Always Choose the “Real Deal” When It Comes to Wrinkle Relaxers

At this point in time, just about everyone has heard of botulinum toxin-based injectables like BOTOX® and Dysport®. Palm Springs’ Cosmetic Surgery Institute offers both wrinkle-relaxers, and a wide range of patients regularly seeks them out in order to temporarily smooth frown lines between the brows, forehead lines, crow’s feet next to the eyes, and more.

In the first half of 2025, news spread of fake BOTOX® and Dysport® being seized in Indiana. U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized four packages filled with vials of the counterfeit treatments, which totalled about 800 units. Even more alarmingly, these packages were originally on their way to individuals’ homes.

In June, public health officials in Massachusetts and Oregon investigated multiple cases of patients with botulism symptoms, all linked to either counterfeit products or improper handling and treatment from unlicensed providers.

Women and men who want to smooth furrowed or lined skin have many options, but in the interest of health and safety, there are two primary factors to remember when choosing a treatment.

1) Always Work with a Reputable Provider

That hairstylist who offers injections on the side or dentist who thinks he can smooth out some bunny lines after he fills in that cavity may sound like they know what they’re doing, but there is no replacement for reliable injectors who have been expertly trained and are highly experienced.

Don’t trust your appearance and well-being to someone who “does BOTOX® on the side,” and definitely don’t mail-order vials of the medication so you can somehow try to do-it-yourself at home.

Call a practice with a medical doctor at the helm. Discuss your options with the thoroughly knowledgeable staff. Make an educated decision based on their trusted guidance. Then enjoy your results without worry about where exactly that needle came from or what to do if you start experiencing more severe side effects.

In and of itself, purified botulinum toxin has been studied and proven safe as a cosmetic treatment, as well as a medical treatment for addressing certain times of muscle spasms and other health issues. While the substance is highly researched and tested, it remains a powerful agent that can work on muscles in the body, which means it should be handled only by people who have been explicitly trained to handle it safely and effectively.

2) Always Choose the Actual Product

The makers of BOTOX® and Dysport® go to great lengths to prove that they are providing what they say they are providing. When it’s time to get your injections, don’t hesitate to ask to see the label and confirm that you’re truly getting the treatment you chose and are paying for.

Any reputable provider will be not just willing, but happy to ensure that you are satisfied with your choice and confident in moving forward with the treatment. Look for specific safety features, such as holograms on the label.

Remember, if something seems suspicious or too good to be true in terms of basement-level prices and sketchy deals, it probably is.

It is also important to note that while BOTOX® and Dysport® are both safe, FDA-approved wrinkle treatments, they are not interchangeable—not with each other, and not with the several other wrinkle-relaxing injectables available around the United States. They may all be similar, but manufacturing processes, dosing, and side-effect specifics are unique to each formulation. That means if you want, ask for, and expect a specific brand, be sure to get that brand of wrinkle-relaxer. Otherwise, you could get results that are not quite what you’re hoping for—or worse.

Once again, remember that this is your skin. It’s your face, your health, and your life. Professional, medically trained and backed providers take this all very seriously, and so should you!

To learn more about choosing legitimate wrinkle-relaxing medications like BOTOX® and Dysport®, call Cosmetic Surgery Institute at (760) 837-0364 or contact them online for a consultation.