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Aesthetics: The Harms and Risks
Words Dr Emma Amoafo-Mensah
Botox, thread lifts, lip fillers, fat removal… There are so many ways a person can change their appearance on the high street now. The non-surgical cosmetic industry is booming, and will be worth a predicted £3.6 billion by the end of 2021. However, the lack of regulation within the aesthetic industry is a cause for concern. Dr Emma Amoafo-Mensah explains why.
We’ve seen a massive boom in the use of injectable facial aesthetic treatments in the past few years. I remember Botox only ever being mentioned in sitcoms as something for vain, ageing women but this is far from the case now; many men and women in their 20s are augmenting their appearance with injectables. Social media has undoubtedly played a significant role in increasing not only the acceptability of such procedures, but also their availability. Many of us would’ve had an advert for various aesthetic procedures pop up on our Instagram, facebook or twitter feeds; often offering a cheap rate or unmissable deal.
At present, the aesthetic industry is largely unregulated, meaning that practitioners who offer non-surgical cosmetic treatments do not have specific legal requirements to practice set by the government. In simple terms, this means that practitioners can inject botox, fillers and perform other aesthetic treatments without the government (or anyone else) specifying a minimum level of qualification or experience. Furthermore, there are little restrictions on who can offer courses to teach these procedures.
There are numerous companies offering courses in injectables, which are mostly meant to target people with relevant experience in giving injections, such as doctors, dentists and nurses. Research has revealed, however, that many of these courses will allow someone to book a place onto a course without any relevant experience, and some of these courses are as short as two days. Following that, those who complete the course are free to market themselves as aesthetic practitioners and start giving treatments.
Of course, this is good for individual practitioners, as people can attend a training course and then begin practicing shortly after, without falling victim to government bureaucracy and red tape that could slow them down. However, by now, I’m sure that alarm bells are ringing for many of you – how do we know that the people injecting us are qualified to do so?
It only takes minutes to administer a dermal filler or botox injection, and the results are temporary (fillers last 6-18 months and botox 3-4 months), so many are under the impression that they are risk-free procedures. However, this is far from the case. Risks of these procedures include infection, scarring, blocked blood vessels causing death of the skin and lumpy areas if fillers are injected in the wrong place. Vision can also be affected if complications occur near the eyes. It’s important that the person giving these treatments is experienced, and knows how to manage complications should they occur.
So how can you protect yourself if you decide to have an aesthetic procedure?
Be nosey. When choosing a practitioner, check out their qualifications, how they were trained, and how much experience they have. If it’s not clearly stated on their website or in their place of practice, ask!
Do your research. Know what cosmetic procedure you want and how it is usually done. Also ask about the products that will be used, where they are sourced and if they are licensed for use in the UK.
Safety first. Ensure your practitioner has insurance, and ask about the risks of the procedure and any common or serious side effects. Specifically ask if the practitioner is qualified to deal with these complications. If not, this should be a red flag.
Know what’s next. Make sure you are given comprehensive aftercare advice, you know what to expect over the next few weeks, and you know who to contact should something go wrong.