Study examines how COVID lockdowns have led to more at-home self-administered cosmetic procedures

24 Nov 2021 --- The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown has led an increasing number of people relying on dubious “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) tutorial videos online to show them how to use fillers and botox blends. And, in some cases, this has led to disfigurement.

This is according to a study conducted by researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine who detail that the pandemic was responsible for cosmetic clinic shutdowns, leading consumers to self-administer cosmetic procedures.

The researchers tracked three cases of US consumers who took part in the “DIY” cosmetic procedures. The first patient suffered complications due to injecting platelet-rich plasma concentrate to her face at home.

The second patient experienced swelling after self-administration of presumed (internet purchased) hyaluronic acid filler. Lastly, the third patient developed redness and scabbing from self-administered trichloroacetic acid (TCA 80%) peels at home.

“During the lockdown, doctor-patient interactions slowly resumed largely in the form of telemedicine clinics, however many cosmetic clinics remained closed,” says Neelam Vashi, associate professor of dermatology at Boston University School of Medicine and director of the Boston University Cosmetic and Laser Center at Boston Medical Center.

“Unable to seek professional care, many felt compelled to search for easily obtained yet riskier cosmetic options.”Before and after treatment: A large abscess on the right cheek after at-home hyaluronic acid filler injection (Credit: Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, US).

According to the researchers, there is a lot of misinformation readily available on the internet in how-to-videos and instructional web pages. These self-proclaimed and unverified “experts” teach their audiences how to self-administer cosmetic procedures based on incorrect information.

After “DIY” procedures
The researchers tracked the patients who developed complications following home-administered cosmetic procedures without professional assistance. The study authors flag that all patients suffer from a continued abnormality in the pigmentation of the skin and scarring, some of which may be permanent.

“The existence of e-commerce websites has made procurement of heavily regulated products such as dermal fillers and hazardous compounds like trichloroacetic acid and many more exponentially easier. Many retailers sell counterfeit products of unknown quality, containing banned ingredients,” Vashi explains.

“This engenders a situation that leads to vulnerable patients being taken advantage of and suffering unintended and undesired consequences.”

While cosmetic procedures such as fillers have many possible complications, these procedures tend to be very safe with no to minimal side effects when performed by licensed professionals.

A need for stricter measures
The researchers add that while people’s desire to look beautiful and their actions to achieve a certain level of attractiveness is unlikely to change, they believe the issue lies in government regulations.Before and after treatment: Deep chemical burns on the right cheek after at-home trichloroacetic acid peels (Credit: Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, US).

The availability of illegally traded products and cosmetic procedures can be diminished with regulatory efforts carried out by law enforcement and the communities themselves.

“Dermatologists should educate patients on the importance of performing cosmetic procedures in a safe environment with trained professionals, especially during the pandemic,” Vashi adds.

Additionally, individuals that broadcast misinformation should be held accountable.

Social media’s and the internet’s impact
The internet has birthed a “detrimental model,” where social media users can easily create unhealthy comparisons with others. Misinformation is easily accessible, as is access to illegally traded products, study authors state.

Considering this, on Monday, Lush Cosmetics took a stand against the dangers of social media by deactivating its global Facebook, Instagram and TikTok accounts. This move results from the brand’s efforts to shield its customers from the “harm and manipulation” they may experience while trying to connect with Lush on social media.

By Nicole Kerr

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