Wolverhampton residents are being urged to remain vigilant and follow some important guidance when considering aesthetic procedures available on the High Street.
Environmental Health officers at City of Wolverhampton Council are concerned that people are not always aware of the safety risks and potential complications involved.
Officers want to encourage residents to ask questions and report any concerns before undergoing aesthetic procedures such as Botox, anti wrinkle injections, cosmetic or dermal fillers, chemical peels or skin boosters.
They recommend the following:
Make sure you have a pre-consultation before undergoing any procedure. This should look at your medical history and give you the chance to understand potential risks and complications.
Check the qualifications and experience of the person carrying out the procedure, and whether they are trained to deliver aesthetic procedures, such as injectables.
Ask what insurance cover, such as General Liability Insurance, does the practitioner have.
Check the name of the product and whether it is licensed, and how and where it is made – products such as Botulax, reNTox and Innotox are not authorised medicines for use in the UK.
- Don’t accept treatment on the day of the consultation. A prescription must be written and dispensed by a pharmacist for you only. This takes time, and don’t feel afraid to ask your practitioner what the risks involved are, and how they will manage any complications which may arise.
- Check that the product is unopened before use and for those which are licensed, that it has a pharmacy dispensing label attached with your name on the label.
- Remember that if you have any doubts, you have the right to change your mind and withdraw from undergoing the treatment.
Residents are also urged to consider the place where procedures are taking place and if they have any concerns about the cleanliness and personal hygiene of a practitioner, to report them to environmental.health@wolverhampton.gov.uk