Botox regulation

Dr Singh who runs his botox clinic in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, in his latest blog shares his thoughts on botox and the future regarding regulation.

CEN

Earlier in 2014, the new European Aesthetics Surgery regulatory standards gained CEN approval. Much of the legislation will crack down on the inconsistency of botox procedural standards, training requirements and the condition of both surgical and non-surgical aesthetic treatment centres.

On the whole, the Aesthetics Surgery Services bill is designed to provide an overall set of minimum standards and quality guidelines for any practice carrying out cosmetic/botox and aesthetic surgery – and it will apply to any EU member states governed by CEN (European Committee for Standardisation). This includes the United Kingdom, as well as other European countries.

However, the UK has been allowed what’s known as an ‘A-deviation’ to the legislative standards – and this has been approved by the CEN in exceptional circumstances.

What will likely happen upon the legislation’s publication is that there will be two separate drafts – one which applies to surgical procedures (such as face-lifts or breast augmentations), and another which applies more specifically to non-surgical procedures (like Botox^® injections).
CQC

If you are providing botox within your Dental Practice, then it will come under CQC remit. If you are providing these services away from your premises, then currently it will not come under the CQC remit.

***A word of warning here, if you are treating hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating) with botox, irrespective of the premises, the CQC may feel it comes under their remit due to the fact that this is because, the condition of hyperhidrosis is classed as a disorder which must be diagnosed and then it can be treated. It is further defined as such by the NHS. This makes it a ‘regulated activity’ with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England (with similar requirements in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland).
Summary

Regulation of botox is nothing to be scared of and in fact should be encouraged to outlaw these back street/beauty clinics proving non surgical facial aesthetics in an unsafe and unethical manner. Regulation will improve the patients experience and result and allow them to trust credible practitioners.

For more information about botox hertfordshire, please call us on 0800 006 2266.