News
June 3, 2019
With all the controversy in the media recently, and on-going, conversation regarding the unsafe use of aesthetic treatments, one award-winning doctor speaks out and comments on the new government’s new campaign.
Doctor Steven Land – Owner and operator of Novellus Aesthetics in Jesmond, Newcastle had this to say:
“Aesthetic procedures are continuing to grow in popularity at an astonishing rate I agree that it is only right for the government to look at this sector of the healthcare market and ensure that public awareness of the risks and complications has kept pace with this growth. It’s definitely a step in the right direction.”
The Department of Health has launched a new campaign aimed at aesthetic treatments, with the aim to help the public make ‘the right decision and reduce the risks’ when it comes to receiving aesthetics procedures.
The campaign warns against the risks of home treatments and disreputable, unsafe practitioners. It is made up of infomercials in glossy magazines, a cut-out check list of important questions to ask your aesthetics provider as well an updated section on the NHS website with advice on aesthetic procedures.
Doctor Steven Land welcomes these changes but told us:
“Many within the aesthetics industry have taken this as a positive move and a win for regulation in the aesthetics procedures, and, although I welcome any positive changes within this area, I also can’t help but see it as a missed opportunity. At a time when the NHS is stretched to breaking point, wouldn’t it be better to regulate the industry and ensure that only trained professionals are allowed to administer such procedures? “Increasing numbers of patients are reporting adverse effects during or after their aesthetic treatments, with many of these problems also adding to the NHS’ burden, as people seek to rectify the damage done by poorly trained individuals and in some cases, unscrupulous so-called therapists.
“Although this is a step in the right direction, I reiterate that it is a missed opportunity. Tighter regulation, allowing only doctors, dentists and nurses to carry out these procedures, would be, in my view, the correct path. Whilst I’m not saying these professionals are not without fault, this simple, cheap piece of legislation would remove 90% of the problem at almost zero cost. These professionals have accountable bodies they can be reported to in the event of repeated issues with the power to stop them from practicing, something that simply does not exist for lay groups, leading to the issues we’ve seen of people simply moving to a new city and setting up again, with no consequences for their actions.”
There is currently no regulation in the UK regarding who can perform injectable treatments such as dermal fillers and Botox, meaning practitioners with little or no education in their uses and adverse effects such as beauty therapists, hairdressers and even cleaners can pick up a syringe of the world’s most potent neurotoxin – or potentially artery blocking dermal filler – and inject it into your face.
Whilst patients tend to naturally be drawn to cheaper prices and being injected in the comfort of their own homes, Doctor Land wants to raise awareness of the risks of infection, swelling, bruising, pain and tissue death, which can occur if fillers are injected in the wrong places.
“The consequences of ‘botched’ procedures can be devastating, both emotionally and physically, and can lead to the need for expensive and painful follow up treatments. Removing 90% of the problem with a simple, cheap solution is surely the answer we should be seeking.”
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