Counterfeit and scammers in cosmetology: an investigation by Healthy Food Near Me

Firsthand: what happened?

Our editor heard a lot of good things about the Ultherapy non-surgical ultrasound SMAS lifting procedure^®, as a result of which it is possible to quickly and effectively tighten the skin of the face, as well as in the neck and décolleté area, I decided to consult a doctor and, as it turned out, found myself in a typical situation. She did not choose for a long time, but came to the “proven” clinic, trusting the recommendations of her friend. Fortunately, before starting the procedure, she was alarmed by the behavior of a specialist (fortunately, she wrote more than one article on beauty procedures and aesthetic medicine), and she asked to show a certificate of training on the apparatus for carrying out Altera therapy. During further negotiations, it turned out that not only the master does not have the necessary diploma, but the clinic itself cannot show the necessary certificates for the equipment. And this is just the tip of the iceberg!

So, starting our beauty investigation, we found out that this is a common problem that causes serious concern among manufacturers and distributors of cosmetic equipment. The situation with end users is more complicated.

For example, a recent study by BrandMonitor revealed a curious paradox:

• 79% of surveyed consumers are not ready to undergo the ultrasonic SMAS-lifting procedure using non-original equipment.
• At the same time, 57% of survey participants will not be able to distinguish advertising procedures on original equipment from services on potentially dangerous counterfeit devices.

In other words, even those patients who are mindful and strive to take care of their health and safety can still fall prey to scammers!

SMAS lifting according to the rules: how not to get into the same situation?

Our colleague was lucky – she was vigilant in time and avoided risks and potential harm to health. A few days later, she turned to a reliable clinic and in the end was satisfied with the doctor’s work and the result.

However, everything could be even easier if, before visiting the first clinic, she checked the website of the manufacturer and the official distributor of the Ultherapy device.^® in Russia – the Merz company, which runs its own anti-counterfeiting program. There you can find all the information about the procedure and, most importantly, a list of medical institutions operating only on original devices in compliance with all safety precautions!

Olga Stepanova, General Director of Merz Russia: “First of all, we try to appeal to doctors, because they are responsible for the safety and efficiency of procedures. We urge them to be very careful, attentive and not always put short profit and high profitability at the forefront. However, we also inform consumers about the procedure and provide an opportunity to choose a clinic, contacting which does not carry the risk of encountering illegal equipment. “

In addition, the excessively low (even as a result of “super actions”) cost of the procedure should also be on the alert. A survey from BrandMonitor showed that most users do not represent the real cost of the ultrasound SMAS-lifting procedure, underestimating it almost twice! It is these expectations that allow unscrupulous specialists to “lure” consumers with attractive prices, hiding details about the legality of their equipment. Remember that in the pursuit of cheapness, the most precious thing you have – your health – may suffer!

What do experts think: why is there a lot of counterfeit products in Russia?

Beauty professionals are sure that one of the reasons for the appearance on the market of “gray” procedures, unscrupulous specialists and clinics working on counterfeit equipment is the growing popularity of non-surgical ultrasonic SMAS lifting and other effective hardware techniques. It is because of the increased demand and, at the same time, low consumer awareness of the real cost and step-by-step technique for performing such services, fraudsters and unscrupulous clinics offer not only unregistered or illegally imported injectable drugs, but also counterfeit (and significantly cheaper) equipment.

Our editors warn: such procedures and work on such devices are at least ineffective, and at most unsafe!

Salome Abalyan, chief physician of the L’Art clinic, an expert on instrumental methods in aesthetic medicine: “Unfortunately, we notice that patients are poorly informed about the real cost of the procedure and the required qualifications of a cosmetologist. And social networks mislead them, publishing ads uncontrollably and luring them with super discounts and promotions. Meanwhile, this procedure cannot be cheap, because the device is based on advanced technological advances. In addition, many patients do not realize the seriousness of the consequences of the procedure performed on counterfeit equipment. At best, the result simply will not be, at worst – they risk getting burns, irritation, temporary paresis or even damage to the facial nerve, leading to facial asymmetry. “

Instead of an afterword: a useful check-up during a cosmetic procedure

Summing up the results of our investigation, I would like to emphasize once again: be vigilant and follow a few simple rules, thanks to which you will definitely not put your health at risk!

• Even if the clinic or specialist was advised by an acquaintance, if friends or relatives are completely satisfied with the results, you need to check everything yourself (for example, on the manufacturer’s website).
• You should not blindly trust discounts and promotions – the low cost of the service should also alert you.
• Arriving at the clinic, you need to make sure that you have a marketing authorization and a declaration of conformity and check other documents confirming that the drug or equipment is registered in Russia and has passed all the necessary checks. It is also important to remember that you can always contact the manufacturer directly for any clarifications. 
• Ask the cosmetologist for a certificate or diploma of completed training that allows you to work on a specific device, and do not hesitate to leave before the start of the procedure if something is still confusing. 

Remember, your health is in your hands!

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