Self-Injecting: A Concern We Can't Ignore

Can aesthetic practitioners inject their own toxins and fillers? Technically, yes. But the real question is: should they?

I've often expressed my concerns about self-injecting with facial injectables from both ethical and safety perspectives. To my surprise, Ive encountered significant pushback, even from some of my mentors, when I assumed we’d all agree on prioritizing safety and professionalism in aesthetic medicine.

Comments ranged from "I only trust myself with my face" to "I know my anatomy best," and even, "I've been injecting my face for the last 20 years without any issues." My internal response? “Your a dick.” My online response “I beg to differ”

It’s disheartening to scroll through social media and see countless videos of self-injecting, from doctors and nurses to everyday individuals.

During our aesthetic courses at The Confidence Lab, I always aim to start the conversation on the right foot. I emphasize the downsides & unprofessional use of self-injecting, and I always see agreement in the room.

While it’s not illegal to self-inject, we really need to ask ourselves: is it safe?

Currently, there are no mandatory regulations preventing this practice, which raises a lot of questions.

So, why do people self-inject? Let’s be honest: the primary motivation is often for visual appeal and, in a way, education (albeit a misguided one). There are numerous videos of aesthetic practitioners—physicians and nurses alike—self-injecting, with many racking up thousands of likes and shares. While these videos might have some educational value, they also send a questionable message about our field, suggesting that anyone can do this. Just picture the scenario: an injectable nurse sitting in front of the mirror, camera set up, self-injecting, only to suddenly experience intense pain and visual disturbances. This has likely happened (cue slight exaggeration), but it rarely makes it to social media!

Now, don’t think I’m being Matron like. I understand the temptation to sneak in a unit or two of tox for a little touch-up of a spock brow. However, I strongly believe that showcasing this on camera poorly represents our profession.

In my opinion, there’s really no good reason to self-inject, especially not in front of a camera. I’ve joked about this before, but I genuinely mean it: self-injecting should be like masturbation - a private matter—something done in the comfort of your own home where nobody needs to see it or hear it!

Thank you to everyone who spreads the word about the importance of refraining from self-injecting, especially to a virtual audience.