Think this industry is polished, sterile, and by-the-book? Think again. In this episode of Behind the Dirty Needle, we’re sharing the most jaw-dropping, unsafe, and flat-out unbelievable things we’ve personally witnessed in the world of med spas—from injectors watching YouTube tutorials moments before treating patients, to liposuction happening in med spas.

We expose the ugly truths behind:

• Dangerous off-label injection techniques

• Overfilled clients and deceptive before-and-after photos

• “Master injectors” with a single weekend of training

• Dirty glove protocols

• Ghost medical directors with zero oversight

• And the toxic power dynamics that silence good injectors

If you’ve ever wondered how is this legal?, this one’s for you.

Think you’re making informed choices at the med spa? Think again. In this episode of Behind the Dirty Needle, we expose the biggest lies the aesthetics industry uses to keep you spending—without you even realizing it. From the misleading promise of “Baby Botox” to the myth of Botox resistance and the truth about filler migration, we break down the sneaky marketing tactics that prioritize profits over your results.

We also call out fake urgency sales strategies and explain how to protect yourself from pressure-filled consults and shady injectors who care more about quotas than your face.

If you’ve ever been told “this deal won’t last” or felt confused by conflicting treatment advice, this episode will give you the clarity (and confidence) you need to spot the red flags—and say no.

In this episode of Behind the Dirty Needle, we’re pulling back the curtain on the competitive—and often toxic—culture driving unethical behavior in the aesthetics world. From fake Google reviews and Facetuned before-and-afters to injectors pressured into over-treating for commissions, we expose how med spas manipulate public perception to chase profits.

We also dive into the dark side of internal industry politics: retaliatory non-competes, lawsuits, and the high-turnover, drama-filled environment injectors face behind the scenes. If you thought aesthetics was all about beauty, think again—this is business, and it’s brutal.

Whether you’re a consumer trying to protect yourself or an injector navigating a toxic workplace, this episode is a must-listen.

In this eye-opening episode, hosts Kristin and Catherine pull back the curtain on the alarming lack of regulation in the med spa industry. Despite the medical nature of injectables like Botox and fillers, many injectors have minimal training—and worse, operate without meaningful supervision.

Key Points:

• The Medical Director Loophole:

Med spas are legally required to have a medical director (usually a physician), but in practice, many just “rent out” their license for a fee and never actually participate in or oversee patient care.

• No Standardized Training:

Unlike other medical fields, aesthetics has no mandated education pathway. Many injectors start practicing after a 1-2 day seminar. Without ongoing training or structured mentorship, their skills may remain dangerously underdeveloped.

• Shocking Real-Life Incidents:

From sales reps being asked for injection advice to blatant aseptic violations (like touching a trash can mid-procedure), the hosts share disturbing firsthand experiences highlighting how unqualified some injectors are.

• Severe Health Risks:

Improper injection techniques can cause vascular occlusion, infections, nodules, or even blindness—risks many injectors aren’t trained to recognize or manage.

• How to Protect Yourself:

• Research the medical director’s involvement

• Ask about emergency protocols

• Vet your injector’s training and experience

• Look beyond Instagram—check real reviews and patient outcomes

Welcome to the very first episode of Behind the Dirty Needle! Your hosts, Kristin and Catherine, are pulling back the curtain on the dark side of the med spa industry--exposing the shady practices, unethical providers, and the real dangers lurking behind the promise of flawless results.

In this episode, we introduce ourselves, share our backgrounds, and explain why we're taking a stand against the industry's lack of regulation and accountability. As experienced insiders, we've seen firsthand the risks patients unknowingly take when they trust the wrong provider. From unsterile practices to underqualified injectors, we're here to spill the tea and give you the tools to protect yourself.

So, what's with the dirty needles? It's more than just a metaphor--it's the reality of what's happening behind closed doors in med spas that cut corners on safety, training, and ethics.

Tune in as we kick off this journey of exposing the truth, educating consumers, and holding bad actors accountable.

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Have a med spa horror story? We want to hear it! Send us your experiences to be featured in a future episode.

This one’s going to be uncomfortable—but it’s time to say it out loud.

In this special edition of Behind the Dirty Needle, we’re pulling no punches as we talk about the elephant in the med spa—are we hiring based on skill, or looks?

In an industry obsessed with aesthetic perfection, hiring bias is real—and often unspoken. If you don’t look like the “ideal injector,” you may never get through the door, no matter how skilled or safe you are. Meanwhile, injectors who fit the mold are fast-tracked—not for their competence, but for their marketability.

We’re sharing our own experiences with being judged—or dismissed—based on appearance, and we’re calling out the toxic culture of superficial relationships that dominates many aesthetic work environments. From fake friendships to cliques built on who looks the best on the ’gram, it’s a world where image often matters more than integrity.

This isn’t just a hiring issue—it’s a culture problem. And if we’re going to build an industry that values patient safety, professional growth, and real expertise, we have to start talking about it.

This might hurt. But it’s the truth.