as well, we saw cases of counterfeit Botox in this country,” says Dr. Henry. “Patients ended up having to go to the hospital to get an antitoxin to combat the effects of the toxin.” If you’re not trained on how to use toxic substances, you may not be able to respond properly, or as quickly, when things go awry.
While the people we’re seeing online insist that injecting yourself is easier than it seems, “It’s difficult without thorough and in-depth anatomical training to make sure you’re hitting the correct muscles,” Dr. Henry adds. Target the wrong one, and you could be left with a drooping eyebrow or crooked smile for months. This is a medical procedure, and those trying this at home may not have the capacity to keep their environment and tools as sterile as they should. “In my office, we’re using surgical soap to make sure that we’re not transferring bacteria to the patient,” Dr. Henry says. “These are things that could infect the face, lead to an abscess, or cause tissue necrosis,” a.k.a. premature cell death.
What should you do if you can’t afford to go to an experienced injector?
One thing you could do is go for a consultation with a trained injector and discuss your budget with them. “A trained injector can minimize the number of units but still optimize the result,” says Dr. Henry. She also recommends looking into residency programs, where you can get injected by trained residents (who are overseen by experienced doctors) at a discount.
If those don’t seem like viable options, there are certain skin-care ingredients and products that can minimize wrinkles. For example, retinoids boost collagen production and encourage cell turnover, reducing the look of lines and unwanted pigmentation over time. Dr. Henry also mentions antioxidants, which can “protect the collagen and make it more resilient, so that when you are animating, you’re less likely to cause those etched-in lines.” Peptides like argireline, “the peptide version of Botox,” can relax facial muscles with consistent use.
Certain professional treatments, including chemical peels, lasers, and microneedling, can be cheaper than Botox, and the results might last longer. Additionally, “radio-frequency devices can reduce wrinkles and boost collagen so that you can delay having more aggressive treatments for a longer period of time,” says Dr. Henry. All to say this: You really don’t have to take matters into your own hands with DIY neurotoxins at home.