Is it Safe and Effective? Dr. Donn R. Chatham Weighs In
Recently, there have been reports about individuals self-administering fillers at home. It is unsurprising to Dr. Donn R. Chatham, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, that this practice has resulted in complications.
An Allure Magazine article published on April 29, 2025, reported on this troubling DIY aesthetic procedure trend.1 “Have you seen patients who’ve done their own injectables at home?” was a question posed at several conferences here and abroad. According to the article’s author, Elizabeth Siegel, “almost every hand in the room went up. ‘We’re talking 50, 60 doctors at the first, and hundreds at an international conference,’ says Theda Kontis, MD, FACS, the double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who conducted the informal poll.”
Dr. Chatham is concerned about this trend and asks the following key questions:
- What are these products?
- Where do they come from?
- Are the fillers really hyaluronic acid?
- Are they sterile?
- Are they adulterated with unknown stuff?
There are a variety of Hyaluron Pen Fillers for sale. These pens have been around many years and are available for a range of prices, from $85 to $125. Injectable ampules and materials for use with the pens are available, too. You might wonder why it’s legal to sell injectables online to anyone, no medical degree necessary. “It happens outside of regulated channels—and injectables that are acquired in this manner are counterfeit and can pose serious health risks,” says Dr. Chatham.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the public and healthcare professionals not to use needle-free devices, such as Hyaluron Pens or ‘Dermal Pens,’ for injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) or other lip and facial fillers.
What Risks are Associated with DIY Injectables?
Self-injecting these products may result in health issues such as bleeding and bruising. Dr. Chatham indicates that additional consequences may include:
- Infection with bacteria, fungus, or virus
- Blockage of a blood vessel leading to skin necrosis
- Lumps under the skin
- Allergic reactions
- In some instances, blindness could result!
Dr. Chatham has personally seen a patient who self-injected with a neurotoxin (Botox is an example) they purchased from outside the USA, and this created a significant facial weakness that had to run its course. Lesson learned the hard way.
There are legitimate methods, techniques, and devices that can be safely used by folks at home, beyond topical skincare creams. “This includes some energy-based hair reduction lights, some weak lasers, some LED light devices for skin rejuvenation, gentle skin exfoliating devices, some micro current devices, and some weak radio frequency devices. But be careful with all of them,” advises Dr. Chatham.
Take Home Message!
Leave the facial injections to an experienced well-trained medical person. Complications can happen anytime with anyone, but odds increase with experimental self-treatment. DON’T DO IT!
A qualified and experienced cosmetic physician who has training and skills in injection techniques should perform your facial filler injections. Knowledge of facial anatomy, including facial planes and soft tissue is important to achieve optimal non-surgical facial sculpting results.
As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and Medical Director of Chatham Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Donn R. Chatham will do his best to provide a safe and comfortable procedure with positive and artistically pleasing results.
Schedule your consultation with Dr. Chatham online, or by calling (502) 895-4820.
1 Siegel, Elizabeth. “People Are Doing Their Own Filler at Home Now, What could go wrong? Glad you asked.” Allure, April 29, 2025. Accessed May 2025.
