In line with an evaluation of the UK’s cosmetic injectables industry by UCL researchers, 68% of cosmetic practitioners who’re administering injections reminiscent of Botox usually are not qualified medical doctors.
The study, published within the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, is the primary survey of who’s providing cosmetic injectable services, reminiscent of Botulinum Toxin (Botox) and Dermal Fillers, within the UK. Currently, little is thought in regards to the background qualifications, training and experience levels of those that are administering treatments.
To fill this data gap, researchers from UCL evaluated 3,000 web sites to discover 1,224 independent clinics and three,667 practitioners who were delivering cosmetic injections reminiscent of Botox.
Of the professions represented, 32% were doctors, 13% were nurses, 24% were dentists and eight% were dental nurses. Of the 1,163 doctors identified, 41% were on the specialist register and 19% were on the GP register. Among the many 27 specialties represented on the specialist register, Plastic Surgery was the most important group (37%) followed by Dermatology (18%).
The UK injectables market is predicted to succeed in a worth of £11.7 billion by 2026, but so far is effectively unregulated. The UK government is preparing to update policy around injectables, with a public consultation on the industry attributable to begin in August 2023. Recommendations are expected to tell amendments to the Medical Act in 2024.
There are well-documented, yet so far unaddressed challenges within the UK cosmetic injectables market. Without knowledge of the skilled backgrounds of practitioners, we cannot adequately regulate the industry. Our research highlights that nearly all of practitioners usually are not doctors and include other healthcare professionals, in addition to non-healthcare professionals reminiscent of beauticians.
The range of backgrounds opens a broader query referring to competence and consent. One in all the important thing challenges facing the federal government’s licensing scheme is to be certain that practitioners granted a license possess the talents and experience required to securely administer their treatment to reduce risks to patients.
It will be important for patients to give you the chance to feel comfortable and assured that the person administering their treatment is competent within the procedure as a fundamental foundation of informed consent. This research provides a singular insight into the sector to assist inform regulators and patients, and work towards a safer and more transparent cosmetic injectables industry within the UK.”
Dr David Zargaran, Study Writer, UCL Plastic Surgery
In addition to the skilled background of those providing cosmetic injections, until recently there was little research on the incidence of complications and the impact that these have upon patients. A second study from the identical authors, published on 3 July 2023, found that 69% of respondents to the study had experienced long-lasting antagonistic effects, reminiscent of pain, anxiety and headaches.
Professor Julie Davies (UCL School Global Business School for Health), a co-author of the study, commented: “The UK cosmetic injectables industry has expanded rapidly in recent times. This has happened largely without scrutiny or oversight. Our findings needs to be a wake-up call for legislators to implement effective regulation and skilled standards to safeguard patients from complications. Although the risks related to injections are sometimes mild and temporary, the physical complications might be everlasting and debilitating. There are also serious psychological, emotional, and financial consequences for patients when procedures go fallacious.”
The work was supported by a research grant from QUAD A.
Source:
University College London
Journal reference:
Zargaran, D., et al. (2023) Profiling UK injectable aesthetic practitioners: a national cohort evaluation. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2023.06.057.