A beauty treatment expert has raised serious concerns about the lack of regulation in the UK’s booming £3 billion aesthetics industry. A survey by Save Face, a national register of accredited practitioners, revealed that 83% of complications from non-surgical procedures were caused by unlicensed operators. Vanessa Brown, head of sales and marketing for Erchonia, a US-based health laser company, warned that these unqualified practitioners are putting their clients’ lives at risk.
Brown emphasized the urgent need for government intervention before the situation escalates. She likened the current scenario to the Wild West, with cheap products, including counterfeit weight-loss medications and technologies, being sold online to unsuspecting consumers. She urged the UK to align its laws with the stricter regulations already in place in Europe and the US.
The NHS reported treating over a thousand patients in 2021 for complications stemming from botched cosmetic procedures, costing the healthcare system millions of pounds. In contrast, European countries like Germany and France, which have implemented stricter regulations, have seen a 30% reduction in adverse incidents related to non-surgical cosmetic treatments, according to the European Society of Aesthetic Surgery.
Brown highlighted the alarming contrast between licensed and unlicensed practitioners, who often perform the same procedures with vastly different levels of safety precautions. She pointed out the concerning trend of individuals, both medical professionals and non-medical individuals, undertaking a single-day training course and then immediately starting to practice, treating it as a side business for extra income. Brown stressed that this minimal training is insufficient to handle the complex procedures and potential risks involved.
While doctors, dentists, and nurses undergo years of rigorous training to work on human bodies, many individuals in the beauty industry administer injections and other aesthetic treatments without prior training or certification. These individuals often charge clients thousands of pounds, putting their health at risk.
Brown criticized the Care Quality Commission for regulating only certain aspects of the UK aesthetics industry, specifically surgical procedures, while neglecting to regulate ‘non-invasive’ treatments like minor injectables, needling, and chemical peels. She highlighted the risks associated with migrating lip fillers, where the lips naturally expand, and the skin may not return to its original state, requiring further filler injections or even cosmetic surgery to reduce the skin to its normal size.
Brown also expressed concern about the potential for unqualified practitioners to misinterpret a procedure gone wrong, lacking the necessary knowledge and medication to address complications. She emphasized the importance of regulated clinics having emergency drugs readily available to manage potential emergencies.
In conclusion, the growing prevalence of unlicensed beauty practitioners in the UK poses a significant risk to public health. The government must prioritize the implementation of stricter regulations to ensure the safety of consumers and protect them from potentially devastating consequences.
