Unfortunately, every single day I see more and more horror stories of aesthetic procedures ‘gone wrong’. I am a member of a number of medical aesthetic social media communities and professional bodies (like the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses, and the Aesthetic Complications Expert Group) to ensure that I remain at the very forefront of non-surgical aesthetics, and my newsfeed and inbox are constantly filled with graphic images of patients with painful and disfiguring scars.

Beware of Cheap Imitations

There is a single common cause for all of these injuries, and that is the fact that unsuspecting members of the public are unwittingly putting their health and safety in the hands of untrained, inexperienced and often unscrupulous ‘clinicians’ for injectable cosmetic treatments because they offer a cheap and ‘convenient’ product. I would love for the idea of a ‘cheap beauty treatment’ to set alarm bells ringing in every member of the public, as for me it suggests the following:

  • 1) That the products used are substandard – all of the products I use in clinic are highly regarded and industry leading products. They have been exhaustively tested and refined to ensure that they are safe and effective, and as a result they have a price-point that cannot be heavily discounted or reduced: they are an exceptional quality product. ‘Cheap’ treatments may utilise products that have not been rigorously tested and pose an increased risk of unwanted side-effects.
  • 2) That the clinical premises are not appropriate – ‘Botox parties’ in people’s homes, or mobile injectable beauty treatments from untrained professionals may seem like a good idea as they reduce the overheads associated with running a physical clinic, but I can guarantee that the premises will not be as sterile or hygienic as a dedicated clinic, increasing the risk of cross-contamination and infection post-treatment. If a clinician offers ‘syringe shares’ too, please be aware that that significantly increases the risk of cross-contamination from a procedure, even if the needle is changed.
  • 3) That the clinician does not have adequate insurance – insurance is a business necessity for any reputable medical aesthetics practitioner, as it helps to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of the patient (as well as the clinician) are central to any treatment carried out.
  • 4) That the clinician does not have the extensive medical qualifications required to administer injectable aesthetic treatments – if you are injecting a solution into the human body, it is absolutely essential to have a deep medical understanding and appreciation of human physiology to ensure that an injection is administered safely and effectively. There are real risks associated with injecting someone in the wrong place, at the wrong depth, or with the wrong product, and I see far too many instances of facial disfigurement or even debilitating injuries being caused by people who don’t know what they are doing.

The Benefits of a Trained Medical Professional

I don’t agree with individuals who aren’t medically qualified administering injectable non-surgical aesthetic treatments – it significantly increases the risk of physical harm (and the associated psychological trauma) to patients. I have spent the last 30 years working in Nursing and have had a number of roles within the sector (including working in Casualty, working in a Primary Care Centre and working as a Practice Nurse). The medical insight and experience gained from these challenging roles was the perfect foundation for moving into Aesthetic Nursing 14 years ago.

Though my area of specialism has changed, and the training I have undertaken since moving into Aesthetics has been much more specific to skin and facial anatomy, I still have to ensure that my wider medical skills remain up to date and that I remain a registered Nurse and maintain my prescribing qualification (as I am also an Independent Nurse Prescriber) so that I can offer the very highest quality patient care and support.

With any aesthetic treatment, there is a small risk of adverse reaction to injectable solutions – a risk that is significantly reduced when the treatment uses a reputable product in a clean and safe environment, using clean and safe equipment handled by a medically trained professional. My medical training allows me to prepare for this as much as possible, identifying individuals for whom treatments are inappropriate during their obligatory pre-treatment consultation, and recognising the symptoms of adverse reactions quickly and efficiently for the safety and wellbeing of my patients.

So next time you see a ‘bargain basement’ aesthetic treatment being offered, please steer well clear! Seek advice (and, if appropriate, a treatment) from an experienced and reputable medical professional if you are considering any treatment, and be prepared to pay a little extra to ensure that the products being used are safe and appropriate. Your skin is incredibly precious, so give it the treatment it deserves!

More Information

For more information on any of the treatment we offer at The Calla Clinic or for further information on my qualifications and experience, please do not hesitate to get in touch.