Cheap Injectable Treatments: Are They Really Worth It?

The cheaper the better?

I love a bargain as much as the next gal, but there are some things I draw the line at. Cheap loo roll. Cheap tattoos. And cheap injectables. Not because I’m lavish. Not because I’m a snob. But because cheap treatments are actually a HUGE red flag. Here are just a few key reasons you shouldn’t cheap out on cosmetic treatments using prescription medicines like botulinum toxin.

Here’s the scene… You’re scrolling through Google, searching "Botox near me" and you see a massive variation in prices. There’s one that stands out as much cheaper than the others, so you think, ‘great! I’ll save myself a bit of money and go there.’ Problem is, you could be setting yourself up for a huge mistake…and a much bigger cost than you think.

You see, wrinkle relaxing injections cost what they do for several reasons.

How much does wrinkle relaxing cost?

Anti-wrinkle injections are usually charged per area - for example bunny lines, crow’s feet, frown lines, etc. And you can generally expect to pay between £175 and £300 per area - depending on where you live. If you see anywhere advertising it for much less than that, be wary, because it may be fake - and that could mean it’s A) ineffective, and/or B) dangerous, resulting in medical attention. You can bet it certainly isn’t medically approved.

Another reason why these treatments might be cheap is that the injector isn’t properly trained in injecting or doesn’t have a background in healthcare, which can lead to complications. Facial anatomy is complex and is something that the injector should be well versed in. All it takes is for them to inject into the wrong spot and…game over.

Ok, so where should I get my 11's sorted?

At Glowday, we believe aesthetic treatments like injectables should only be performed by healthcare practitioners. Those who are qualified, trained and accountable. And that’s why we only list these professions. The problem is that the law isn’t quite up to speed, despite countless face f*ck ups by underqualified injectors who think they can just pick up a needle and make a fast buck. And it’s normal, every day women who are affected. Of course saving some money on a treatment might seem like a good idea. But while this might not seem so bad when it comes to a haircut or getting your nails done, when it comes to a needle in your face, it’s better to do your research and pay more.

Botox is actually a brand of prescription-only medicine (yep, a medicine) and so it seems only right that a medic should perform it, right? But it’s in the hands of thousands of lay injectors around the country, making it hard to tell who’s safe and who isn’t. If someone’s website looks professional and they have a nice salon and a large client base, it might be tempting to go to them, but if they don’t have a background in healthcare, my advice would be to keep on moving on.

And while it might seem more expensive to see a medically qualified cosmetic practitioner, it could actually cost you more in the long run if your lay injector messes up.

So, it's dangerous?

In the right hands, wrinkle relaxing injections are relatively safe and effective cosmetic treatment that’s great at giving a youthful appearance. I say ‘relatively’ because there’s always a small risk with any injectable treatment - they’re not beauty treatments. Here’s a list of common risks:

• Infection
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Ptosis

Done by a medic, these risks - though still possible - are less likely to happen, but in the wrong hands, the risks are more likely. For example, with ptosis, which is where too much toxin is injected into one area - say the eyebrow - causing drooping, you could be asymmetric for months!

So, while paying that bit more might seem like a lot at the time, you could end up paying even more in the long run if you go to someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing.

Why is is reassuringly expensive?

You don't just pay for the treatment. You're paying for:

A thorough consultation

Healthcare practitioners carry out a full and thorough consultation before any wrinkle relaxing treatment because they want to make sure it’s the right treatment for you.

This means in terms of whether wrinkle relaxing will be the most effective treatment for the area you’re looking to treat, whether you have any conditions that might mean it won’t be a good fit for you, or whether you are showing any signs of body dysmorphia.

The consultation is also where the practitioner gains your full medical and treatment history, describes through what the treatment is, how it works and explains any side effects and risks.

It’s a great opportunity for you to ask any questions too. It’s amazing how many non medics don’t include a consultation, but trust me, it’s a super important step in the treatment journey.

Medical expertise

These are not beauty treatments like getting your nails or eyebrows done. It’s medical. Medics train for a loooong time. They know facial anatomy inside out, so they know exactly where to safely inject to give the desired outcome. And most of the time, they’re trained to deal with complications and will know what to do if something goes wrong. This is not just a nice to have - it’s an essential. Because even in the safest of hands, complications can arise, but it’s about how they’re dealt with that matters.

With a healthcare professional, there’s not only the level of care you expect from a doctor, nurse, dentist or pharmacist, but they are also bound to a code of ethics and governing body that holds them accountable. Basically, if they mess up big time, they’re out of a career.

A lay injector, on the other hand, isn’t answerable to anyone, so, if something goes wrong (and without medical or anatomy knowledge, there’s a greater chance of this happening), you could be left high and dry with a problem they can’t fix. And, ultimately, you might then have to see a medically qualified practitioner who can resolve the issue anyway. That’s not to say that all non-medics are bad. Of course not, but I’ve heard way too many horror stories about women who’ve seen lay injectors, gone home after the treatment, noticed an issue and then when they’ve tried to contact the practitioner to get advice or make a complaint, they’ve been ghosted. The person who treated them just disappeared off the face of the planet. And yet, probably carrying on with injectable treatments and leaving a trail of dodgy work behind them.

Quality approved products

To buy medicines like Botulinum toxin - or any other registered and approved brand of botulinum toxin - you have to be a doctor, dentist, independent nurse prescriber or pharmacist prescriber, because it’s a prescription-only medicine. So, if you go to one of these, you’re, generally speaking, in good hands. But there’s an ever-growing trend in lay practitioners offering wrinkle relaxing.

If someone’s offering it at a much lower price, you really need to question why. Is it actually a recognised and tested brand they’re using (if not, what the hell are they putting into your skin???)? Has it been open for longer than it should have because they used some on another client first? Is it past its expiry date, making it less effective? Do you really want to be going back for top ups sooner than you should be? Because when it comes to anti-wrinkle treatment it turns out those old adages, “buy cheap, buy twice” and “you get what you pay for” are true after all.

Hygiene

Healthcare professional are hot on infection control. Keeping a sterile field. Reducing cross-contamination. These are all things that are second nature to Drs, dentists and nurses.

The surroundings your treatment is carried out in are important. I mean, no one wants a needle that’s been plonked down on a not so clean surface shoved in their face, do they?

Location, location, location. And the cleanest one possible at that - because infection can occur if not.

You get what you pay for

In summary - yes, at first glance, the idea of a bargain 3 areas might seem like a good move but, in reality, it could cause more harm than good and might cost you way more (and not just in a financial sense) than you thought. Do your research and take your time before making a decision. Glowday lists checked and verified aesthetic practitioners to take a look through - and it couldn’t be easier to book. You can look through their before and afters and read their reviews before making a safe decision.