When I first started injecting toxins and fillers over 25 years ago, the only practitioners providing such treatment were doctors and the occasional nurse prescriber and dentist.
 
Since then, the availability of toxin and filler injections has exploded, and a large percentage of such treatments are performed by non-medically qualified individuals, such as beauty therapists, hairdressers, and indeed those from any background.
 
I have even seen patients with complications who have been treated by bank clerks and builders!

Who to trust with your botox and filler treatment's

Over the last 10 years, I have become increasingly involved in the management of complications in the UK. As a result, not only am I referred to several complications cases every week by colleagues, but also patients seek my advice independently, having been treated by non-medically trained providers

I am a firm believer that injectable facial and body treatments should only be performed by medically trained individuals, and having taught injection techniques all over the world, I have become very aware that the UK is an international laughing stock when it comes to regulation.

Who to trust with your botox and filler treatment's

Tips before getting Botox or filler treatments

Any practitioner injecting should be fully trained not only in these techniques but should also be able to manage any complications arising from their treatment.

This requires them to have detailed anatomical knowledge, plus an understanding of pharmacology and therapeutics, and the ability to prescribe.

Treatment, for example, of a vascular occlusion requires far more than just the injection of hyaluronidase.
 
Management with steroids, antibiotics, anticoagulants and other drugs may be indicated, and drugs such as these need to be prescribed by a medically qualified injector.
 
A significant number of the patients I have seen treated by non-medical practitioners have experienced a serious adverse event, which has not been diagnosed by the injector.
 
I have seen cases of necrosis of the glabella, of the nasal septum, and of the lip, all caused by the injector failing to recognise the complication and manage it appropriately.
 
As a result, the delay in diagnosis has led to, in many cases, permanent scarring and tissue loss, which in some cases has led to the requirement for plastic surgical reconstruction.
 
I also work closely with some medical negligence law firms and am referred many cases of undiagnosed and mismanaged complications, where the injector clearly does not have a medical background.
How to know if your injection practitioner is qualified

How to know if your injection practitioner is qualified

Many of these unfortunate patients have presented to their lay injector with clear signs of serious complications, yet have been reassured that they are only bruised, or that they have a mild infection that will settle with some moisturiser.
 
As a result, the opportunity to minimise or avoid long-term damage is missed.

In summary, it is my firm but perhaps divisive opinion that if you want to build a career in aesthetic injectables, you should first go to university to undertake a medical, dental or nursing degree.

Anything less than this is simply not acceptable.

Author: Dr David Eccleston

I’m Dr. David Eccleston and I am the Clinical Director of MediZen. I founded MediZen in 1999 alongside my wife Annie. I was one of the first doctors in the country to offer injectables and my experience has led me to be recognised as 'Aesthetic Doctor of the Year' and ‘Tatler's 'Man in the Midlands' for aesthetic injectables.

Dr. Eccleston has over 20 years of experience using Anti-Wrinkle Injections and other injectables, including dermal fillers. He developed an interest in Cosmetic Dermatology during 1993 while working as an NHS GP and then founded MediZen in 1999 alongside his wife, Annie. Every aesthetic practitioner at MediZen has been personally trained and approved by Dr. Eccleston, so you can be sure whoever you see at MediZen, you will receive the highest quality treatment.

Dr. Eccleston is one of the few medical practitioners in the UK to be a lead investigator in clinical trials on the use of all 3 of the UK licensed brands of Anti-Wrinkle Injections. He works closely with leading companies including Allergan, Galderma and Merz Pharmaceuticals.

 

To view more blogs by Dr David Eccleston please click here.