A new law recently passed that prevents people under 18 from receiving cosmetic treatments such as dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections. This news may surprise many people, as it is uncommon to find a clinic that would have treated those under 18 before the law was passed. The people performing these procedures are often under-qualified and unreputable, which emphasises the need to visit a professional, reputable clinic if you’re 18 or over and interested in cosmetic treatment. 

Teenagers are known for being easily influenced, and the pressures of conforming to an accepted beauty standard sadly don’t help this. That is why in today’s blog, we’re looking into what The Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act is, what it means for clinics, and why the Act was put in place. 

What Does the Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act Mean for Clinics? 

The Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act came into force in England on Friday 1st October 2021. It means that it is now illegal for anyone to not only administer the treatments for anyone under the age of 18, but it is also unlawful to book them in for an appointment. If you fail to comply with these laws, you could find yourself with criminal prosecution and an unlimited fine. The products that come under this Act are: 

• Botulinum toxin medicines 

• Cosmetic fillers 

As cosmetic professionals, you must verify someone’s age before booking an appointment to ensure you’re complying with the law and protecting your patients. 

Suppose you are a registered healthcare professional (dentist, nurse, or pharmacist). In that case, you can still book in and treat patients with the products mentioned under the discretion of a doctor if the treatment is for medical reasons, not cosmetic. 

Why Was This Act Put into Place?  

There are many reasons why this Act was put in place, but it is mainly for the protection and safeguarding of children. Ethical considerations must be made, such as whether a person under the age of 18 is mentally mature enough to decide whether they want to go through with such treatments or whether they are conforming to peer pressure. There are also potential health risks. Before the age of 18, someone’s body may not be fully developed and going through with dermal filler treatments may hinder their growth and development, especially during puberty. 

The Department for Health revealed that the number of people under 18 receiving these treatments was around 41,000 per year. This is quite a shocking statistic; as mentioned, if you had chosen a reputable cosmetic clinic before the Bill was passed, it wouldn’t have been possible to be booked in or treated under the age of 18. 

The Importance of Choosing a Reputable Clinic 

Often, when turned away at a reputable clinic, teenagers searched out the treatments elsewhere. Unfortunately, this meant that they received treatments from people who were underqualified and under-experienced. Some people complete dermal filler training courses online without any experience and then perform the procedures for the first time on clients. As this is technically legal, it’s concerning how many people would have been treated by people in these clinics without knowing the dangers and ethical issues. This is why choosing a reputable skin clinic is key. Here at Aesthetic Skin Clinic, our medical professionals are experienced and knowledgeable enough to guide you through the process stress-free. You are in safe hands with our award-winning practitioners so, if you’re over 18 and are thinking of receiving cosmetic treatments, why not contact our team and find out what we can do for you. 

Why are Young People Are Turning to Dermal Fillers and Anti-Wrinkle Injections? 

As mentioned, teenagers can be impressionable, and watching celebrities in the media with cosmetic enhancements may lead them to believe that they too should be receiving these treatments. As a cosmetic nurse or practitioner, it’s vital to stay educated on this topic so you can do your best to protect your patients – verifying their age and ensuring they’re happy to go through with the treatments. 

How Old Should You Be When You Begin Receiving Cosmetic Treatments? 

People believe that at 18, you are mentally mature enough to make your own decisions, as in the eyes of the law, in most cases, you are classed as an adult. However, this doesn’t mean that you should be considering cosmetic treatments immediately after turning 18. If you’re considering surgery, make sure that you have spent time thinking about it first and are happy to go through with the procedures for the right reasons. 

Here at Aesthetic Skin Clinic, you are in safe hands. If you are of age and are interested in receiving dermal fillers in Jersey, Guernsey, or Northern Ireland, or anti-wrinkle injections in Jersey, Guernsey, or Northern Ireland, please contact our team. We will talk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring that you are happy and comfortable from the minute you walk through the doors on your consultation day to long after you have finished receiving treatment.