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The Dangerous Rise of At-Home Fillers and Botox

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You’ve probably seen at-home filler and Botox injections online and are wondering if they’re worth a try. To save you the hassle, here’s what you need to know: Experts strongly advise against at-home injection products due to significant safety risks.

Sure, they may be more affordable than legitimate Botox injections and dermal fillers, but when it comes to something you put in your body, especially your face, you could never be too careful. In fact, one study reveals that while some people report positive results using these products, many others experience serious injuries and side effects.

Don’t let yourself be the next victim of these unregulated products. When it comes to Botox and dermal fillers, always choose FDA-approved treatments offered by licensed professionals in reputable clinics.

If you are leaning towards trying at-home fillers and Botox, we urge you to continue reading before making a purchase. We’ll explain what these unregulated products really are and the risks you need to know. We’ll also share why trusting a professional injector is always the safer choice.

What Exactly Are At-Home Fillers and Botox?

At-home fillers and Botox are unregulated injection products that people buy online or from unlicensed sellers. They are not the same as the medical-grade, FDA-approved injectables used in reputable clinics.

These kits usually come without any professional guidance, quality checks, or guarantees about sterility. You don’t know what’s in them, how they were made, or if they were stored safely before reaching you.

The biggest reason people turn to these products is cost. Professional Botox and dermal filler treatments can feel expensive for some. Moreover, the rise of DIY culture in the beauty industry has further fueled interest in these products, as quick and inexpensive beauty hacks appeal to a wide audience.

While some users online show off positive results, there’s another side to the story that doesn’t always make it to your feed. A significant number of people who inject fillers at home experience complications that range from mild swelling to life-changing injuries.

Here are some of the most reported side effects of using at-home fillers and Botox:

  • Infection due to non-sterile products
  • Allergic reactions to unknown ingredients
  • Nerve damage affecting facial muscles
  • Tissue death caused by a filler blocking a blood vessel
  • Lumps, uneven facial contours, and scars
  • Permanent changes in skin texture

These side effects are unusual with authentic dermal fillers or Botox treatments done in licensed clinics. On top of that, doing the procedure yourself means you don’t have the guidance of a qualified injector to decide the right approach should a particular side effect appear.

What Are the Risks of At-Home Fillers and Botox?

Just because you can find it online doesn’t mean you should buy it. As we mentioned above, at-home fillers and Botox are often unregulated by the FDA, which means you don’t know what they actually contain or how they’re made.

If you don’t know what’s in the product, why trust it to be injected into your skin? Just a quick search on online forums, and you’ll see countless horror stories of people dealing with infections or even hospital visits after trying these so-called DIY kits.

To help you understand just how dangerous they are, here are the most significant risks linked to at-home hyaluronic acid fillers and Botox.

1. Contaminated or Fake Ingredients

Most at-home injectable fillers and Botox products come from unverified online sellers. That means the solution inside could be expired, contaminated, or completely counterfeit. Injecting these substances puts you at risk of serious complications such as infection, painful swelling, and permanent scarring.

2. Injecting into the Wrong Area

Licensed injectors spend years studying facial anatomy to avoid nerves and blood vessels safely. Without this training, DIY users often inject into the wrong layer of skin or too close to critical areas. This can cut off blood flow, which may cause tissue death (necrosis) or, in severe cases, blindness if the filler enters vessels near the eyes.

3. Severe Allergic Reactions

Because these unregulated products don’t come from trusted medical suppliers, you have no way of knowing exactly what’s inside. That raises your risk of an allergic reaction, which can cause sudden facial swelling, extreme pain, and lasting deformities.

4. Irreversible Cosmetic Damage

Instead of reducing wrinkles or restoring volume, poorly injected fillers can leave you with uneven lumps, crooked lips, or unnatural results. Fixing these problems usually requires expensive correction treatments, and sometimes the damage cannot be fully undone.

5. Long-Term Health Complications

Botox and fillers work by affecting muscles and deeper tissues. Incorrectly placed injections can damage nerves, leading to drooping, loss of movement, or a “frozen” look that doesn’t go away. In some cases, the complications are permanent.

Why It Matters Who Administers Your Dermal Fillers or Botox

If the risks listed above are not enough, then we’ll show you why experience, training, and certifications matter a lot when it comes to Botox and dermal fillers.

Yes, you might save money upfront by choosing DIY Botox and filler products, but the complications they can cause often cost far more in the long run, not to mention the risk they pose to your health.

Here’s why trusting an expert injector is the most crucial step in achieving your desired results.

Use of Authentic, FDA-Approved Products

Licensed clinics only use medical-grade dermal fillers and Botox that pass strict safety standards. This ensures patients receive products that are designed to smooth fine lines and wrinkles (e.g., crow’s feet, marionette lines, laugh lines, expression lines, etc.), improve skin texture, and deliver natural-looking results.

Knowledge of Facial Anatomy

A licensed injector or board-certified dermatologist understands how facial muscles, skin layers, and blood vessels work together. They know how to inject fillers and Botox with precision to create youthful results without harming vital structures.

Customized Treatment Plans

Every face is different. A qualified provider considers your skin texture, aging concerns, hydration levels, and aesthetic goals before recommending a treatment. This ensures your dermal filler or Botox injections enhance your natural beauty while maintaining a youthful glow.

Choose a Qualified Provider for Your Dermal Filler and Botox Treatments

Many people have already suffered from at-home fillers and Botox products, and we don’t want that to happen to you. We’ve said it before, and we’ll continue to say it again and again: only trust a qualified injector and licensed aesthetic clinic for Botox and dermal filler treatments.

At Injectco, all of our treatments use authentic, FDA-approved injectables delivered by trained master nurse-injectors and physician assistants. Our goal is to give you natural-looking results while keeping your health and safety at the highest priority.

If you want to explore your options, we strongly encourage you to schedule a free virtual consultation with us. During this session, we will review your goals, examine your skin, and create a safe treatment plan that aligns with your needs. Because this consultation is free, you can confidently explore your options without any risk.

Book your free virtual consultation today and let Injectco help you achieve safe, natural-looking results that will leave you feeling confident in your appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you do Botox injections at home?

No, Botox injections are not recommended to be done at home because it is a prescription treatment that requires medical training to perform safely. Without sterile conditions and proper knowledge of facial muscles, there is a high risk of infection, nerve injury, or uneven results that could permanently affect your appearance. The safest option is to consult a licensed provider who uses authentic products and can create a personalized plan tailored to your specific needs.

Does home Botox work?

No, home Botox kits do not usually work the way professional Botox does. Most products sold online are unregulated or counterfeit, and without a trained injector, the risk of infection, scarring, or uneven results is high. For safe improvements, such as smoother cheeks, softer lines, or longer-lasting results, the only proven option is treatment with authentic Botox in a medical setting.

What are the dangers of Botox and fillers?

Botox and injectable dermal fillers are safe when given by trained professionals, with most people only experiencing temporary swelling, bruising, or tenderness. The real danger emerges from at-home or do-it-yourself injections. These unregulated kits often contain counterfeit products and, when used without medical expertise, can lead to serious, lasting complications, including severe infections, tissue damage, or permanent disfigurement.

Are fillers around the mouth safe?

Yes, fillers around the mouth are considered safe when performed by a qualified professional using approved products. Mild bruising or swelling can happen, but these effects are temporary and usually clear within days. On the other hand, at-home filler kits or hyaluron pens sold online often contain unregulated substances and can cause infections, tissue damage, or long-term results that could be difficult to reverse.

Are at-home lip injections risky?

Yes, at-home lip injections are risky. Attempting lip enhancement at home with unregulated products can lead to swelling, lumps, infection, or even tissue damage if filler blocks a blood vessel. Safe lip enhancement requires FDA-approved fillers and a trained injector who understands facial anatomy.

Written By:
Kiara DeWitt, BSN, RN, CPN, Advanced Clinical Nurse Injector


Kiara DeWitt, BSN, RN, CPN founded InjectCo in early 2021 while also heading up the neurosurgery + neurology unit at Cook Children’s Pediatric Hospital as lead clinical educator. After completing her Bachelor's degree at Texas Christian University, Kiara realized just how much the aesthetic medicine industry was missing, wishing it was more focused on ethical decision-making and building relationships. Kiara’s dream was to create an atmosphere for her patients where they feel loved, empowered, and comfortable. She believes in a “lead to serve” mentality, hoping to create a more personal connection with both her patients and team alike. Kiara curated a team of 13 professionals across eight clinics, six of which are in DFW, one in Houston, and one in Austin.
Kiara loves nothing more than creating a collaborating, educational approach with her team, and thrives on personal and professional growth opportunities. She hopes that her patients feel heard and encouraged at every InjectCo visit and that they are truly excited about their personalized and well-designed aesthetic treatment plan. This love for education and safety in the industry led her to later found Texas Academy of Medical Aesthetics, an accredited training program that specializes in a 100+ hour aesthetic injector internship where students are able to train and shadow at all eight of InjectCo’s clinics.


Kiara’s patients recognize her and the entire InjectCo team as highly skilled and extremely thorough clinicians. She hopes to continue being a knowledgeable and approachable resource for clinical injectors across the country who are hoping to grow and scale their aesthetic business.

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