Warning: What’s really being injected into Australians? Cosmetic boss says ‘don’t trust, check’
People are being warned not to assume every cosmetic clinic is using genuine, approved and properly sourced products, with one of the country's leading cosmetic industry figures warning consumers could be unknowingly exposing themselves to unnecessary risks in pursuit of beauty treatments.
Dr Vivek Eranki, CEO of Yooli™, said many people place enormous trust in cosmetic clinics without asking one critical question: how do you know the products being used on you are exactly what they claim to be?
"Most people spend more time researching a television or a mobile phone than they do researching what is being injected into their face or applied to their skin," Dr Eranki said.
"Consumers often assume every clinic operates to the same standards, uses the same products and follows the same compliance requirements. Unfortunately, that is not always the case."
The trust problem hiding in plain sight
Australia's cosmetic industry has experienced explosive growth over the past decade, with millions of treatments performed annually.
While many clinics operate professionally and ethically, Dr Eranki warned consumers should never assume that all providers are sourcing, storing and documenting products appropriately.
"The reality is that some operators are under intense commercial pressure," he said.
"When margins tighten, there can be temptation to cut corners, source products through non-traditional supply chains, purchase cheaper alternatives or prioritise cost over quality."
He said the problem extends beyond injectables.
"This applies to skin care products, skin treatments, laser consumables, waxes, peels and a wide range of products used every day throughout the beauty and cosmetic industry," Dr Eranki said.
What you don't know can hurt you
Dr Eranki said one of the biggest concerns is that many consumers have little visibility over what products are actually being used during treatments.
"You may be shown a product box or hear a product name, but do you know where it came from, how it was stored, whether it was sourced through authorised channels or whether appropriate records exist?" he said.
"Most consumers simply trust the clinic and hope for the best. My strong advice is, don't trust, check."
He said problems may not become apparent immediately.
"Some complications can emerge days, weeks or even months later. When something goes wrong, consumers often discover there is very little documentation available to verify exactly what was used, when it was used and who administered it," Dr Eranki said.
The rise of the compliance divide
Dr Eranki said the cosmetic industry is increasingly separating into two categories.
"On one side are clinics investing heavily in compliance, documentation, transparency and patient safety."
"On the other side are operators who view compliance as an inconvenience rather than a responsibility. Unfortunately, consumers often struggle to tell the difference.
"A beautiful website, luxury fit-out and social media following do not necessarily tell you anything about a clinic's internal standards. The clinic that looks the most glamorous is not automatically the safest."
Why transparency matters
Dr Eranki believes the future of the industry must revolve around traceability and transparency.
"Patients should be able to see exactly what treatment they received, what product was used, who performed the treatment and when it occurred," he said.
"If you cannot easily access that information, you should be asking why."
He said transparency protects both consumers and reputable clinics.
"Good clinics have nothing to hide. In fact, the best operators welcome greater transparency because it demonstrates the quality of their systems and processes," he added.
Questions every consumer should ask
Before undergoing any cosmetic treatment, Dr Eranki encouraged consumers to ask several important questions. Don't trust, check.
"Ask who will be performing the treatment and what qualifications they hold. Ask what products will be used and whether they can be documented and traced," Dr Eranki said.
"Ask what type of compliance systems the clinic uses and if treatment records are maintained and available. Also ask how the products are stored and monitored?
"Consumers should never feel uncomfortable asking questions. This is your face, your body and your health."
The role of Yooli™
Dr Eranki said one of the reasons Yooli™ was developed was to address the growing need for transparency across the cosmetic sector.
Yooli™ provides consumers with real-time access to treatment records, practitioner information, products used, treatment notes and ongoing treatment history.
"The goal is simple. Consumers deserve visibility and confidence," Dr Eranki said.
"If a treatment is performed, patients should be able to see exactly what happened, what products were used and who was responsible."
A warning Australians cannot afford to ignore
Dr Eranki's message is straightforward.
"Never assume every clinic is doing the right thing simply because they say they are," Dr Eranki said.
"Most clinics are professional and highly compliant. However, consumers should still do their homework. Your safety should never depend on blind trust.
"The clinics investing in transparency, compliance and accountability are investing in you and those are the clinics consumers should be looking for."
About Dr Eranki
Dr Vivek Eranki is the founder and CEO of Yooli™ and also the CEO of Cosmetique. He holds qualifications in governance, finance, management and medicine and has an extensive track record as a CEO in the Health, Wellness and Personal Services industry. He has founded, scaled and exited ventures across various sectors, including Allied Health, Occupational Health, General and Specialist Healthcare.
Website: https://vivekeranki.
Linkedin: https://www.
Instagram: https://www.
Twitter: @vivekeranki
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