The illegal beauty industry is thriving as more and more people are opting for unqualified aestheticians over expert doctors. One of the most popular procedures is the injection of hyaluronic acid with a Hyaluron Pen, which introduces the substance into the skin without a needle. This method is advertised as safer and cheaper, but experts warn of serious and irreversible consequences.
According to Dr. Enikő Kuroli, a pathologist and dermatologist, cosmetologists are prohibited from penetrating the skin, either with a needle or with high-pressure equipment. Yet many take advantage of the high demand and continue to offer such services, as the cheap prices attract unsuspecting customers. In a story shared on social media, a woman revealed that she had filled with Hyaluron Pen three times, but the effect was minimal and she ended up spending more money than if she had gone to a doctor.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Tamás Varga warns that poorly performed hyaluronic acid fillings can have serious consequences, including infection, skin tissue necrosis, and even total loss of vision. He emphasizes that only trained doctors can safely perform such interventions. Despite this, the trend is growing as many aestheticians organize their own training and issue fake certificates that do not have official recognition.
Alongside illegal fillings, fat-dissolving injections, known as «lemon solution», are becoming increasingly popular. This substance can be freely purchased on the internet, even though it is not officially licensed in many countries. Some salons use it as part of facial shaping, despite no one knowing for sure what its long-term effects might be. The procedure has been investigated in Switzerland, and the Swismedic classified it as a drug, banning its cosmetic use. Despite this, many cosmetologists continue to use it, as the demand for quick and cheap solutions continues to grow.
Dr. Varga believes that cosmetologists often overstep their authority and perform interventions that should be exclusively performed by doctors. Although the laws of many countries clearly define who can perform invasive and non-invasive aesthetic treatments, there are still numerous abuses in practice. Moreover, there are doctors who do not have the appropriate aesthetic qualifications but still offer such treatments, posing an additional risk to patients. The consequences are often serious, and victims have to undergo expensive corrective procedures, which ultimately cost much more than an originally expensive but safe procedure. In some cases, legal consequences also arise.
