Here in the UK there is no specific legislation that prevents non-medical professionals to carry out injectable cosmetic procedures so when we’re asked who can train to do Botox and fillers, the answer is pretty much anyone with the relevant training.
BUT
And it’s a big but, this doesn’t mean that the Government or the medical community agrees. While current legislation doesn’t stop beauty therapists carrying out the procedures, it is looking more and more likely that new laws will come into place in the near future.
A review of aesthetic practices was commissioned back in 2013 with the findings of the Keogh report stating that better regulation was needed across the industry.
In the report, Professor Bruce Keogh KBE states that
‘a person having a non-surgical cosmetic intervention has no more protection and redress than someone buying a ballpoint pen or a toothbrush…It is our view that dermal fillers are a crisis waiting to happen…These recommendations are not about increasing bureaucracy but about putting the everyone’s safety and wellbeing first.”
Responses to the report from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, Government and Health Education England all agreed and further reports have been published, offering guidelines on how the industry could and should be regulated.
While these aren’t legal requirements, they certainly reaffirm that stricter controls will become reality.
Can beauty therapists do Botox courses and filler courses?
According to the letter of the law, yes, beauty therapists can train to become aesthetic practitioners however most reputable medi-spas and clinics which offer Botulinum Toxin and dermal fillers will only employ healthcare professionals such as dentists, doctors, dental nurses, pharmacists etc.
At the Dr Hennessy Academy we only accept members of the medical community onto our Botox training courses and, as members of Save Face, we are dedicated to making the industry safer and more regulated.
Across the UK you will be able to find training courses for non-medical professionals and get the required botox qualifications but with the promise of new laws governing the aesthetic industry, you may find out that you have spent a lot of money only to be left unable to practice.
What if I want to set up my own aesthetic business?
When it comes to choosing the right academy to train with, you should look for a number of key factors before signing up and handing over the fees. Ensure they have the relevant insurance and that you will be covered, check that you will get to practice on real models in small groups so you get the experience you need and ask about aftercare and business support.
On our Botox and lip filler courses for beginners, we not only provide you with all the technical and practical knowledge and experience, we also set you up with all you need to leave and start working as an aesthetic practitioner immediately.
This includes sound business advice, guidance on insurance, marketing literature, consultation and consent documents as well as access to ongoing support.
Remember this is only for medically trained professionals so what if you’re a beauty therapist and considering adding injectables to your portfolio and you’ve been through your training?
Well, all aesthetic practitioners must have adequate indemnity insurance to cover against medical malpractice claims. As the injector, you are wholly responsible for the outcome of the treatment you are providing.
You will be held accountable if anything goes wrong such as you making a mistake or the client not being happy with the results. In the worst cases, they may try to sue you for negligence.
Part of this risk can be overcome by carrying out a thorough consultation so you can manage your client’s expectations, but sometimes mistakes can happen or complications can arise and you must be covered for all eventualities.
There are specific insurance policies for the industry which will cover you for legal fees and damages, but similar to training providers, most reputable insurers will only provide cover for healthcare professionals.
As a beauty therapist you may receive cover for non-injectable treatments such as skin-peels but if your cover doesn’t include injectables and toxins and you carry out such a treatment then you are putting you and your patient at risk.
If all the training is the same, why won’t you take beauty therapists on your courses?
Botulinum Toxin and other muscle-freezing toxins fall under the label of prescription only medicine in the UK, that means it can only be prescribed by a qualified prescriber such as a doctor or dentist.
Medical professionals who aren’t prescribers – such as dental nurses or radiographers – must work with a prescriber who attends the consultation to assess the patient.
That also means a beauty therapist would only be able to perform Botox injections if they work alongside a prescribing clinician.
As the prescriber takes equal responsibility for the outcome of the procedure, it’s highly unlikely they would want to be responsible for a non-medical professional’s injecting work.
What about dermal fillers? Well, they’re not classed as a prescription medicine which means a prescriber doesn’t need to oversee a consultation. However, it is still a medical procedure rather than just a beauty treatment.
It involves needle injections which penetrate the skin to a depth that increases the risk of complications.
Medical professionals are now taught how to carry out dermal injections as part of their training – along with how to handle any complications.
This essential knowledge, combined with their in-depth understanding of facial anatomy and the safe use of needles and cannulas ensures a level of patient safety which is second to none.
It’s important to understand that the proposed regulations are not about medical professionals belittling the work of therapists, it’s about patient safety and who has the more indepth medical knowledge.
Speak with Botox and Filler Experts
Do you have any questions about this article or our cosmetic courses? Contact Dr Hennessy on the contact form below or call us on 01704567557 free of cost.
