Cosmetic surgery is no longer the preserve of a certain elite seeking eternal youth. Many patients resort to injections of hyaluronic acid and botulinum toxin for cosmetic purposes. This phenomenon is not without risk, especially if they learn about these procedures on YouTube, a new US study shows.
YouTube is full of videos about injectables such as botulinum toxin (Botox) and hyaluronic acid. Many praise the merits of these substances, which are described as less invasive than cosmetic surgical procedures. But are these videos reliable sources of information? For the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the answer is no.
In a study, the American organization evaluated the quality of 100 videos about aesthetic medicine available on YouTube. He found that only 47% of them were performed by plastic surgeons. Most come from patients who have used these injections (24%) or from online media and influencers (22%).
A fashion phenomenon
Not surprisingly, the researchers found that videos of healthcare professionals provide the most reliable information about injectables. Those made by former patients are of much lower quality than others, including videos posted online by influencers. “These patient-created videos, on YouTube or elsewhere, should not be recommended as a source of information about Botox or soft tissue fillers”said Dr. Robert D. Galiano, SSPA Fellow Surgeon and Professor at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
The SSPA calls for extreme vigilance when patients inquire about injectable products on the Internet. These substances are far from harmless, contrary to what adherents of aesthetic medicine like to think. A British study, published in June in the Journal of Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, revealed that Botox is a source of side effects in one in six patients. It would be the cause of headaches, hematomas, nausea, facial paralysis, muscle stiffness or dizziness.
However, these potential complications are not stopping younger and younger patients from turning to injections to correct minor blemishes. More than 4.4 million Botox injections have been performed in 2020, according to figures from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The cult of the perfect face (unfortunately) still has a bright future ahead of it.
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