Can I share a syringe with my friend or family member?
Whether you’re trying to save money or you’re afraid of being “overdone,” this is a form of malpractice. There are a few reasons for this, the primary being contamination and safety. It’s simple microbiology. Sharing syringes, even if the needle is changed, can transmit disease.
Dermal filler syringes do not come with one-way valves which allows for potential back flow of blood inside the syringe. Why risk the possibility of disease transmission to save a buck? Even if you absolutely know the person, medical standards dictate these syringes are single-use devices. See what the CDC has to say about it here.
Can’t you save part of the syringe you don’t use for later use on me?
This issue could be debated but it is still best to fall back on standard protocols. There have been a few studies that demonstrated dermal filler being stored with the needle removed and the original plug replaced in a controlled environment did not have bacteria growing on the filler. However, these studies were VERY controlled and had specific timeframes of days and weeks, not months or years.
As previously discussed, single-use devices should be discarded upon completion of treatment. It says so right on the box of all Juvederm fillers!
Safety considerations if you have the opportunity to be treated with a partial syringe:
- How do you know that’s your syringe or that it hasn’t been used to treat anyone else?
- Could a biofilm have formed on the product putting you at risk?
- Could exposure have hardened the product changing its form?
- Has the product expired since its original use?
- Is this an older version of the product which has since been updated?
Safety aside… If I only need a partial syringe, why should I pay for a full syringe?
The idea that you are simply buying some liquid in a syringe is a big misconception. What you are buying is your desired aesthetic result from a highly-trained medical provider. The cost of the physical product makes up only a portion of the price that you pay, the other part is paying for the assessment, prescription and administering of treatment by your provider, the latter of which is the more valuable.
Part of your due diligence in finding a good provider to help you achieve your desired aesthetic result is educating yourself. If you gain some understanding of standard safety measures, you can know how to identify malpractice and protect yourself.
