In 2026, the aesthetic industry is booming, but unfortunately, so is the black market. With the rise of online shopping and “bag doctors,” the circulation of counterfeit medical products has reached an all-time high. For patients visiting Koh Samui or living in Thailand, the most critical question isn’t just “how much is it?” but rather how to check authentic filler to ensure you aren’t being injected with silicone, industrial gel, or non-sterile substances.

At LIV Clinic, we believe that transparency is the only way to combat this issue. Your safety is non-negotiable. We have written this guide to empower you with the knowledge to spot a fake, verify a box, and ensure that the product entering your skin is 100% genuine, sterile, and FDA-approved.

Why You Can Trust LIV Clinic’s Transparency

We operate with a strict “Open Box Policy.” This means we never prepare a syringe behind a curtain or in another room. At LIV Clinic, Dr. Narathai Vichienkalayarut brings the unopened, sealed box of filler into the consultation room. He breaks the seal in front of you, hands you the box to inspect, and encourages you to scan the QR code yourself.

Our medical team is trained to identify the subtle signs of counterfeit packaging that sophisticated fakers use in 2026. We source our products exclusively from the official distributors in Thailand (e.g., Allergan Thailand, Galderma Thailand), ensuring the cold chain has never been broken. When you choose us, you are choosing a clinic that has nothing to hide.

The 3-Step Verification Protocol

Before any needle touches your skin, you should perform these three checks. If a clinic refuses to let you do this, leave immediately.

1. Check the Thai FDA Sticker

In 2026, every legal medical device imported into Thailand must have a Thai FDA label. This is not just a sticker; it contains specific information in the Thai language. If the box only has English, Korean, or Chinese writing without a Thai label, it is “grey market” (illegal import) or fake. Grey market products may be real but have traveled in hot shipping containers, rendering the temperature-sensitive filler useless or dangerous.

2. Verify the Lot Number

The lot number printed on the outer box must match the lot number on the sterile blister pack inside AND the lot number on the syringe itself. Counterfeiters often reuse real boxes but put fake syringes inside.

3. Scan the Digital QR Code

Most premium brands now use app-based verification. In 2026, this is the gold standard. You can use your smartphone to scan the code, which connects directly to the manufacturer’s database to confirm the product has not been sold or scanned before.

Brand-Specific Verification: Juvederm, Restylane, and Neuramis

Different brands use different security measures. Here is how to check the specific fillers we use at LIV Clinic.

How to Check Juvederm (Allergan)

• The Sticker: Look for the hologram sticker on the side of the box.

• The Documentation: There should be a Thai language instruction leaflet inside.

• e-Submission Application: You can verify the product registration number through the Thai FDA’s “e-Submission” system or by contacting Allergan Thailand directly.

How to Check Restylane (Galderma)

• The App: Galderma uses the “EzTracker” app. You scan the QR code on the box, and the app will tell you if the product is authentic and which clinic ordered it.

• The Seal: The box should have a tamper-evident seal that changes color or reveals a pattern when peeled.

How to Check Neuramis (Medycel)

• The Hologram: Look for the “Medycel” hologram sticker.

• The QR Code: Scan the QR code which will take you to the “Naked” verification system to confirm authenticity.

The Dangers of “Fake Filler”

Using counterfeit products is not just a waste of money; it is a life-altering risk.

• Infection: Fake fillers are often made in non-sterile basements, leading to severe bacterial or fungal infections that eat away at facial tissue.

• Biofilms: Impurities can cause delayed reactions years later, forming hard, painful lumps.

• Tissue Death (Necrosis): Fake fillers are often thicker or stickier than real HA, blocking blood vessels more easily.

• Blindness: Non-standard particle sizes increase the risk of embolism.

Reference Table: Verification Methods by Brand

To make it easy for you, here is a quick reference guide to the verification tools used in Thailand for 2026.

Red Flags: When to Walk Away

Even if the box looks okay, watch out for these warning signs in the clinic environment.

• “Sharing” Syringes: A doctor offers to split a 1ml syringe between you and a friend. This is highly illegal and dangerous due to cross-contamination (HIV, Hepatitis).

• Pre-Numbing: You enter the room and the syringe is already out of the box and waiting on the tray. Always ask to see the box it came from.

• Suspiciously Low Price: In 2026, the wholesale cost of authentic filler is high. If a clinic offers a price lower than the cost of the product itself (e.g., 3,000 THB for Juvederm), it is 100% fake.

The Importance of the “Chain of Custody”

Authenticity isn’t just about the factory; it’s about the journey. Authentic filler travels in temperature-controlled trucks from the airport to the warehouse to the clinic.

• Grey Market Risk: A product might be “real” but bought cheaply from a country with different regulations. It likely sat in a hot suitcase or shipping container for weeks. Heat destroys the cross-linking of the gel, making it degrade instantly or cause inflammation. Only products with the Thai FDA label guarantee the cold chain was preserved.

Digital Verification in 2026

Technology is our best defense. We encourage all our patients to download the relevant apps (like EzTracker) before their appointment. At LIV Clinic, we will happily wait while you scan and confirm the result. We view this as a partnership in safety. Seeing the “Verified Authentic” green checkmark on your phone screen gives you peace of mind that no discount can buy.

What to Do If You Suspect You Have Fake Filler

If you had a treatment elsewhere and are noticing hard lumps, chronic redness, or migration, you may have been a victim of counterfeit products.

• Ultrasound Scan: We can use ultrasound to look at the filler density. Fake fillers often look different from real HA.

• Dissolving Test: We can inject Hyaluronidase. Real HA dissolves immediately. Fake fillers (silicone, unknown polymers) will not dissolve. If this happens, surgical removal may be necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check the lot number online?
Yes, for many brands. You can often contact the official distributor’s Line Official account in Thailand (e.g., @GaldermaThailand) and type in the lot number to verify it.

Why is filler so cheap on social media ads?
These are often “bait and switch” tactics. They advertise a premium brand but inject a cheap or fake one. Or, they are using illegal grey market imports that are unsafe.

Is it rude to ask the doctor to see the box?
Absolutely not. A reputable doctor will appreciate your diligence. At LIV Clinic, we are proud to show you our boxes because we pay for the best. If a doctor gets angry or defensive, that is a major red flag.

Does the box have to be in Thai?
Yes. In Thailand, the law requires a Thai FDA label and often a Thai instruction leaflet. If the box is entirely in English or Korean with no Thai sticker, it is not an authorized import.

What if the QR code has already been scanned?
If you scan the code and the app says “Code already scanned 5 times” or “Scan limit exceeded,” do not proceed. Counterfeiters copy a valid QR code and print it on thousands of fake boxes. A real code should typically show it is the first or second scan.

Contact Us

Your safety is our priority. If you want to verify our products or schedule a safe consultation, contact us today.

• Phone: +66 65-996-4242

• Whatsapp: (+66) 65 996 4242

• Line Official: @Livclinic

• Email: Livclinic.samui@gmail.com

• Address: 1/63 Bophut, Koh Samui, Suratthani, Thailand, 84320

• Website: https://liv.clinic/

References

1. Thai Food and Drug Administration. (2026). Check Medical Device Registration. Retrieved from https://www.fda.moph.go.th/

2. Galderma Thailand. (2026). EzTracker System for Restylane Verification. Retrieved from https://www.galdermaaesthetics.co.th/

3. Merz Aesthetics Thailand. (2026). Authenticity Check Guidelines. Retrieved from https://merzaesthetics.co.th/

4. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. (2024). Complications of Counterfeit Injectables: A Global Review. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14732165