examining the hidden dangers of korean injectables

The beauty industry is a fast-moving market fuelled by trends and consumer demand for innovation. For many, South Korea is at the forefront of this market; synonymous with cutting edge skincare and injectables.

Whilst there are always exceptions, it is advisable however to exercise caution when using Korean injectables for a variety of reasons:

Different safety standards and regulations

Many people do not realise that there are two types of products coming out of the Korean market: those solely for the Korean market, and those for the rest of the world and in particular for the European market.

Whilst it seems obvious, different markets have different regulatory standards. However, contrary to what one might think, Korean regularity standards, approval processes and testing requirements are often considerably stricter than those of Western regulatory agencies such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Counterfeit or unverified products

Any product that is high demand spawns a market in counterfeit good. The aesthetics market is no exception. Unverified and untested injectables which claim to be Korean are easily bought and sold through online marketplaces. This counterfeit market benefits from cut price offers on products that are not bought or obtained through the correct channels (without a prescription or a consult with a prescriber). These counterfeit products will often be sold in packaging that looks exactly like the real thing. However, these products often contain unsafe, untested ingredients. Counterfeit products have been linked to 41 cases of iatrogenic botulism this year alone.

New doesn’t mean better

Even though client’s want to try new treatments. Any aesthetic treatment should mitigate as much risk as possible whilst improving the client’s appearance and sense of wellbeing. Ultimately, this is best achieved by using tried and tested products which have been on the market for a long time, providing reassurance for both clinician and client.

It can of course be tempting to use products from Korea in particular, as these products are often cheap and thus represent the best profit margin. Again however, profit should never be put before patient well being.

Importance of CE stamp

Some products from the Korea do not carry a CE stamp and these should not be used. Further, most insurers state that use of products without a CE stamp invalidates the insurance for the procedure.

In conclusion, it is advisable to exercise caution when considering using Korean injectables. Put bluntly, if something appears too good to be true, it probably is. These products are sometimes not made to rigorous safety standards. Further, consumer and clinician demand for innovation at affordable prices in the aesthetics market (which is already often deal driven), also fuels a market for counterfeit goods which pose serious safety risks.