Beauty Industry & Med Spa
Botox parties, black-market filler, and the unregulated cosmetic procedures targeting under-25s. The beauty industry has a drug problem: unlicensed injectors, counterfeit Botox, illegal filler sold online, and teenagers getting lip filler at kitchen-table parties. These substances and procedures carry real risk — vascular occlusion, blindness, sepsis, and worse.
Botulinum Toxin (Botox)
Clear vials of freeze-dried toxin, reconstituted with saline; injected in units
Dermal Fillers (HA & Biostimulators)
Syringes/pre-filled pens of hyaluronic acid gel (Juvederm, Restylane) or biostimulators (Sculptra); or black-market filler vials sold online
Black-Market Silicone Injections
Industrial silicone oil or biopolymer gel injected at 'pumping parties' — hips, buttocks, breasts, lips
Hyaluronidase (Filler Dissolver)
Vials of enzyme powder, reconstituted to inject
Fat-Dissolving Injections (Kybella & Copycats)
Injection vials of deoxycholic acid or phosphatidylcholine; injected into fat pockets
Melanotan (Tanning Injections)
Brownish powder vials reconstituted for injection; nasal sprays
Bimatoprost (Latisse / Lash Serums)
Eyeliner-style applicator bottles of prostaglandin solution
Hyaluron Pen (DIY Filler Injector)
Pen-shaped spring-loaded device that force-sprays hyaluronic acid or other liquids into the skin — no needle, sold on marketplaces and social media
Glutathione IV (Skin-Whitening Drips)
IV bags or vials administered at 'drip bars', med spas, and salons — especially Southeast Asia, Africa, Caribbean; oral pills as weaker version
PDO Thread Lifts (Non-Surgical Facelift)
Dissolvable barbed sutures inserted under the skin to lift jowls/brows; 'lunchtime facelift' at med spas
PRP 'Vampire Facial' (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
Your own blood drawn, spun in a centrifuge, plasma injected or microneedled into the face
Cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting / Fat Freezing)
Clinic paddles that freeze fat pockets (abdomen, chin); also sold as home 'fat freeze belts' and machines on marketplaces
Poly-L-lactic Acid (Sculptra)
Vials of poly-L-lactic acid microspheres reconstituted with saline; injected over 2–3 sessions for gradual volume
Mesotherapy (Injectable Cocktails)
Micro-injections of custom 'cocktails' — vitamins, enzymes, plant extracts, phosphatidylcholine — into fat or skin; also 'skin booster' hyaluronic microdroplets
Biotin Injections & Hair IV Drips
IM/IV biotin, zinc, B-complex 'hair drips' at wellness bars; oral megadoses (10,000 mcg) everywhere
Plasma Fibroblast Pens (DIY Skin Tightening)
Pen-like device creating tiny plasma burns ('carbon dots') on skin to tighten eyelids/neck; home versions sold on marketplaces for $40–$150
Carboxytherapy (CO2 Injections)
Medical CO2 gas injected under skin to 'improve circulation' and reduce cellulite/stretch marks; offered at med spas
Syn-Ake & 'Snake Venom' Cosmetics
Anti-wrinkle creams with synthetic peptides mimicking waglerin-1 (temple viper venom) that 'freezes' mimic lines
Apetamin (Unlicensed Weight-Gain Syrup)
Sweet syrup marketed on Instagram and TikTok for curves/weight gain; contains cyproheptadine, lysine, and vitamins.