
People self-injecting with 'Korean Botox' as experts make grave warning
The rise in beauty fans self-injecting themselves with 'Korean Botox' is on the rise. People are injecting themselves at home with Innotox, a South Korean version of Botox which is marketed as a cheaper and longer-lasting alternative.
For just £50, people are able to get Innotox delivered straight to their door, and the black market anti-wrinkle solution is being illegally sold through social media and websites. There are six prescription-only Botox brands that are legal for cosmetic use in the UK. Councils across the country - including Manchester, Wolverhampton and Nottinghamshire - are warning against products such as an Innotox, manufactured in South Korea by Medytox, as none of these products are authorised for use in the UK.
Innotox is fast gaining popularity among many DIYers, who are lured in by the convenience of doing it at home, as well as being more cost-effective and having a "simpler" injection process. But medical experts are growing increasingly alarmed at the surge, warning that what might seem like a harmless wrinkle fix could result in long-term facial paralysis - or something even worse.
Fuelled by the rise in K-Beauty, with beauty buffs jumping on the Korean beauty bandwagon, it's revealed a troubling trend as more and more people are opting for the illegal distribution of unapproved botulinum toxin products, raising alarms about public health and consumer safety.
In 2019, Marcelle King, 62, was hospitalised, put on a drip and given steroids after being given fake Botox by a man pretending to be a doctor. She suffered a huge anaphylactic shock in reaction to the substance, which tests showed was unrefined beef gelatine imported from China.
"He started these injections... each one felt like a red hot cigarette," Marcelle told LBC. "My [face] was swelling up like Frankenstein's Monster and my eyes started blistering up. I was really wheezing and struggling to breathe."
Content creators on TikTok and YouTube have been sharing their results from self-injecting the Innotox, which has been encouraging viewers to jump on the hype. Raising serious red flags among the health community, especially given the unregulated nature of these purchases and the lack of professional oversight, Managing Director of the Harley Street Skin Clinic, Sophie Cooper, has shared insights into the dangers of purchasing Innotox online and self-injecting.
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Innotox is a Korean beauty treatment used as an alternative to Botox that contains the same ingredient botulinum toxin type A. Cooper explains: "It works similar to Botox by relaxing facial muscles which softens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. While Innotox is approved in some countries, it is not approved or authorised for use in the UK or US and people have been urged not to follow the trend."
"While many beauty and skincare-related TikTok trends can be fun and harmless, this one differs as it's leading to people self-injecting at home, something I would absolutely advise against," she said.
YouTuber SpaandTell took to her channel to show her followers how she DIY's her own anti-wrinkle injections with Innotox in a lengthy video - and her how-to video, among many other creators posting similar content is further sparking concern from experts. In reality, self-injecting an alternative comes with many dangers.
These "how-to" videos appearing online aren't in-depth enough, and the expert said it takes years to learn to inject correctly, and following these videos poses a serious risk. For example, injecting too deep in the wrong places can affect your breathing or cause muscle paralysis.
This means if something goes wrong while doing it at home, people might not have the knowledge to treat it appropriately or recognise when it's serious enough to seek medical attention. Sophie further detailed: "Any injectable products should be administered by a trained professional in a sanitised and safe environment so if any issues arise, the experts are there to take care of you.
"Fake or improperly sourced botulinum toxin can cause serious medical complications. Especially if you aren't a medical professional with proper understanding of facial anatomy," she added.
While it may be tempting due to the lower cost, Innotox might end up being very expensive down the road. When you make a mistake, its 'longer-lasting' quality would no longer seem attractive as you'd have to pay for a professional to fix the problem, and this is likely to be a lot more than what you paid.
The expert added: "Without the experts, you're exposing yourself to all kinds of risks. Innotox is not authorised for use in the UK which means that it does not have the same safety standards as Botox or other authorised products," and urged: "I strongly advise against self-injecting yourself with unregulated anti-aging products or following videos on how to do this from either TikTok or anywhere else on the internet. Always come to a professional."
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Sky News
4 hours ago
- Sky News
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15 hours ago
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Dr Patel explains that applying castor oil to the navel is inspired by an ancient Ayurvedic belief that the belly button is a central energy point in the body, connected to multiple organs via nerve pathways. Social media users claim it helps digestion, reduces bloating, and can even alleviate period pain. However, navel pulling enthusiasts, look away now. Both our medical and nutritional experts agree this trend is a fictional fad. 'Putting castor oil into your navel seems like just another odd health myth based on no clinical evidence,' says Dr Frankie Phillips, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association. Whilst it's unlikely to do any harm, she says it seems to be, 'entirely pointless with no physiological benefits'. Dr Patel agrees. He says there is no robust scientific evidence to suggest that placing castor oil in the belly button has a direct effect on digestion. 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However, in the UK, castor oil is typically sold and labelled as a cosmetic or massage oil – not a medicinal product – meaning people use it informally for its laxative effects, Dr Patel explains. It's perfectly safe for most people to take castor oil by mouth for constipation relief, says Dr Tony Fincham, a GP at Benenden Hospital. Adults can take a single dose of one to four tablespoons a day, but it should only be used for short-term relief. It's not suitable for everyone though, Dr Patel warns. Pregnant women, children under 12, people with inflammatory bowel disease, and individuals on certain medications such as steroids, should not use it without consulting a medical professional. Can castor oil heal wounds? In its role as a wound healer, castor oil has traditionally thrived. Ricinoleic acid has strong anti-inflammatory properties and castor oil-based ointments, often made in combination with other ingredients, have been used over the years to improve healing and reduce pain, Dr Patel says. A 2020 study in the Pharmacognosy Magazine highlighted castor oil's anti-inflammatory potential, as well as its natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, Dr Fincham says that whilst some plasters used to contain castor oil, this is no longer the case as there was found to be a risk of irritation or allergic reaction. Therefore castor oil should only be used to treat wounds if recommended by a doctor, and under professional guidance. Expert verdict: What's the best use for castor oil? Dr Fincham and Dr Patel both agree that castor oil is best used for moisturising and conditioning – 'particularly for dry skin, brittle lashes, eyebrows, or hair'. It's also a great choice for cuticles, dry heels, and patchy rough areas, Dr Patel says. But he urges those with sensitive or acne-prone skin to use with caution or in a diluted form. 'As a natural, multi-purpose ingredient, it can be a valuable addition to your skincare cabinet,' he concludes, 'But it's not a miracle oil, and I would say its effects are mostly supportive rather than transformative.'