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The popularity of treatments such as dermal fillers and Botox is growing rapidly, however there is no legal requirement in the UK for practitioners to meet minimum standards for training or infection control.
North Somerset Council is taking proactive steps to improve safety in the local aesthetics sector. The council’s Food and Commercial Safety team has now included inspections of premises offering cosmetic treatments into their workplan and aims to do one a month, plus responds to all complaints received.
In one recent case, the council issued 22 health and safety prohibition notices to a single practitioner, stopping them from performing certain procedures until they can prove they are doing so safely.
Councillor James Clayton, North Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Safety in the Community, said: “Invasive treatments such as injections and thread lifts can pose serious health risks if not carried out safely. We’ve seen first-hand the risks involved when cosmetic procedures are carried out without the right training or hygiene standards.
“While many practitioners are responsible and well-trained, the current lack of regulation is putting people at risk. If you’re thinking about having any kind of cosmetic procedure, it’s important to take sensible precautions and ask the right questions first.”
For anyone considering an aesthetics procedure, North Somerset Council has produced a helpful checklist of questions. Go to www.n-somerset.gov.uk/cosmetic for the full list to help choose a safe and reputable practitioner.
“Until new UK-wide licensing rules are introduced, we will continue to use existing health and safety laws to intervene and take action where there is an immediate risk to the health of North Somerset’s communities,” added Cllr Clayton.
Anyone worried about the safety or hygiene of a local clinic, salon or individual offering cosmetic procedures should report their concerns to foodandsafety@n-somerset.gov.uk or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).