Don’t do it’: Warning against cheap filler and Botox-style injections
Representing a cautionary tale, Bekki Burns shared her advice with young individuals contemplating inexpensive aesthetic procedures: “Don’t do it, honestly, do not do it, it is not worth it.” Bekki found herself experiencing vascular erosion following a botched lip filler procedure she obtained at a local beauty clinic at a discounted rate. This incident led her to appeal to the health minister for the enforcement of more stringent regulations regarding the administration of filler and Botox-style injections in Northern Ireland, stressing the importance of ensuring safety and efficacy in such procedures.
Last December, a united front was presented by all political parties in Northern Ireland in support of a Sinn Féin motion advocating for tighter regulation within the aesthetics industry. Despite the apparent need for stricter oversight, the Department of Health has currently stated that there are no impending plans to mandate licensing for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the region, raising concerns among both professionals and consumers regarding the lack of sufficient safeguards.
Bekki’s regrettable encounter with a cut-price deal for lip filler ultimately resulted in long-term consequences, as six years later, the filler remains undissolved within her lips. Reflecting on her experience, she warns others to thoroughly research and consider the ramifications before undergoing similar treatments, emphasizing the importance of entrusting such procedures to properly trained and qualified individuals. Echoing her sentiments, concerns have been raised about the credentials and competency of practitioners within the aesthetics industry, underscoring the need for stringent guidelines to be put in place to safeguard the well-being of patients.
Advocating for the implementation of a “minimum level of qualification” for individuals performing injectable treatments, Tanya Khan, a trained nurse and aesthetics business owner, highlights the necessity of governmental intervention in establishing a safer environment within the industry. Plastic surgeon Chris Hoo further emphasizes the need for comprehensive training and accreditation for professionals engaging in non-surgical cosmetic procedures, stressing the significance of ensuring that only medically-trained practitioners administer such treatments to maintain the highest standards of care and safety.
Despite growing concerns regarding the lack of regulations and the potential risks associated with non-surgical cosmetic procedures, the Department of Health in Northern Ireland has affirmed that there are currently “no current plans to introduce mandatory licensing” for such treatments. As calls for legislative action intensify, individuals like Linda Dillon, who sits on the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Health, stress the importance of holding the health minister accountable for implementing the necessary reforms to address the existing gaps in oversight within the aesthetics industry
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
