The fight against counterfeit aesthetic products: a matter of safety and health
In recent years, the market for counterfeit aesthetic products has grown alarmingly. Despite strict regulations and quality controls in many countries, these fraudulent products continue to pose a threat to patients' health and safety. Counterfeiters take advantage of the growing demand for affordable aesthetic treatments and the lack of clear information to introduce dangerous products that can cause serious adverse effects.
On the Internet, there are scammers selling counterfeit or unauthorized aesthetic products. These sites often have prices that are too low compared to actual market prices, which should be a warning sign. Additionally, they often do not provide clear information about the company, such as missing contact details or physical address. It is also common that they do not offer a direct and secure means of contact, such as a verified phone number or email. To avoid falling victim to scams, it is always important to verify the legitimacy of the website, look for reviews from other users, and ensure that the products have the appropriate certifications. Occasionally, a counterfeit product may be found on the market. It is important to be able to identify it in order to proceed with its removal from the market.
How to identify a counterfeit product?
Counterfeits usually lack labels or have poorly made ones. Make sure the product label includes all necessary information, such as the manufacturer, ingredients, expiration date, and batch number. This may not be easy, as counterfeit products often look very similar to the originals at first glance. Unusual packaging or poor-quality printing can indicate that the product is fake. Counterfeiters try to copy the original design, but details are often incorrect, such as wrong fonts or poorly printed logos.
Counterfeit products often have spelling errors on their packaging. There may also be typographical differences such as line spacing or the font used.
Legitimate manufacturers allow products to be traced through a batch number. If there is no way to perform this tracking, the product could be a counterfeit that cannot be recalled in case of problems.
It is important to note that if the batch number is damaged or illegible, this could be a sign that the product is not authentic.
Counterfeit products often have a different texture, color, or consistency than the original. In hyaluronic acid fillers, this may be a difference in gel structure or viscosity.
What should I do if I have doubts about authenticity?
If you suspect a product may be counterfeit, do not use it, quarantine the product, and contact the local distributor of the manufacturer to determine if the product is authentic. If you are a physician established in Spain: if it is confirmed that the product is counterfeit, report it to the AEMPS by email at psvigilancia@aemps.es, including the details of the company that supplied you with the product. If you are aware of any incident related to the use of these products, report it through the NotificaPS portal.
How can I recognize products that are not authorized in the EU?
While some products are counterfeit, others, although authentic, are not authorized in the European Union.
Products authorized in the European Union must comply with the safety and quality requirements established by European legislation. These products bear the CE marking, which guarantees that they have been evaluated and comply with EU regulations. On the other hand, products not authorized in the EU may lack this marking or fail to meet regulations, putting consumers' health and safety at risk. To recognize an authorized product, always verify the presence of the CE marking on its label or packaging.
What do we do at PIEL ETERNA to ensure the safety of our clients?
At PIEL ETERNA, we only offer products that have the CE certificates required by the European Union. We are committed to providing the highest safety to our clients. To guarantee the authenticity of our products, we include the batch number on all our invoices and delivery notes. This not only ensures the traceability of each item but also allows us to prevent product counterfeiting, giving our clients the peace of mind that they are purchasing original, high-quality products.
Upon request, we will gladly send you photos of the products before they are shipped.