Luscious lips are all over the social media. As it costs 400 euros per injection in France, it should be considered as luxury there. However, the demand is so high that a parallel market has developed on Instagram. Some French journalists from France Télévisions, the public-sector broadcasting, have investigated these tempting offers.
A parallel market has developed on Instagram.
The research starts in Paris suburbs – meeting with a woman called Sofia. The journalists are surprised to get an appointment in a small apartment. When they arrive there, the tiny living room is packed with a group of about ten young women between 20 and 30 years old. They are all waiting for their turn. Each of them gets the injection in the kitchen, behind a simple screen and they all pay in cash.
No guarantee on the quality of the products and diplomas
A friend of Sofia, her assistant, reassures “the injection takes no time”. The undercover journalist acts like a student and asks questions “Is it hyaluronic acid ? “Are you a qualified nurse with a degree ?” She has no guarantee on the quality of the products and diplomas. Finally, she leaves pretending that she must withdraw the 200 euros for the injection.
Only medical doctors can legally give injections
People like Sofia cross the line practicing without a license. If she goes to the court, she could get 30 000 euros fine and 2 years in prison. Sofia is not the only one who takes risks. Some patients can face huge complications as the products can migrate and block the arteries around, for example, creating necrosis in the nose.
Sébastien Garson, member of the SOFCEP (French Society of the Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) admits he is worried about these illegal practices “because of what is happening on some social media, it becomes commonplace. It is scary.” Only medical doctors can legally give acid hyaluronic injections.
Credits : Complément d’enquête. Du selfie au bistouri : les jeunes accros à la chirurgie ?