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Botox Is Medical Procedure

By Amy E. Feldman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - What is incredible is NOT that two different women died recently after having their behinds injected with silicone, leading to murder charges against the two unlicensed practitioners who injected them, but how many people consider getting injected by quacks. That's because the public, and even some people in the medical profession, view botox injections, fillers and laser treatments as cosmetic procedures rather than medical treatments, which is why they'll go for the lowest price rather than the most trained practitioner.

State laws differ but in all states, you need to be informed of the risks of the procedures and medical records must be kept about your treatment.

In some states - but not all - you have to be a licensed physician, nurse or nurse's assistant to conduct the procedure. But even states that require medical licensure have no further requirements than that - a person with a medical license is considered qualified, regardless of the type of medicine he practices.

Just as you wouldn't go to a dentist with a heart attack just because he's called doctor, you need more information on what your practitioner actually knows about what he's doing for you. Ask about the practitioner's qualifications. Ask what happens in the event of an emergency.

And, if you have to ask 'why am I meeting you in a hotel room rather than a hospital?'...run.

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