COSMETIC cowboys who are flooding Scotland’s streets with dodgy fillers and bad Botox are facing a ban.
In recent months there have been a raft of horror stories about botched treatments and poorly trained practitioners ghosting clients after procedures have gone wrong.
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And Scotland was branded the worst place in Europe for dodgy lip fillers and Botox.
But now the Scottish Government has revealed new proposals to crack down on risky cosmetic surgery procedures.
It aims to stop botched procedures and shut down backstreet surgeries that have left a number of patients with life changing injuries.
As the sector is not currently fully regulated, anybody can carry out the procedures without formal training.
However, under the proposed legislation, fillers and the use of Botox will have to be supervised by a qualified healthcare professional.
While, “breast and buttock augmentations” must be carried out by a qualified professional.
Microneedling and cosmetic laser treatments will require both a premises licence and individual practitioner licences issued by local authorities.
Medical professionals have welcomed the move but have also warned that the new rules might still allow unqualified people to carry out less dangerous procedures.
Dr Ben Taylor-Davies, who runs the Stockbridge Clinic in Edinburgh, told the Daily Record: “Whilst I firmly believe injectable treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers should only ever be carried out by a registered medical professional, the Scottish Government’s proposals are a big step in the right direction for patient safety in Scotland.
“For too long the public has been at unacceptable levels of risk. People have come to significant harm due to the lack of regulation.
“Now we need to make sure this is implemented across Scotland and that the necessary legal powers exist to protect the public from unnecessary harm.
“Hopefully this is just the start of a wider theme of tighter regulation that will ultimately protect public safety.”
The Scottish Government proposals also intends to introduce a minimum age of 18 for all procedures.
The changes will bring Scotland into line with England – where the UK Government made it an offence for an unregulated person to give Botox or filler to under-18s in 2021.
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “It is deeply upsetting to hear of cases where people have suffered as a result of non-surgical cosmetic procedures going wrong.
“The current gaps in regulation mean that anyone can perform most of these procedures without the need for any formal training or qualifications.
Steps before treatment
THE T.I.M.E initiative, a consumer safety scheme supported by MPs, influential bodies and key industry figures, to ensure consumers get the best possible experience and better protect themselves.
Their checklist for customers to ask practioners aims to help people know what to be aware of when booking in for treatments:
TRAINING – What qualifications and training, including continual professional development (CPD) do you and all your staff have?
INSURANCE – Are you insured and, if so, who by?
MONITORING – Do you carry out important pre and post appointment processes such as patch tests, consultations and aftercare?
EVIDENCE – Is there certified proof of training, insurance and any client testimonials?
“These proposals reflect our determination to protect the public and ensure high standards across this growing industry.
“I am particularly heartened by the broad support for action to make the sector safer, and we will continue to work closely with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, local authorities, and the wider industry to support a smooth and effective implementation.”
Last year Kathryn Tumulcha, from Dalkeith, spoke out after a Botox jab left her looking like she’d had a stroke after going to a ‘cheap practitioner’.
While, Renata Wojno, from East Kilbride, blamed herself after being left with lumps on her face from a cosmetic injectable after finding a woman on Facebook who did the jabs from her home.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Katie Price’s beautician was banned from operating in Glasgow after a woman’s Brazilian bum lift procedure resulted in a 999 dash.
The company carried out the BBL in a hotel function room at a Holiday Inn in the city centre in March, which left the 49-year-old in agony.
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