Campaigners have warned that under-18s from England are going to Wales for Botox treatments because there are no laws preventing them. Save Face, a UK register of qualified practitioners, has reported under-18s travelling to Wales to get around English law. A lack of legislation in Wales means that 17-year-olds can get Botox and lip-filler appointments, if they can find a clinician willing to treat them. Ruby David from Bridgend, who is 18, said she wanted lip fillers but recognised the need for a law to protect young people from making mistakes.
Ashton Collins, director of Save Face, said that while cosmetic treatments were becoming more popular, there was a “crisis waiting to happen with young people”. She believes that an age limit would reduce the likelihood of young people having to deal with complications caused by the procedures. Campaigners have received calls from parents reporting young people who have crossed the border from England for treatment. However, *none of the clinics contacted by BBC Wales Live insisted on checking the age of a potential client before booking the appointment*.
The Welsh government said it was aware of the regulatory gap with England and would undertake further work in this area. Save Face worked with MP Laura Trott to bring in the law in England. It is hoped that Wales will follow suit. The Welsh government said that Botox was a prescription-only medicine and that the qualified prescriber had a responsibility to ensure that the product is given safely. A spokesperson added that they are aware of the regulatory gap in Wales in relation to these types of procedures and will do further work in this area
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