A first-of-its-kind study has found that services in the UK such as Botox injections and dermal fillers are being administered by healthcare workers who are not doctors.
More than two-thirds of people who administer cosmetic surgery injections in the UK are not qualified doctors, a new study has found.
The study – which is the first survey of who provides injectable cosmetic services, including Botox and dermal fillers in the country – found that dentists and nurses are among those providing injections.
After reviewing 3,000 cosmetic surgery websites, 1,163 (32%) physicians were identified, 41% of whom were specialists and 19% were on the general practitioner register.
While other health professionals such as nurses make up 13%, dentists 24% and dental nurses 8%.
The injectable drug market is forecast to reach £11.7bn by 2026, but is currently largely unregulated as the origin of practitioners is unknown.
Dr David Zargaran, author of the study, published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, said the range of practitioners’ experiences opened up wider questions of “competence and consent”.
“Our research highlights that the majority of practitioners are not doctors and include other health professionals as well as non-health professionals such as beauticians,” he said.
“One of the key challenges facing the government’s licensing scheme is ensuring that licensed medical practitioners have the skills and experience to safely administer their treatment to minimize risks to patients.”
The findings come as the government prepares to update policy on injectables, and a public consultation for the industry is due to start next month.
“Our findings should be a wake-up call for lawmakers to introduce effective regulation and professional standards to protect patients from complications,” said Professor Julie Davies, co-author of the study.
“Although the risks associated with injections are often mild and temporary, the physical complications can be permanent and debilitating.
“There are also serious psychological, emotional and financial consequences for patients when procedures go wrong.”
A second study by the same authors, published earlier this month, found that 69 percent of those surveyed experienced long-term adverse effects, such as pain, anxiety and headaches.