Can you self-inject dermal fillers or botox?

Answer 1

Theoretically yes, though only a trained professional (dermatologist, plastic surgeon, etc.) should do so. They have legal ways of obtaining the fillers (Juvaderm, Restylane, etc.) and Botox. If one was to buy dermal fillers or Botox off the "black market" or any other unauthorized source, there is a great chance that they aren't the real thing. People have caused serious permanent scarring and disfigurement to their faces trying to do "at home" procedures. With Botox, if you were to inject some, say in the corners of your mouth, and you used too much, you could end up drooling for the next four months.

I recently had Radiesse (dermal filler) injected into my face, and while the price can be extremely high, I would never think of doing it myself. It takes a trained eye and skilled hands to inject the filler. After the filler is injected, they position it under the skin to gain the desired effect. Depending on what is being treated determines how deep into the dermal layer the filler is injected into. There are strategic places to put fillers for different outcomes and if not done properly, you could have uneven or even lumpy results. You also need to be able to properly numb the area or you'd be in a whole world of pain.

I live in Northwestern PA, and a large syringe of Radiesse cost me $600 for the first syringe and $500 for the second. They were running a special, so I ended up with a total of $1000. Radiesse gives the face a natural look and stimulates collagen production. I am only 29, though I started noticing smile lines on either side of my nose and my eyes tended to look tired. In my profession, I see a lot of people every day and I felt getting the procedure done would make me feel as confident on the outside as I was inside. Radiesse is supposed to last for 9 months to a year, though everyone is different, not to mention some areas of the face will reabsorb the filler quicker than others. I plan on going back in about 9 months to see if I need a touch up. I'm not too thrilled with the expense, but the peace of mind it brings me is well worth it.