Liposuction and Plastic Surgery Information - Customers warned of Botox Bandits

Customers warned of Botox Bandits

Thursday, 23 November 2006

The Independent Healthcare Advisory Services (IHAS), a UK lobby group representing many of the UK's leading private hospitals, has warned against the dangers of the UK Government failing to regulate the booming Botox industry.

They say that unqualified Botox bandits could have a free rein to practice, with serious risks for unwary consumers. The UK cosmetic surgery industry is booming, with particularly strong growth in non-invasive procedures such as Botox, generating about $190 million in sales last year.

Although the UK Government previously recognised the risks of an unregulated industry, the Department of Health is, according to IHAS, backing off from introducing consumer protection regulations. "We have moved from a situation where the Government has recognised a risk and need for regulation, to a situation where it appears to be looking for a way to back out," said Paul Stapleton, a member of Ihas.

Although the vast majority of Botox treatments are safe, the potential side-effects include skin necrosis, partial facial paralysis and double vision.

Legislation was originally promised to be introduced in October of this year, but it has now been pushed back to April 2007, with apparent uncertainty as to whether the legislation will be introduced to regulate the industry.

A spokesman for the UK Government said: "The Department of Health is considering the form of regulation that would provide the best approach for treatment providers and their patients."

Tags: botox, surgery safety,