Following years of increased demand and rocketing popularity, non-surgical cosmetic treatments like fillers are still largely unregulated, posing a threat the public health and threatening the industry's reputation. It's an issue that can affect anyone, even those who seemingly can afford to go to the best professionals at the most sought-after clinics.
Alongside the increase in treatments, tales of botch-jobs and painful correctional procedures have also become increasingly common – and it seems people have had enough. According to a landmark YouGov survey published today, 3 in 4 people want the government to do more to safeguard patients from unnecessary procedures. However, this finding is combined with an unceasing desire for such procedures, with over 50% of UK adults wishing they could change their appearance, and 21% have had or would consider having cosmetic surgery or a non-surgical procedure to improve their appearance or mental health, making urgent reform even more crucial.
“Much more needs to be done by doctors to safeguard patients from unnecessary procedures”, says London cosmetic surgeon Dr. Julian De Silva. “This research shows the negative impact that social media can have on people’s perceptions of their looks, with many pursuing procedures that will not benefit their looks or mental wellbeing.”
Dr. De Silva is among a throng of medical professionals and beauty experts who have been calling for stricter regulations on cosmetic treatments for years and change has begun to happen, albeit slowly. Earlier this year, adverts for cosmetic surgeries were banned from targeting under-18s in the UK, which follows the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruling in February banning influencers from using ‘misleading’ filters on beauty adverts, and proposals were presented to parliament to make dermal fillers a prescription only medicine, only able to be administered by a trained medical professional (currently, practitioners do not require any mandatory qualifications to administer dermal fillers).
The clamp down follows a historic report published last summer by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Beauty, Aesthetics and Wellbeing (the APPG), which included findings from a year-long inquiry into practitioner standards and qualifications, licensing, ethics and mental health considerations as well as the implications of advertising on social media. It concluded that "maintaining the status quo is not an option" and the current situation "not only puts the general public at risk, but undermines the ability for responsible practitioners and operators in this ever-expanding industry to develop."
Calling for urgent reform, the APPG laid out 17 recommendations to help the government shape new regulations. Some of the suggestions include setting national minimum standards for practitioner training, extending the ban on under-18s receiving treatments, advertising restrictions on fillers and other invasive treatments and making fillers prescription only (unlike Botox, fillers currently do not classify as a medical product and therefore can be administered by anyone).
Co-Chairs of the APPG, Carolyn Harris MP and Judith Cummins MP, said in a statement, "For too long there have been next to no limits on who can carry out aesthetic treatments, what qualifications they must have, or where they can administer them. We were also particularly concerned about the advertising and social media promotion of these treatments and how to make sure vulnerable people, such as children and those at risk from mental ill-health, are protected. We strongly urge the Government to implement the recommendations in our report and to take action to improve to improve the situation for the benefit of the industry and public safety."
Minister for Patient Safety, Nadine Dorries added, "Far too many people have been left to live with the emotional and physical scars caused by their experience of cosmetic surgery. Anyone considering Botox, or fillers, should pause and take the time they need to consider the potential impact of surgery on both their physical and mental health."
Suggestions have already been made for ensuring practitioners are adequately trained to administer treatments. Dr Tristan Mehta founder of Harley Academy and STORY is advocating for all practitioners to take a Diploma in Botox and Dermal Fillers in association with the The Joint Council For Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP). "Being Level 7 qualified shows you have been trained to be a safe and ethical injector – that you have received Master’s level training from experts in the field," he says. "It shows you have studied not just injecting techniques but also anatomy, facial ageing, skin ageing, preventing and managing complications."
