Aesthetic nurses to take stand on botulinum toxin being administered by beauticians

An emergency motion condemning the injection of botulinum toxin and dermal fillers by non-health professionals, such as beauty therapists and hairdressers, is to be proposed at the 6th National Aesthetic Nursing Conference in Liverpool tomorrow (Friday 20 January).

For the first time, aesthetic nurses will debate a motion that they have ‘no confidence in the present situation in the UK, whereby non-health groups are providing facial cosmetic injectable medicines, commonly referred to as "Botox" and "fillers".

Cheryl Barton, JAN consultant editor, aesthetic nurse and managing director of Aesthetika, Sheffield, who will be proposing the motion said, ‘This practice doesn't happen in any other country in Europe, US, Canada or Australia and until there is evidence that the training is adequate and the public are safe, we would suggest that those considering these types of treatments first consult with a doctor, dentist or registered nurse. We have no confidence in the training supervision mentoring offered by non-health groups. 

‘We do not agree that Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration of graduate-trained nurses can be compared in any way with a voluntary scheme for untrained or barely trained beauticians and urge that those comparisons cease."

She also urged that prescribers cease providing prescriptions for beauticians.

Natasha Devan, editor of the Journal of Aesthetic Nursing (JAN), which prganises the conference, added, "The UK is falling seriously short of international standards here, taking dangerous shortcuts with people’s health by allowing Botox and fillers to be given by those without comprehensive knowledge of anatomy, consent and complications management."