The Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery has issued a warning against home-based beauty salons administering unapproved cosmetic injectables.
With the total annual expenditure on cosmetic surgical, medical and related procedures and treatments in Australia estimated to be $1 billion, it’s little wonder there are people willing to bend the rules to get in on the action.
In the last few days, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has advised that it had received reports of home-based beauty salons administering unapproved substances posturing as botulinum toxin. In response, the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery has issued a warning to Australian consumers against receiving cosmetic medical treatments from home-based businesses. Why? Chances are, these practices are using unapproved substances purchased on the Internet.
Of the top five cosmetic procedures in Australia, anti-wrinkle injections is the top seller, with Australians annually consuming more than $350 million worth of wrinkle reduction procedures, including botulinum toxin. Fillers come in at number two, followed by laser and IPL. Breast augmentation and reduction, and liposuction round out the five.
The College has said it is highly concerned about reports of unapproved substances, such as those dubious injectables labeled as botulinum toxin. The ACCS has issued a strong warning to Australians against receiving cosmetic medical treatments from home-based businesses. Botulinum toxin is a restricted drug only available through a prescription issued by a doctor, yet there is a tide of unapproved substances being bought online and imported to be used Australian home-bases businesses.
“The complications arising from using such unapproved substances by untrained persons can be very serious,” says ACCS President, Dr Bezic who advises that medicines such as botulinum toxin should only be provided through and administered under the supervision of a qualified doctor.
“The ACCS has worked closely with the TGA about this very serious risk to patient safety,” says Dr Bezic. “The College is pleased that its concerns are being thoroughly investigated by the TGA.”
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has approved only three versions of botulinum toxin for importation and use in Australia, all are produced and supplied according to very strict standards.
The College strongly advises anyone considering having a cosmetic procedure to first consult with an appropriately trained doctor. We say, if you are reading this from your own make-shift salon in your back room, perhaps think about the dangers of buying and administering unapproved medicines over the net before saying yes to another booking.
For more information and a copy of the College’s patient information brochure, Things You Should Know, go to www.accs.org.au
Have your say: what do you think of this trend of at-home salons injecting unapproved substances into trusting clients?