‘Ban nonmedics from giving Botox’

Posted 29/01/2013

The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) wants only trained doctors, nurses and dentists to provide non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers.
Currently people such as beauticians, with no medical training, can administer anti-wrinkle Botox injections and insert dermal fillers. Botox is an injection of a toxin which, at small doses, relaxes facial muscles to make wrinkles and lines less obvious. Dermal fillers are injected to plump up the skin and flatten wrinkles.

The RCS wants to put an end to “Botox parties” and rogue traders. It makes several recommendations, including a proviso that anyone planning to have a cosmetic procedure should have a thorough psychological assessment beforehand. It recommends that only those who have medically recognised qualifications and training should carry out cosmetic procedures, such as breast surgery, liposuction and Botox treatment, and in a registered clinic with resuscitation equipment on hand in the event of an emergency. Practitioners also have a duty to manage a patient’s expectations, the RCS says.

The Government is currently carrying out a review into regulation of cosmetic interventions, including cosmetic surgery, which is due to be published in March.

Sophie Bales, a clinical negligence solicitor at Ashtons Legal, comments: “It is alarming that practitioners who have no medical training can give Botox injections and insert dermal fillers. The RCS study found that when deciding where to have their cosmetic treatment done, the majority of patients are more influenced by the price of the treatment than whether their practitioner has appropriate medical qualifications and training.

Although non-surgical, Botox and dermal fillers have risks and can have devastating effects if not performed correctly. Therefore, it is vital that the practitioner giving Botox injections and inserting dermal fillers has the requisite qualifications and training to enable them to perform the treatment correctly, manage complications which may arise and give the appropriate aftercare. As highlighted by the RCS, patients are also often not assessed properly prior to the treatment or given enough information regarding the risks and what they can expect from successful treatment. Hopefully, the Government review will provide stricter regulation for this sector in accordance with RCS recommendations.

If you are considering any cosmetic treatment it is important that you seek comprehensive advice from a medical professional who has experience performing cosmetic procedures.”