EXPERTS WELCOME REGISTER TO PUT AN END TO BAD BOTOX® PRACTICE
A leading aesthetic clinic has welcomed a government-backed register for providers of BOTOX®, dermal fillers and other injectable cosmetic treatments.
Dr Andrew Greenwood, of the exclusive Cawston Manor clinic in Rugby, believes the Independent Healthcare Advisory Services’ voluntary register will go some way to ending dubious cosmetic procedures being carried out by unqualified practitioners.
With no Botox ‘police’ to regulate the industry qualified professionals have joined forces, under the Independent Healthcare Advisory Services, to self-regulate, and in turn drive out those who are unqualified.
The move follows a steep surge in the popularity of such cosmetic treatments. Last year more than a million people in the UK underwent Botox, dermal fillers or similar treatments.
The IHAS register gives details of fully-qualified aesthetics professionals who have been visited at random by medical experts, and whose clinical experience, practice and procedures meet their quality assurance standards.
Practitioners who sign up to the register must agree to a face-to-face consultation with prospective clients before any treatment takes place. Treatments must be provided in a clean, safe, clinical environment within registered premises which may be inspected randomly by an outside agency. Injections must be given by fully-qualified professionals. Only doctors, dentists and nurses are eligible.
Dr Greenwood said: “There has been a tremendous boom in the demand for Botox treatments and dermal fillers and there are horrific stories of treatments being given by all kinds of people and in all kinds of places. Botox ‘parties’, for one, are popular.
“But when such procedures go wrong the effects are devastating – extremely costly both financially and emotionally. And unfortunately there are many Botox bandits out there operating with flagrant disregard for client safety. In the right hands injectable procedures are extremely safe and effective and poses no health or cosmetic risk. In the wrong hands it can be extremely dangerous.
“Through this new register any doctor or nurse found operating outside of the guidelines now faces disciplinary action.”
Botox, which is derived from a the botulism germ in much the same way that penicillin is derived from mould and contrary to myth is very safe. It works by relaxing facial muscles for between four and six months, softening the appearance of wrinkles, is a very safe drug when administered correctly and professionally. In less experienced hands it can cause problems.
Achieving that sought-after subtle, refreshed look is as much an art as a cosmetic application. Over-arched or drooping eyebrows, sagging lids, fixed, startled expressions or frozen, expressionless faces have all been reported as a consequence of badly administered Botox.
Dr Greenwood said: “The most important piece of advice to anyone considering Botox is to ensure their chosen establishment is listed. Visit the establishment, inspect it, meet with the consultant who will be carrying out the procedure and ask lots of questions. Do not undergo any treatment until you are 100 per cent satisfied there is no risk.
“Here at Cawston Manor all injectable treatments are administered by a qualified practitioner after a thorough consultation. This way every single one of our patients can be assured all best practice procedures are being observed at all times.”
