Non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as dermal fillers and botox injections are fast becoming the latest craze to hit the growing market of cosmetic treatments, with botox parties becoming ever more popular.
Indeed botox injections are now just part of a beauty regime as a pedicure or manicure is. Fuelled by our desire to always look our best, and endorsed by so many celebrities, botox, dermal and lip fillers are part of everyday beauty life.
So many people are now willing to go to any length to achieve smoother looking skin. Buying a bottle of olay for mum at Christmas simply isn’t enough anymore!
However, with such cosmetic treatments being available from clinics to beauty salons, to the comfort of our own home, we must not forget to ask ourselves before undergoing such a procedure, what are the risks involved?
And with a severe lack of legislation and regulation in the beauty industry as a whole, are we allowing ourselves to become the victim of bad practice?
Botox is created from a neurotoxin called botulinum that paralyses the muscles that cause skin to wrinkle. Common side effects of botox consist of bruising and swelling, with such symptoms lasting only a few weeks. However, when botox goes wrong this can cause the toxin to spread to other areas of tissue causing muscle weakness, a loss of vision and even breathing difficulties.
How to avoid the risks?
With such disastrous risks it is important that botox treatments are carried our by a doctor, nurse or dermatologist that are registered under the General Medical Council or the Nursing and Midwifery Council and have received all the necessary training in order to administer such injections. It is therefore essential that you ensure the individuals are fully qualified and that you have seen their certificates of qualification.
The Independent Healthcare Advisory Service and the Treatment You Can Trust register provide helpful advice to patients wishing to have such treatments highlighting the standards that such practitioners should comply with and details of reputable practitioners who meet such standards.
Although botox is a prescribed substance, the regulations in regards to the administrating of dermal fillers are even more relaxed. Dermal fillers serve the same purpose as botox and can be used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and are most commonly used to plump up areas of the skin to make them appear fuller.
Dermal fillers can be readily bought form the internet and administered by anyone, meaning that if these are placed before an untrained individual, beauty therapist or friend who may not have the required medical knowledge or experience to avoid the risks, they can be highly dangerous in the wrong hands causing permanent facial disfigurement, allergic reactions, painful swelling of the skin and unsightly lumps.
It is therefore essential that such treatments are carried out by a regulated medical professional with all the necessary qualifications, knowledge and experience.
So like with many beauty procedures, do your homework before undergoing any treatment. If the cost is cheaper than the going rate, then ask questions. It’s likely they may be using substandard fillers/botox, or aren’t medically qualified and registered. Is it worth taking that risk not only with your appearance, but with your health?
If you have suffered as a result of a disastrous botox injection or dermal filler then get in touch with our specialist team on 01616 966 229.
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