Talk about a shot in the dark.
Experts are sounding the alarm about a growing number of Americans injecting themselves at home with so-called “Korean Botox,” drawn in by promises of smooth skin at a fraction of the cost.
Those jumping on the viral Innotox trend, they warn, are playing a game of cosmetic roulette that comes with risks far more serious than a few forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet.
What is Innotox ?
Innotox is a South Korean treatment that contains botulinum toxin type A, the same active ingredient found in Botox, according to Korean Beauty Tech.
It works by temporarily relaxing facial muscles to reduce contractions, which softens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, resulting in smoother, more youthful-looking skin.
But unlike Botox, which arrives freeze-dried and must be reconstituted with a sterile solution, Innotox comes as a ready-to-use liquid — making the injection process simpler and more tempting for those looking for a DIY option.
Why are people choosing Innotox?
Aside from the convenience, Innotox fans point to two big draws: faster, longer lasting results and a lower price tag.
While Botox typically takes 4 to 7 days to show effects, some Innotox users report visible changes within 2 to 3 days. Its results can last up to six months — outpacing the usual three-to-four-month lifespan of Botox.
“It works amazing, almost three months and I’m not moving my forehead,” Karen Freeman, a content creator on TikTok, said in a recent video.
“Normally it would be time for me to do this again, but no, good ol’ Innotox is still working and ain’t mad about it,” she added.
Then there’s the cost. A vial of Innotox can be found on third-party sites for as little as $60 to $100, depending on the number of units and the supplier.
By comparison, the average Botox treatment cost was $528 in 2022, according to GoodRx.
What are the risks of self-administering Innotox?
First and foremost, Innotox is not FDA-approved.
That means it’s not subject to the same strict safety and efficacy standards as Botox or other botulinum toxin products legally available in the US.
It also raises questions about quality control — especially when it’s purchased from unverified sellers online.
“Don’t inject yourself with fake Botox products from the internet, I beg of you,” warned Molly O’Rourke, a clinical nurse injector, in a recent Instagram video.
“This is coming from a safety standpoint because these medications are not regulated,” she continued. “It already comes pre-diluted, which should frighten you because what is that?”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has echoed similar warnings, noting that counterfeit or improperly sourced botulinum toxin has been linked to serious medical complications.
Even if the product is genuine, the DIY approach carries major risks.
Online videos often show people injecting Innotox with minimal training or understanding of facial anatomy — something medical professionals say is highly dangerous.
“If you have real neurotoxin there and you’re just injecting it into the wrong places, you could have facial muscle weakness or facial muscle paralysis,” Dr. Evan Rieder, who is board-certified in dermatology and psychiatry, told Today.com.
But the potential dangers aren’t limited to your face.
Dr. Michelle Henry, a board-certified dermatologist, told the outlet that the trend is “dangerous” and “terrifying.”
“If you have too much botulinum toxin in your body, you get flaccid paralysis, meaning all of your muscles stop working and contracting, including the muscles you need to breathe,” she said. “That’s how patients die.”
While Henry added that there are “ways that I won’t even inject myself,” both Rieder and O’Rourke said they won’t inject themselves at all.
While not everyone will experience complications, experts warn that those self-injecting at home may lack the knowledge to properly treat issues or recognize when urgent medical care is needed.
“Just leave it to the professionals,” O’Rourke said. “I’m all for wanting to learn to do something yourself, but this isn’t one of those things.”
Medytox, the company that makes Innotox, told Today.com that it “only sells prescription products to authorized medical providers and medical distribution companies” and it is “unaware that some of the product is being offered online in unapproved countries or available to consumers.”
“Medytox certainly does not endorse the self-injection of botulinum toxins by consumers,” they said in a statement.
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