Members of Parliament have recently stated that there is a “complete absence” of regulation of non-surgical beauty treatments, such as Botox and fillers, with calls for urgent and imminent change. The lack of regulation in the industry has seen many unqualified ‘practitioners’ administering treatments to patients, which has often had unwanted and serious aesthetic consequences.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) revealed a 70% increase in requests for cosmetic consultations in 2020, alongside research from Uvence cosmetics (uvence.co) which shows that over 3 million Brits are considering treatments in 2021. However, with so many new patients considering treatment, the UK government has failed to keep up, and aesthetic training courses are almost entirely unregulated as a result.

There has also been a wealth of research and development in cosmetics during the past few years, and this has birthed a new range of treatments now available in the market. One example is Uvence – a natural bio-filler which utilises one’s own purified cells to rejuvenate and smooth the skin. The treatment is HTA regulated, and testament to the importance of beauty innovations adhering to the safeguarding measures in the cosmetic world.

Leading cosmetic surgeon and CMO of Uvence, Dr. Olivier Amar, is keen to discuss the following:

– The importance of safeguarding patients

– What can be done to improve regulation measures in the cosmetic industry
– The importance of patients doing their research when seeking cosmetic surgery

– The risks involved when having treatments administered by unqualified practitioners

Dr. Olivier Amar discusses why it is vital for patients to do their research before committing to cosmetic procedures:

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, practitioners and surgeons in the cosmetic industry have noticed a spike in patient demand for treatments. This increasing interest is from existing patients as well as individuals who have never previously considered cosmetic procedures, and with such a high patient demand there has been a concerning

One of the most vital parts of having a cosmetic procedure is ensuring that you only go to a trusted and qualified professional. It shocks me to hear how many patients will go to unqualified practitioners for procedures, as not only can this lead to botched cosmetic results, but it can also have serious implications on health and wellbeing. Regulating the industry is something that myself and my peers in the industry consider of utmost importance, and I urge anyone who is considering a treatment to do thorough research before committing to anything.

The relationship between patient and practitioner is also very important. There are many responsibilities that practitioners must uphold, including informing patients of the entire process, understanding what outcome they are seeking, and their reasons for seeking treatment in the first place. I would also stress that patients take their time to ensure that their decision to have surgery done is is right for them.”