Tariq Drabu Affair Around Cosmetic Practice

It is time for the better regulation of non surgical cosmetic treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers. I write in response to a report published on 29 January from the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

The report entitled "Professional Standards for Cosmetic Practice" states that surgeons should provide cosmetic surgery and only doctors, dentists and nurses who have undertaken appropriate training should provide non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as Botox, Currently certain cosmetic treatments can be administered by anyone, anywhere with no medical training. The report can be found at http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/publications/docs/professional-standards-for-cosmetic-practice.

Regrettably for some people nonsurgical cosmetic treatment is not seen as a medical procedure. This has led to events such as Botox parties where non-qualified non-trained members of the public can inject other members of the public with a drug and a chemical with no regulation, license or inspection. This is a situation that has to be stopped and cannot continue for safety of the public. This is not about cost and any arguments that are put forward to advance that are missing the point. This is simply about public safety.

If you are working in an unregulated environment where you do not have to worry about hygiene, safety, inspections and regulations you will be able to provide this procedure at a cheap cost. There are no issues of training or continuing professional development or education involved. In this way you are putting your health at risk and those people who administer these treatments they are a danger to the public and must be stopped. I am not saying that doctors and dentists provide these treatments cheaper. However at least you know that you will be treated in a safe, clean, hygienic environment to the highest standards by a professional whose job is to put your safety above all else. I support the position that only trained doctors, dentists and nurses should provide nonsurgical cosmetic treatments.

At Langley Dental Practice we have been offering treatments such wrinkle smoothing and dermal fillers for almost 10 years with excellent results. Currently non-surgical procedures such as laser treatments or injectables can be administered by people with no healthcare qualifications whatsoever. I was quite astounded when I read that you do not need to be medically trained to administer these types of procedure. Regulation of these procedures is important and I hope that the government will act swiftly and decisively.