Regulator warns against undergoing procedures at 'Botox parties'

Scotland’s regulator of private health clinics has issued a warning about the dangers of so-called Botox parties.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) is warning against choosing to undergo treatment at parties organised with unregulated providers such as beauticians where alcohol is being consumed.

The regulator is also advising that cosmetic treatments such as Botox, dermal fillers and slimming jabs should only be administered by recognised healthcare professionals.

All private clinics, hospitals and hospices where services are provided by healthcare professionals are legally required to be registered with HIS.

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Eddie Docherty, director of quality assurance and regulation at HIS, said: “Having a cosmetic treatment is a serious undertaking that should only be entered into with due consideration of the very real risks to an individual’s health and safety.

“Bringing together the injecting of Botox, alcohol and a party atmosphere reduces people’s judgement, and their ability to properly provide consent and consider the real risks.

“No clinic regulated by us, and run by a healthcare professional, would be permitted to run Botox parties as an appropriate environment to provide such a treatment.

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“We would urge anyone looking to get cosmetic interventions to think about their health and wellbeing, and put their care into the hands of professionals with years of appropriate training and experience behind them, and where they can trust them to make their wellbeing a priority.

“In addition, if you are receiving Botox from a beautician, then it may be a product that has been imported from overseas and not authorised for use in the UK.

“Only a trained and experienced healthcare professional should administer Botox, acquired through a registered pharmacist, as they can access it legally, understand the physiology of the face in order to administer it correctly, and have ready access to effective medicines if something goes wrong.

“People should always check that a clinic is registered with HIS before undertaking treatments.”