It’s been at least 12 weeks since the majority of us have had our hair cut and coloured, nails done, eyelashes filled in, eyebrows threaded and so much more. On top of that, many people are also missing out on their regular appointments to top up botox or filler, and are finding that their usual reflection is starting to change. Not only is this inconvenient for most people, it is also having serious mental health implications on a lot of the community. Young people especially can feel the pressure maintaining a ‘perfect’ image and some people may have already gone down the road of a non-cosmetic procedure and others may now be seriously considering it for the first time. If you have had or are thinking of having dermal fillers or botox during lockdown, there are a few things you should consider, namely whether your practitioner is insured.
Dermal fillers are invasive in that they are administered via injection or cannula method. The complications of having fillers include but are not limited to infection, tissue death, vascular compromise, blindness and anaphylaxis. Researching your practitioner is always very important to ensure that the person you choose has the relevant experience, qualifications and insurance.
There has been a lot of information in the news over the last 12 months surrounding the suitability of beauticians to perform procedures to inject filler and many have called for tighter regulations. During lockdown there have been numerous reports of practitioners visiting client’s homes to carry out non-essential cosmetic procedures. Many of these practitioners will visit several homes in one day without suitable PPE. Other clinics have allegedly been operating out of their usual premises, but in secret.
The demand for procedures is extremely high. According to their website, Save Face carried out a survey on 2352 people and a staggering 98% of them said that they wanted a non-surgical cosmetic procedure when lockdown lifted. 95% of those people said it was essential that the practitioner is a trained healthcare professional with a thorough understanding of infection control. Save Face has also reported that most procedures at this time are being booked in the North West by young people.
If a beautician/practitioner/medical professional is offering to provide non-surgical cosmetic procedures during lockdown, you should ask yourself what protection you have if something is to go wrong. Do you really want somebody touching your face that is knowingly not insured to do so? There is concern generally that unqualified beauticians would be unable to cope if a complication arose and you required urgent intervention. It is extremely likely that an individual (whether under the umbrella of a clinic or acting alone) injecting botox or fillers at this time will be uninsured. If you are to suffer personal injury as a result of such treatment, you may find that you are left with no recourse to pursue.
A useful resource is Save Face which provides a government approved register of non-surgical cosmetic practitioners.
If you have found yourself injured following a cosmetic procedure, Farleys Personal Injury Department can help. Please call 0845 287 0939 for assistance or contact us through our online form.
