If you haven’t had a chance to watch, check out a programme that aired last Thursday on BBC3 called ‘Botox Britain: Your Face In Their Hands’ (airing again on BBC3 Wednesday 13th April at 8pm, or you can still catch on BBC IPlayer here).  It’s a balanced look at the world of cosmetic injectables and provides a good caution about a few aspects of the procedures.  Caution?  Yes, that’s right.  Here’s what the key messages were.

1. Be Careful Where You are Treated - The presenter ordered a kit over the phone and after testing, it was found to contain some vials filled with recalled (illegal) product, and other vials that had nothing more than sugar water. A physician was interviewed who stressed the importance of using a qualified practitioner, and the nature of the prescription drug that is used in BTX injections.

2. In the hands of a qualified professional, these treatments are generally considered safe - Temporary dermal fillers and BTX injections have been used safely and successfully by thousands of women for anti-aging treatments. A doctor, dentist or nurse prescriber are able to prescribe the drug and administer safely.

3.Permanent dermal fillers can have permanent side effects - There was a heart breaking interview with a woman who had collagen injections to her lips years earlier.  She now suffers from painful side effects that have left her upper lip disfigured and are costing her thousands of pounds to treat, simply to minimize the pain and prevent disfigurement of her lower lip as well.  It was stressed that temporary dermal fillers only carry risks of temporary side effects – they do not carry the same risks of permanent fillers.

4. Very young women should proceed with caution – A teenager who receives BTX injections, and a young woman who calls herself addicted to dermal fillers for her lips were both interviewed.  They both felt that they were having treatments for the right reasons, but a psychologist provided comment that there is risk of depending on injectable cosmetics to feel good about yourself.  Using these treatments too young can lead to dependence and ironically, low self-esteem.

5. These treatments are not for everyone – The presenter herself decided against having the BTX injection during the programme.  She felt she had learned that they were safe and effective, and she was in the care of a qualified practitioner.  Still they just weren’t right for her, and in the end that was the best decision she could make for herself.

The end of the story is that these injections are a viable option for people who would like to turn back the clock on certain lines and wrinkles – but only if done in the hands of the right professional, and when done for reasons right for the individual person.

If you are interested in cosmetic injectable treatments, I do recommend this programme to give a balanced view of the procedures involved.

If you have more questions, please get in touch with us.  No question is too small, consultations are always free – and we will always work towards the decision that’s best for you.  Get the facts and make your own decision – the one that’s right for you.