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 be a threat to the health and safety of patients. Counterfeiters take advantage of the growing demand for accessible 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 real market prices, which should be a warning sign. Additionally, they often do not provide clear information about the company, such as the lack of details about contact or physical address. It is also common for them not to offer a direct and secure means of contact, such as a verified phone or email. To avoid falling into 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. Sometimes it is possible to find a counterfeit product in the market. It is important to be able to identify it to proceed with its removal from the market.
How to identify a counterfeit product?
Counterfeits often lack labels or have poorly made ones. Ensure that the product label includes all necessary information, such as the manufacturer, ingredients, expiration date, and batch number. It may not be easy, as counterfeit products at first glance are similar to the originals. Unusual packaging or poor-quality prints can indicate that the product is fake. Counterfeiters try to copy the original design, but the details are often incorrect, such as erroneous fonts or poorly printed logos.
The counterfeit product often has spelling errors on its packaging. There may also be typographical differences such as line spacing format or the font used.
Legitimate manufacturers allow products to be tracked 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 can be a difference in the gel structure or viscosity.
What should I do if I have doubts about authenticity?
If you suspect that a product may be counterfeit, do not use it, quarantine the product, and contact the manufacturer's local distributor to determine if the product is authentic. If you are a doctor established in Spain: in the event that it is confirmed that the product is counterfeit, report it to the AEMPS by email at the address 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, there are others that, although authentic, are not authorized in the European Union.
Products authorized in the European Union must meet the safety and quality requirements established by European legislation. These products have 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 not comply with the regulations, which puts the health and safety of consumers at risk. To recognize an authorized product, always check for the presence of the CE marking on its labeling or packaging.
What do we do at PIEL ETERNA to guarantee the safety of our customers?
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 customers. 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, providing our customers with the peace of mind that they are acquiring original and high-quality products.
Upon request, we will gladly send you photos of the products before they are shipped.