Botulism from Fake “Botox”? How Boston Plastic Surgery Keeps You Safe
Posted on August 15, 2025 | by Boston Plastic Surgery
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health recently issued a warning about a growing cluster of botulism cases, all linked to an individual administering Botox-type injectables at a spa on the South Shore.
While state authorities continue to investigate these events, this is an opportunity to learn how to protect yourself and choose a safe practice.
We Will Never Use “Fake Botox”
FDA-approved medications do not contain live botulinum toxin, and Boston Plastic Surgery has never—and will never—use anything but genuine FDA-approved products for injection.
The only wrinkle-relaxing medications proven safe are purified, non-viable forms of botulinum toxin produced under strict pharmaceutical controls and approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA): Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, Daxxify, and Letybo.
To date, no verified cases of botulism have been associated with FDA-approved products.
How We Source and Handle Your Botox
We take numerous steps to guarantee the safety, authenticity, and proper handling of your treatment:
- Direct-from-manufacturer purchasing through licensed U.S. distributors (never online resellers or third parties).
- Lot-number traceability recorded in your medical chart for full transparency.
- Proper storage, including temperature control, from delivery to injection
Powerful Medications Require Highly Trained, Licensed Professionals
Botox-type injectables temporarily relax targeted facial muscles. Because they affect neuromuscular function, only providers with advanced anatomical knowledge and dosing experience should inject them. At Boston Plastic Surgery, every treatment is performed by one of our credentialed medical professionals:
- Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Fouad Samaha
- Fellowship-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Alannah Phelan
- Physician Assistant Aliza Holstein, MS, PA-C
- Experienced Nurse Injector Kiara Kupris, RN
Not only do our injectors have strong backgrounds in medicine, they attend regular continuing education courses and follow evidence-based protocols.
How to Protect Yourself from Counterfeit Products
When it comes time to book your Botox, here are a few ways you can more easily spot “red flags” and avoid counterfeit, unsafe wrinkle relaxers:
Question bargain pricing that is “too good to be true.”
If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Genuine neurotoxins will have similar pricing no matter which practice you go to.
Verify credentials.
Ask to see your injector’s medical license, nursing license, or physician assistant license.
Request to view the box and vial.
Authentic packaging features the manufacturer’s holographic seal and a U.S. lot number that will match your medical chart.
Research the practice.
Look for consistent patient reviews, before-and-after photos, and evidence of physician oversight at the practice or medical spa.
Your health and safety have always been—and will always be—our highest priority and the foundation of everything we do at Boston Plastic Surgery. If you have concerns about neurotoxin safety, we’re available to help at 617-786-7600.
