Watch out for Botox? In the UK, complaints about non-invasive beauty treatments are at an all-time high

Since 2020, the number of complaints about cosmetic procedures like Botox has increased by 26%. In addition, 2,824 complaints were filed against unlicensed specialists in the previous year. 

Approximately 900,000 Britons get Botox injections annually, where a compound called botulinum toxin is injected into areas of the face like the forehead and around the eyes and mouth to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Wrinkles are reduced as a result of this procedure because muscle contractions under the skin are prevented by blocking the nerve signals that trigger them.

Unfortunately, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of complaints about non-invasive cosmetic procedures like Botox.

2,824 complaints were submitted last year to a national registry of doctors and clinics.

The amount, which accounts for treatment complications, is 25% more than in 2020.

Until a new licensing regime is implemented for the industry, there is cause for concern about the lack of public protection, as evidenced by the recent uptick in complaints.    

MPs are pushing for a quicker rollout of the policy. 

There are currently no requisite credentials for working in the aesthetics field in the United Kingdom. That means any interested party can take a training course and practice dermal filler treatments on their clients. 

But the Department of Health and Social Care turned down requests to hasten the regime in February, raising concerns that it could take up to three years to implement the regulation.

Despite a significant rise in complaints to a UK government-approved register for medical aesthetic treatments, from 2,436 in 2021 to only 2,083 in 2020, this remains the case. 

As of the year 2022, 69% of all complaints involved derma-fillers, which can set you back somewhere around £200. 

In this method, a substance (typically hyaluronic acid) is injected into the face to smooth out wrinkles and enhance facial features like the lips and cheeks. 

Its popularity has skyrocketed in recent years as more and more women try to emulate the likes of Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian, raising alarm bells among experts who fear that British citizens will become victims of a cosmetic and aesthetic industry that is largely unregulated.

One woman who sought out anti-wrinkle injections has been linked to serious complications after allegedly receiving an unapproved product. 

Half of her face was surgically removed because she was plagued by infections that were eating away at her tissue and nerves. 

It could be life-threatening if it isn’t properly regulated if people aren’t given the right training, and if qualified individuals aren’t properly accredited and licensed.

With so much work to be done, the MP’s demands that the regime is in place by July were deemed unreasonable. 

Two extremely busy years were always going to be required to get it ready, so 2025 was always going to be the year of its introduction. 

However, safeguards could be implemented, and the government was urged to launch an appropriate awareness campaign for anyone considering receiving these treatments.

Professionals may be required to carry malpractice insurance as another safeguard against having to shell out hundreds of pounds to fix a problem that is not their fault.

In addition to the annual complaints, there are dozens of cases heard each year of people who have not had the legally mandated in-person consultation prior to receiving botulinum toxin injections. 

A representative from the UK Department of Health and Social Care has stated that, after a number of fruitful meetings with interested parties, the department plans to hold its first consultation this summer regarding the procedures that will fall under the licensing scheme.

It was discovered that aesthetics clinics in the UK were running unlicensed cosmetics lotteries in which patients could win Botox injections.

It was discovered that a dozen different clinics were holding online raffles, with tickets starting at just £5 and offering the chance to win treatment packages worth up to £650. 

Critics charged that those organizing the raffles were using “dangerous tactics” to encourage Britons to undergo such treatments, some of which required a prescription. 

They expressed concern that making the procedures available as prizes could normalize them despite the risks.

And new studies have found that Botox may make it harder to understand the emotions of those around you.

In a study where participants viewed images of happy and sad faces, those who had received the anti-aging injections showed abnormal brain activity in regions associated with emotion.

Dentox helps medical professionals learn how to inject Botox correctly and effectively. You can register for a seminar at one of the many venues we have spread out across the country, or you can take one of our courses live online or on demand. Please visit https://dentox.com/live-courses/ and https://all-courses.dentox.com/botox-training/ for additional information about our live and online courses, respectively.