After years of tough discussions, England passed a law today, Friday, banning Botox treatments for those under the age of 18.
A new law, which comes into force today, aims to protect young people in England from harm after years of unsuccessful efforts to regulate the non-surgical beauty industry.
Government estimates show that up to 41,000 Botox treatments were given to people under the age of 18 in England over the past year. An analysis by the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs suggests that there were up to 29,300 treatments for under 18s in 2017. Before the new legislation came into force in England, under 18s could have Botox treatments without any age control.
U-18 botox ban also expected in Scotland and Wales
A change in legislation in this direction is also expected for Wales and Scotland in the future, summarizes the BBC, which first reported on the amendment.
Supporters of the new regulation are calling on the other nations to act quickly to prevent young people from traveling across the borders from England for treatment. There is still no law in the UK requiring doctors to have formal qualifications or training for this type of treatment, as the BBC writes.
MEP Laura Trott, who initiated the legislative change in parliament, said in an interview with the BBC: “No child needs cosmetic botox or fillers and as of today they will no longer be able to enter a clinic or someone’s house and get away Going through a dangerous and unnecessary procedure that could ruin their life. It won’t solve all of the problems in this industry, but it will make a real difference for those under the age of 18. “
Compulsory insurance required
However, Ashton Collins, director of Save Face, a national association of accredited physicians offering non-surgical treatments, noted that the law needs to be expanded to include all non-surgical treatments such as thread lifting (such as lifting and closing the face She told the BBC, “We see a lot of women who have had these treatments and it has gone wrong – because anyone can do these treatments and they are quite invasive.”
“Save Face” also calls for a restriction on the number of people who are allowed to perform non-surgical cosmetic treatments, as well as the introduction of compulsory insurance in order to cover possible treatment damage more effectively.
