When a product is injected into your face or body, you deserve to know exactly what it is. At our clinic in Toronto's Bloor West Village, the products used in treatment are Health Canada–approved, and we list our brands by name. This page explains what that approval means, which brands we use for each treatment and how to look up a product in Health Canada's databases.
What “Health Canada–approved” means
“Health Canada–approved” is a common shorthand for products that Health Canada has authorized for sale. For injectable treatments, two categories matter most:
- Prescription drugs, such as botulinum toxins, carry an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN) and are listed in Health Canada's Drug Product Database.
- Medical devices, such as dermal fillers, are licensed by Health Canada and listed in the Medical Devices Active Licence Listing (MDALL).
Both databases are public, and anyone can search them by product or company name. Everyday skincare is regulated differently: most cleansers and moisturizers are sold as cosmetics, so you generally won't find them in either database.
Keep in mind that approval doesn't mean a product suits everyone or has no side effects. Whether a product is right for you is decided at your assessment.
The brands we use, by treatment
These are the brands the clinic lists for each treatment. Each brand name links to its official website, where you can read the brand's own product information.
Botulinum toxin
The botulinum toxin products the clinic uses are Botox®, Dysport® and Nuceiva®. All three are prescription drugs. You can read what the treatment involves on our botulinum toxin page.
Hyaluronic acid fillers
For dermal filler treatments, the clinic uses Juvéderm® and Revanesse®, which is made in Canada. Hyaluronic acid is a substance your skin already makes, and hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with an enzyme if needed.
Collagen biostimulator
For Sculptra® biostimulation, the clinic uses Sculptra®, a poly-L-lactic acid collagen biostimulator. Rather than filling, it prompts your skin to build its own collagen over time.
Skin rejuvenation
Skin rejuvenation plans may include Omnilux™ LED light therapy and AlumierMD medical-grade skincare, chosen after a skin assessment.
Home care between visits
What you do at home matters too. Our Products page lists the home-care brands the clinic offers:
- AlumierMD medical-grade skincare, recommended for your skin type after a skin assessment
- EltaMD® sun protection, since daily sunscreen is one of the simplest ways to protect your skin
- E11ement professional skincare
- Latisse®, a prescription product that requires a medical assessment first
Ask about availability at your next visit, and about which products suit your skin.
How a product is chosen for you
You don't need to arrive knowing which product you want. The choice is made after your consultation and assessment with Sophie Gatward, NP, based on the area being treated, your goals and your health history.
Different products are made for different jobs. Fillers, for example, come in a range of formulations, and the one that suits your lips may not be the one used for your cheeks or jawline. Sophie will explain what she recommends and why.
No brand is the right choice for everyone. What matters is the right product for the area and your goals, as part of a personalized treatment plan aimed at natural-looking results.
Questions to ask about any product
Wherever you have treatment, it's reasonable to ask about the products involved. Helpful questions include:
- Which product will be used, and who makes it?
- Is it approved for sale in Canada?
- Is it a drug or a medical device, and how can I look it up in Health Canada's databases?
- What side effects are possible, and what aftercare will I need?
- Who will perform the treatment, and what are their qualifications?
You're welcome to ask any of these at your consultation, since clear answers are part of informed consent. At our clinic, every treatment is performed by a Nurse Practitioner, and in Ontario you can check any nurse's registration on the College of Nurses of Ontario public register. Learn more about care led by a Nurse Practitioner.
Book a consultation
Next step: If you'd like to know which products would suit you, book a consultation with Sophie Gatward, NP. She'll explain her recommendation, and the product behind it, before any treatment begins.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check that a product is approved in Canada?
Search the product or company name in Health Canada's Drug Product Database for drugs such as botulinum toxins, or in the Medical Devices Active Licence Listing for devices such as dermal fillers. For a drug, you can also search the DIN printed on its label.
Which botulinum toxin brand will I get?
That's decided at your consultation. Sophie will explain which product she recommends for you and why, based on your assessment. If you've had botulinum toxin before, tell her which product it was, if you remember.
Can I buy your skincare products at the clinic?
Ask about availability at your next visit. Our Products page lists the home-care brands the clinic offers, and products are recommended for your skin after an assessment.
Why do you use more than one filler brand?
Fillers come in different formulations, and different formulations suit different areas of the face. Having more than one option lets Sophie choose a product for the area being treated and the result you're after.
General information, not medical advice. Every treatment at Bloor West Medspa starts with a consultation and medical assessment with Sophie Gatward, NP, to confirm what is right for you. Individual results vary.