Media release: Scotland’s regulator of private clinics issues warning about the dangers of Botox parties
Healthcare Improvement Scotland has today warned the public of the dangers of so-called Botox parties, organised with unregulated providers such as beauticians, where important decisions regarding health and wellbeing can be seriously impaired by consumption of alcohol.
The regulator of independent healthcare in Scotland is also advising that cosmetic treatments such as Botox, dermal fillers and slimming jabs should only be provided by healthcare professionals who are regulated.
All private clinics, hospitals and hospices, where services are provided by healthcare professionals, are legally required to be registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
Speaking of recent media stories related to unregulated providers of cosmetic treatments, Eddie Docherty, Director of Quality Assurance and Regulation at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said:
“Having a cosmetic treatment is a serious undertaking that should only be entered into with due consideration of the very real risks to an individual’s health and safety. Bringing together the injecting of Botox, alcohol and a party atmosphere reduces people’s judgement, and their ability to properly provide consent and consider the real risks. No clinic regulated by us, and run by a healthcare professional, would be permitted to run Botox parties as an appropriate environment to provide such a treatment.
“We would urge anyone looking to get cosmetic interventions to think about their health and wellbeing, and put their care into the hands of professionals with years of appropriate training and experience behind them, and where they can trust them to make their wellbeing a priority.
“In addition, if you are receiving Botox from a beautician, then it may be a product that has been imported from overseas and not authorised for use in the UK. Only a trained and experienced healthcare professional should administer Botox, acquired through a registered pharmacist, as they can access it legally, understand the physiology of the face in order to administer it correctly, and have ready access to effective medicines if something goes wrong.”
Director of Quality Assurance and Regulation, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
He added:
“People should always check that a clinic is registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland before undertaking treatments.”
Director of Quality Assurance and Regulation, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
There are over 500 registered and regulated clinics across Scotland, the vast majority providing cosmetic procedures.
To access, Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s register of regulated private clinics, visit our website: Find an independent healthcare provider or service – Healthcare Improvement Scotland
Currently there are no regulatory requirements for non-healthcare professionals providing cosmetic treatments. Scottish Government has just concluded a consultation on how this part of the industry should be regulated. Find out more by visiting the Scottish Government website: Regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures – Scottish Government consultations – Citizen Space
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Notes to editor
Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s statutory role is to help improve the quality of health and care, provide information to the public about the quality of health and care services, monitor public involvement, and to evaluate and provide advice on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of medicines and health technologies.
Huffington Post media story: Botox Parties In The UK Are On The Rise – But Is It Time To Call It A Night? | HuffPost UK Life
Dazed media story: Inside the invite-only world of Botox parties and at-home injectables | Dazed
New York Post: Fake botox is making people sick — here’s how you can stay safe
Botox is the brand name for botulinum neurotoxin.