The Bulgarian Public Prosecutor and the Bulgarian Supervisory Executive Office began an investigation after 27 women suffered injuries from illegal Botox injections in early 2025.
The research has again proven the need to boost the control of the Bulgarian cosmetics industry.
The process that uses the botulinum toxin was done without medical supervision. The Botulinum toxin, which caused the injuries, was introduced to Bulgaria from Turkey in January, according to the initial findings of the investigation.
Medical lawyers Vili Kostadinova and Maria Sharkova told Euractiv that the cases of women injured by Botulinum Toxin injections show the need for educational campaign in society.
Five cases in January
The first case was registered with Sofia in late January, after doctors from the largest emergency hospital, “Pirogov”, saved the life of a 30 -year -old Botox in a cosmetic studio on January 8th.
The young woman suffered from a serious form of medical meal, presenting symptoms such as eyelash, difficulty swallowing and muscle weakness throughout her body.
Just three days later, four more women who had injected Botox in the same cosmetic studio were accepted in Pirogov for emergency treatment.
Women had previously paid € 125 each for Botox injections. The subsequent research revealed that the woman who administered Botox had no medical training.
“The woman who performed these procedures has no medical training, is not Bulgarian origin and as far as I know the girls, she told them she is not in Bulgaria today, she just changed Instagram profile to a different name with a new photo.
Police announced that the Russian citizen Arina Osipova had executed the illegal proceedings. She introduced herself as a dermatologist Dr. Goodz despite the fact that she had no medical training.
Poorly prepared hospitals
According to the Association of Aesthetic Medicine patients, the scandal is expected to increase as more injured women will turn to police and prosecutor’s office.
Bulgarian hospitals have also proved inadequately prepared to respond.
Pirogov had no serum against Botulinum and had to turn to the Military Medical Academy, the largest military hospital in the country for the necessary bid.
Medical volatility is a rare but potentially life -threatening condition resulting from the use of Botulinum neurotoxin. The evolution of paranoid changes can also lead to respiratory muscles and even respiratory failure, demanding the need for pulmonary ventilation.
Need to regulate
Sharkova noted that in 2023, various cases of medical postwar were linked to procedures carried out in Turkish hospitals, which attract patients offering lower prices than Bulgarian.
In April 2023, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control of Disease warned of an EU algae event due to treatment patients in hospitals in Izmir and Constantinople, Turkey.
The cases were reported in Germany (30), Austria (1), France (1), Switzerland (2) and Turkey (53). At that time, the organization warned EU citizens to avoid the treatment with botulinum toxin in Turkey.
“In my practice, I have consulted specialists in the field of skin diseases that provide aesthetic services and with them we have repeatedly proposed changes to the arrangement, including adopting a new medical standard for skin diseases, which would introduce clear and precise rules, and they will distinguish themselves.”
Reluctant to investigate
He added that he has often reported to the Bulgarian health authorities the illegal provision of medical services by aesthetics outside the hospitals, but the state has shown no willingness to investigate.
“The application of Botulinum toxin is medical activity and [should] Do not be performed by sensory, hairdressers and manicure, with all respect for their profession. Botulinum toxin is a medicinal product and, in addition to aesthetic processes, is used for a number of diseases, “commented Vili Kostadinova.
Sharkova added that there is a weak control of the use of botulinum toxin by various people, especially those without medical training. He explained that Botulinum toxin is a medicinal product prescribed by a doctor and must be registered in the country.
Unfortunately, in many places, it is imported from countries outside the EU through unknown channels and the origin of the product is detectable. It is still possible that what is described on the label, such as quantity, product concentration, does not correspond to the actual product, Sharkova explained to Euractiv.
In recent years, Bulgaria has become an increasingly popular destination for health tourism. During the Christmas and New Year period, many foreigners from European countries visit Bulgarian cosmetics studios, attracted to the lowest prices.
[Edited by Vasiliki Angouridi, Brian Maguire]
