Environmental Health officers at City of Wolverhampton Council are concerned that people are not always aware of the safety risks and potential complications involved.

Officers want to encourage residents to ask questions and report any concerns before undergoing aesthetic procedures such as Botox, anti-wrinkle injections, cosmetic or dermal fillers, chemical peels or skin boosters.

They recommend the following:

• Make sure you have a pre-consultation before undergoing any procedure. This should look at your medical history and give you the chance to understand potential risks and complications.
• Check the qualifications and experience of the person carrying out the procedure, and whether they are trained to deliver aesthetic procedures, such as injectables.
• Ask what insurance cover, such as General Liability Insurance, does the practitioner have.
• Check the name of the product and whether it is licensed, and how and where it is made - products such as Botulax, reNTox and Innotox are not authorised medicines for use in the UK.  
• Don’t accept treatment on the day of the consultation. A prescription must be written and dispensed by a pharmacist for you only. This takes time, and don’t feel afraid to ask your practitioner what the risks involved are, and how they will manage any complications which may arise.
• Check that the product is unopened before use and for those which are licensed, that it has a pharmacy dispensing label attached with your name on the label.
• Remember that if you have any doubts, you have the right to change your mind and withdraw from undergoing the treatment.

Residents are also urged to consider the place where procedures are taking place and if they have any concerns about the cleanliness and personal hygiene of a practitioner, to report them to environmental.health@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Some tips on what to look out for include:

• Sharps (such as needles) must be placed into yellow waste bins.
• Used soft tissues and PPE (protective clothing) must be disposed of into a yellow waste bag, within a receptacle.
• Make sure practitioners are washing their hands and wearing appropriate protective clothing, such as a single use apron, gloves and face covering where necessary.
• Handwashing is particularly important after using the bathroom or a mobile phone. Practitioners should also change gloves after these activities to prevent the spread of infection.
• The premises must be clean, check that you can see that cleaning products are available.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for resident services, said: “The popularity of aesthetic procedures and their availability on the high street is increasing.

“Residents need to be aware that they can ask important questions before undergoing a procedure, and that they can let practitioners know if they feel uncomfortable.

“Please don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed to come forward and report your concerns to us confidentially. Our Environmental Health officers are there to help and can take action where necessary when there are potential risks to the public.

“By being aware, asking questions and reporting concerns, you are helping to make sure that other people are protected and can experience a safe environment when undergoing aesthetic procedures.”
 
Any member of the public with any information or concerns, or any practitioners who want additional support, can contact environmental.health@wolverhampton.gov.uk