While the government plans to regulate alternative and 
complementary therapists, should it not also offer a similar scheme for the treatment of Botox?
The government has refused to regulate botox treatment, ignoring a recommendation from the Expert Working Group on Cosmetic Surgery in 2005 that Botox should be monitored by the Healthcare Commission to safeguard patient safety. The government instead asked cosmetic surgeons to regulate themselves. I call that taking the easy way out, ignoring serious concerns expressed by professionals where there could be possible health risks.
Just like many complementary therapists, anyone can set themselves up and provide Botox treatments. You can even pop into a Superdrug store for lunchtime treatment. And there can be severe consequences if things go wrong.
Botox is a highly purified and much diluted form of the botulism bacterium which paralyses the muscles, and is becoming increasingly popular in the UK as a treatment to smooth out wrinkles.
Dr Andrew Vallance-Owen, BUPA medical director and chairman of the Independent Healthcare Advisory Services’ Working Group on Cosmetic Surgery, said cosmetic surgeons had asked ministers two years ago to introduce regulations to protect people, warning:
"We are talking about invasive procedures. Botox is a prescription-only medicine and patient safety should be paramount.
"If things go wrong, some patients could be left scarred physically or psychologically for life.
"If we, the industry, don’t step in these procedures will be less-regulated than ear-piercing."
His views were supported by Jenny Driscoll, health campaigner at Which?, who expressed disappointment that the government had "bottled out" of regulation.
"There’s an increasingly casual approach to non-surgical treatments – just look at Botox parties, where people are encouraged to drink champagne before going under the needle.
"The government needs to step in now because, left to regulate itself, it’d be all too easy for the industry to focus on introducing multiple codes that will just end up confusing people."
I certainly couldn’t fancy Botox, no matter how much bubbly I had drunk. It makes no sense at all that this treatment which carries potential risks is not regulated by the government, while at the same time it is seeking to provide a register of aromatherapists, reflexology and massage.
Ellee, don’t laugh but I tried it three years ago and your concerns here were mine then. I think it’s highly dangerous.
Got to agree with you all the way Elle, becuse of what it is aswell as how it is administered.
I agree with you entirely on this subject.
The problem has been with us for a while now – http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2299859_1,00.html – but the government doesn’t appear to want to anything about it.
James, that’s a brave admission. Did you take any before and after pics? Did it work?
Are tattoos regulated as they are also an invasive procedure!?!
It seems reasonable to expect Botox to be regulated but I fail to see why the general taxpayer should be expected to fund it when it is a temporary cosmetic procedure purely carried out for the vanity of the recipient!
Snafu, good point.
Can’t imagine why anyone would want that stuff injected into their body!
Certain celebrities have tried it and it’s done them no favours.
Snafu: Tattoos aren’t regulated either. There is the usual associations but all self regulated. As far has all the h & S goes it’s ‘buyer beware’.
Ellee: apologies for missing the last ‘e’ off your name.
I think it’s probably dangerous, too, but women will do anything to look young – and who can blame us, given the images before us every day? It’s all very well if you have someone around who can make you feel that you look fine, Ellee – but it’s a very differnt matter if you ahven’t.
Well written, Ellee.
As a New Yorker, the whole business of Botox is nothing new to me. And as someone who has photographed behind-the-scenes of cosmetic surgery, there is something altogether unsettling about watching individuals have their faces injected and slowly paralysed.
What’s even scarier is watching a Botox patient trying to smile. The permanent poker-face gives no indication.
These days the reasons for Botox may not be exclusively cosmetic. It is now being used for the treatment of chronic cluster headaches, of which I am a sufferer. Anyone who has suffered a cluster headache will think me a fool for declining the two-in-one package deal. But for that unsettling feeling stated above I can’t get myself to go through with it. Furthermore, it’s a lifetime commitment.
Whatever the reasons, cosmetic or otherwise, it should absolutely be regulated.
August
(Ellee thanks for visiting my blog and introducing me to yours.)
Image consultant, thanks for your supportive link, I don’t understand why the government won’t respond to calls for regulation on this. I guess it is waiting for one or two horror stories to happen.
August, too true re the stiff smile. Can these insecure women really enjoy looking like that?
Welshcakes, yes, too true. Just watch your skin in Sicily and use plenty of SF 30, drink loads of water, enjoy some walks with Simi, and hopefully that should help.
I must admit I have thought about trying botox _ I think I am rather un-wrinkly for my age, but I do have very strong frown lines, which make me look like Mr Angry (I blame 10 years of Labour government!). Is it really so awful? As for the substance itself, any therapeutic drug can also be a poison in the ‘wrong’ quantity. And remember that HRT (botox by mouth?) is often made from mare’s urine…..