If you have treatments of anti-wrinkle injections to improve the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles do you know the product used for your treatment? Often the name Botox is tossed around flippantly when referring to anti-wrinkle injections, however this is the brand name for one of three products approved by Therapeutic Goods Australia (TGA).
The general assumption is that all three brands are the same…. they are not! Whilst all three are obtained from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum there are some distinct differences between the three brands in the formula, dilution ratio & diffusion.
As classified scheduled medications, Australian law prohibits the use of using the brand name in advertising hence why advertising uses terms such as ‘anti wrinkle injections’ or ‘muscle relaxants’. Non compliance with The Therapeutic Goods Act carries a substantial financial penalty, but more importantly to you, the consumer, this indicates a lack of professional ethics & integrity. Is this a business you would trust for your treatment?
Whilst this legislation is in place to protect consumers, in some regard it creates a challenge to navigate as advertising for anti wrinkle injectable treatments can't specify the brand name of the product being promoted. In Australia the cost of product is usually charged per unit, this can be misleading as the products are not equal in their dose equivalence. For example, one clinic may charge $5 per unit & another clinic $15 per unit. Effective marketing may make this appealing as you think you are receiving a great price but think twice ladies…. the ratio of product is not the same, it takes 3 times the cheaper product to make the equivalent 1 unit of the other product.
The mechanism of action for all products is to temporarily alter the nerve impulses of targeted facial muscles, reducing contraction induced wrinkle formation. My product of choice is the brand manufactured by Allergan. The reason being the extensive research and clinical study to back the product in safety & efficacy.
Don’t be fooled by cheap pricing, the overall cost to achieve the same result will be similar. Chose an established, experienced practice operating in a permanently set up clinical environment who consult, listen, educate & care. Get a discount on your fashion but not your face.
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