Buyer Beware

In the skincare industry, quality, precision, and safety are paramount. Professionals and enthusiasts alike rely on trusted tools to ensure effective treatments and procedures. Trusted industry brands have a reputation for high quality. However, as these products gain popularity, so do the chances of inferior copycat products entering the market.  In this case imitation is not the best form of flattery. As with any reputable brand, counterfeit and inferior low-quality products can pose serious risks to both the efficacy of treatments and the safety of users.   

In just the past year alone there have been known cases of counterfeiting for dermaplaning blades, makeup products, and even Botox. These pose a real and true threat to the safety of this industry. For example, proven counterfeit copies of a well-known, top of the line dermaplaning blade have been found on platforms such as Amazon, Etsy, eBay, and Walmart at extremely low prices because they are not manufactured with the high-quality standards of the authentic product. 

How To Identify Counterfeit Products 

To protect yourself and your clients from the risks associated with counterfeit products, it’s essential to be vigilant and know where you are sourcing your products.   

Purchase From Authorized Suppliers: Only purchase from authorized distributors and reputable suppliers. Think twice before buying from unfamiliar sellers on online marketplaces promoting highly discounted prices, as these may be indicators of counterfeit products. When the deal seems too good to be true, it usually is.   

Check Packaging And Labels: Genuine beauty industry products will be packaged with quality material with logos and product information clearly printed. Check for spelling errors, inconsistent branding, different size font, or unusual packaging design, as these may signal counterfeit products. But buyer beware – the differences can be very subtle. 

Inspect The Quality: Examine the product closely for signs of poor manufacturing.  If you’ve used it before and the product is not performing the same way, there’s a good chance the product is a low-quality substitute or counterfeit product.    

What To Do If You Suspect A Counterfeit Product 

Report It: If you believe that you have purchased a counterfeit product you should report it to the selling entity right away.   

Check With The Manufacturer: As a follow up, you might consider reaching out to the manufacturer of the product to share your information.   

Talk about it: Let your colleagues know what you’ve experienced. You may help them to know that a product they thought was bad was just a low-quality imitation of the real thing.   

Popular beauty and skincare treatments are valued for their ability to rejuvenate and refresh the skin. However, the use of counterfeit products poses significant risks to both the effectiveness of the procedures and the safety of individuals undergoing treatment. By staying informed, purchasing from trusted sources, and carefully inspecting products for authenticity, you can safeguard against the dangers of counterfeit products and ensure optimal results for yourself and your clients. Knowing and trusting the seller of the products you are using should be the number one priority to ensure you are properly caring for your clients.   

BIO 

Kelly Kramer is the Marketing Director for Cincinnati Surgical, the official North American partner of Swann Morton. These two companies have manufactured high-quality surgical blades since the 1930s.  Kelly has over 10 years of experience marketing blades and scalpels in the beauty and medical industries.