Are Botox Parties the new Tupperware Parties?

Invitations, cheese plate, injectables?

Once upon a time, ladies would put on their Sunday’s finest and head out to a friend’s place for a two-birds-one-stone gathering known as Tupperware parties. These shindigs took place at the hostess’s home, and offered guests—usually friends, and friends of friends—the opportunity to purchase the latest and greatest food storage systems while mingling over cocktails and light bites.

In 2019, our get togethers have gotten just a little more self-indulgent. In the past few years, Botox parties have grown in popularity, offering cosmetic procedures and the promise of a smooth forehead, a face free of fine lines and larger lips. Group treatments often involve a discounted rate, and can be free of charge for the host in turn for promoting the services.

Last fall, just before the Toronto International Film Festival, I went to one such party hosted by Real Housewife of Toronto’s Ann Kaplan at her Bridle Path mansion. The guest list included women in the media industry who might want to get festival ready by partaking in their choice of three services from a list that included a chemical peel, Botox, lip injections, mani, blowout and makeup application. I choose the latter three services, but many a media darling chose the first three.

Kaplan’s husband, Dr. Stephen Mulholland, is a board-certified plastic surgeon and owner of SpaMedica in Toronto. He hires doctors and registered nurses to provide injectables at SpaMedica, some of whom were onsite at his and Kaplans home for the party. They had dedicated a room to these services and ensured it was sterile before the guests arrived.

Caterers walked around serving healthy appetizers, Dom was being poured in flutes for those who opted out of cosmetic treatments, Sassoon Salon’s creative director Wesley Hanlon was on hand for hairstyling and Toronto photographer Kayla Rocca snapped “after” photos.

Not all Botox parties are created equal, however. There have been reports in the news lately about women suffering allergic reactions and botched faces after undergoing procedures at unregulated, unsanitary Botox parties. Last December, a story went viral about a 29-year-old British woman, Rachael Knappier, who went to a Botox party and got her lips injected with filler, only to get a severe reaction a few hours later. Reportedly, her lips swelled so drastically that they were touching her nose. Shaking, vomiting and unable to feel her lips, she was rushed to the ER.

“They call it a party for a reason—there’s usually alcohol and social drugs that create a toxic mix for treatment,” says Dr. Marc DuPéré of Toronto’s Visage Clinic. “All injectables—even Botox, which seems easy and benign—need a licensed doctor. Most of those parties do not offer a doctor assessment and the procedures are done by nurses or non-professionals.” The College of Nurses of Ontario confirms that nurses can administer Botox—however, it must be under the direction of a doctor.

Dr. DuPéré also notes that unlicensed injectors at parties may be using black market Botox, which is often watered down. “You have to trust your doctor and clinic and you need to know the product is safe and Health Canada approved.”

“They call it a party for a reason—there’s usually alcohol and social drugs that create a toxic mix for treatment.”

So how do you ensure you’re in safe hands and that the products haven’t been messed with? According to Dr. DuPéré, by only getting procedures done in a medical environment. He advises finding a doctor who is part of the Canadian society of plastic surgeons via the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada website. When deciding on a doctor, he says to look at the injector’s experience by checking out online reviews and their personal social media accounts that showcase their testimonials and success stories.

When you go into the clinic, be sure to assess its cleanliness before signing any contracts. And if the deal looks too good, be careful. “Botox is a serious technique that requires knowledge about facial anatomy and knowledge about how to handle complications,” says Dr. DuPéré. “It also requires artistry.”

Despite these warnings, many women would still rather get treatment done at a friend’s house. It comes with comfort and a sense of comradery. It makes it a fun experience as opposed to a clinical one.

A happy medium may be Botox parties that take place at medical offices. Vedika Solecki, 29, founder of Sheek PR agency in Toronto, went to a Botox party that was held at Beauty Bar, a clinic in Yorkville. VIP clients and friends were invited to an apres work, after-hours party where they could choose one injectable service, like filler or Botox, and one luxury service, such as teeth whitening or a chemical peel—all free of charge.

Solecki had been curious about Botox and decided to attend the party to learn more about the treatment and decide if it was right for her. “When I arrived, there were some snacks set out and the party kicked off with an educational session where they talked about the difference between filler and Botox, and how skin matures over time,” says Solecki. There was alcohol for those who weren’t partaking in any treatment. Nurses were on hand to discuss whether guests should get work done or wait, based on their appearance and desires. Solecki decided to get Botox on the spot and has been doing it ever since as a preventative measure for her still-young skin.

If you do choose to host a Botox party, it’s important to protect yourself legally to avoid exposure to risk or liability. “Enter into an agreement with the service provider,” says Toronto-based branding lawyer Ashlee Froese, owner of branding firm Froese Law. “The agreement should include a representation and warranty that they are qualified to perform the services and they are compliant with all applicable laws, and that they indemnify you from all liability, in the event that a claim arises from the event.”

In addition to that, “Make all guests sign a documentation whereby they confirm that there is a limitation of liability and that you are only a host providing the venue—you take no responsibility over the products and/or service,” says Froese.

And if you’re thinking about attending a Botox party, tempted by the cheaper group rate, go in aware of the risks, stay clear of alcohol and take the advice of the medical professional in terms of how much injectable to use. Don’t fall prey to social pressure or the desire to emulate your Instagram girl crush. “Be safe. Don’t risk your health, or your face,” says Dr. DuPéré. “You only have one.”

 

    More on cosmetic procedures