Autumn 2019Safety in aesthetics

It is undeniable that, in recent years, the demand for aesthetic procedures has dramatically increased. Whilst previously, the general public may have only been aware of Botox®️ and little else when it comes to non-surgical procedures, this is rapidly changing.

As well as Botox®️, or other anti-wrinkle treatments, many now know not just of the procedures available, but of the multitude of benefits they can have in the skin. Even treatments that were previously considered outlandish are now a regular staple of clinics across the country, including fillers, PRP, chemical peels, and medical-grade skincare.

Whilst this has often been attributed to the rise in celebrity culture and social media, this boom in aesthetics is linked to a fall in the number of people seeking surgical correction, offering a non-invasive, safer alternative with far less downtime, and an improvement in the accessibility of such treatments.

However, there is a marked downside to the rise in prominence of such treatments. Shockingly, there is little regulation in the aesthetics industry. This has led to many under-qualified and inexperienced practitioners cropping up in salons and high streets across the country.

Whilst this has undeniably lowered the cost and improved how accessible aesthetics treatments are to the majority of people, it opens up the potential for unsafe procedures that negatively impact both health and appearance.

Prospective patients should always take the utmost care when selecting where to go for their aesthetics treatments. Unfortunately, there are far too many unscrupulous practitioners out there, and it can be difficult to know what to look for in order to make the best possible choice.

With this said, there are also several signifiers that patients are in the best possible hands that are simple to find and easy to understand. For example, any practitioner you visit should be a healthcare registered professional and also be registered with the Care Quality Commision, or CQC, for medical or surgical treatments, such as PDO thread lifts. The qualifications of their practitioners should be clearly displayed, allowing patients to be totally at ease with their decision. It may also be helpful to look at patient testimonials and reviews on social media in order to gain a full insight into how other patients found their experience.

Whilst practitioners with less experience may be happy to perform whatever treatments you ask for, it is the sign of a highly competent, skilled aesthetics professional to decline your requests if they feel them inappropriate or not in your best interests.

In most reputable clinics, a thorough consultation is required to assess your concerns, allowing professionals to recommend and carry out the most suitable treatments for your skin.

This often differs from what patients think they may need, and as such, it is important to bear in mind that searching for the exact treatment you may wish to undergo may not be the best strategy, but rather the concern or condition you are looking to correct. Make sure that you do thorough research into your clinic and practitioner; a well-qualified practitioner should make you feel comfortable and at ease. They should help you to fully understand the risks and possible side effects associated with your treatment, and you should leave your initial consultation feeling educated and fully informed, and with enough of the facts to make a decision as to whether to proceed with your treatment.

If you are having treatments such as Botox®️ or Hyalase to dissolve dermal fillers, a consultation with a doctor, dentist or nurse prescriber is always required by law to assess suitability for treatment and to order the Prescription only Medicine (POM) in your name. A second appointment would then have to be booked for treatment.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Deborah Vines is a Registered General Nurse, Independent Nurse Prescriber and the Medical Director of The Menopause Clinic based in Heywood. She has been involved with Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy for eight years and owns one of the longest established Medical Aesthetics Clinics in the North West.