When I meet a patient for the first time one of the questions I ask is “have you had any previous aesthetic treatments?” for people that reply yes, I follow up with “what products were used?”. The most common answer I receive is “I don’t know”.
I find this very concerning! It is important that patients know what products are being used for their treatment and how they are obtained.
In recent years it has been reported that there is an increase in harmful complications from aesthetic treatments being given to patients using unlicensed products. The Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) has stated that the use of an unlicensed medication without a valid prescription is an offence.
Unfortunately, as for so many things there is a black market that allows certain practitioners (or suppliers) to purchase counterfeit products and use these for treatments on unsuspecting clients. There is no way to know exactly what these products contain and can cause serious complications to people that they are used on.
Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine that should be prescribed by a healthcare professional in a face-to-face consultation with the patient.
The short video below of a Times investigation shows examples of this worrying practice with non-medical practitioners that I think you will agree is quite shocking!
All products used for treatments with us are obtained from a regulated pharmacy making them regulated and safe. All treatments requiring a prescription are prescribed by myself if deemed appropriate after a face to face consultation. Therefore, you can be assured that all products that we use are legal and safe.
Make sure you ask your practitioner what products are being used and where they are obtained from to keep yourself safe.
