Have you been trying to find a trusted clinic or doctor for a top-up on Botox or fillers recently?

It’s been revealed that more than two third of those who are administering cosmetic injections in the UK are not qualified doctors, new research has found.

The survey by UCL is the first to analyse who is providing cosmetic injectable services, including botulinum toxin (Botox) and dermal fillers, in the country.

It comes as experts suggest that without knowing the professional backgrounds of practitioners, the industry cannot be properly regulated.

@courtneyhavill_np What is filler? Let me know what questions you have! #WelcomeBack #ChiliDogYumPlz #filler #botox #lip #lipfiller ♬ Sunny Day - Ted Fresco

UCL research finds ‘majority’ of practitioners offering cosmetic injections are ‘not doctors’

To find out about the background qualifications, training and experience levels of those who were administering treatments, researchers from UCL looked at 3,000 websites.

They identified 1,224 independent clinics and 3,667 practitioners who were delivering cosmetic injections.

Of the professions represented, 32% were doctors, 13% were nurses, 24% were dentists and 8% were dental nurses.

According to the findings, of the 1,163 doctors identified, 41% were on the specialist register and 19% were on the GP register.

Dr David Zargaran, UCL Plastic Surgery, an author of the study, said: “There are well-documented, yet to-date unaddressed challenges in the UK cosmetic injectables market.

@effectdoctors 3 things you need to know before having anti-wrinkle injections 💉 We provide the world favourite "Three Areas” anti-wrinkle treatment, the perfect solution for a more youthful appearance. We target frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet. Get in contact to find out more and book in! #botoxlondon #antiwrinkleinjectionslondon #aestheticslondonuk #aestheticcliniclondon #botoxinjections💉 ♬ FEEL THE GROOVE - Queens Road, Fabian Graetz

“Without knowledge of the professional backgrounds of practitioners, we cannot adequately regulate the industry.

“Our research highlights that the majority of practitioners are not doctors and include other healthcare professionals, as well as non-healthcare professionals such as beauticians.

“The range of backgrounds opens a broader question relating to competence and consent."

He added: “One of the key challenges facing the government’s licensing scheme is to ensure that practitioners granted a licence possess the skills and experience required to safely administer their treatment to minimise risks to patients.

“It is important for patients to be able to feel comfortable and confident that the person administering their treatment is competent in the procedure as a fundamental foundation of informed consent.

“This research provides a unique insight into the sector to help inform regulators and patients, and work towards a safer and more transparent cosmetic injectables industry in the UK.”

The study, published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, found that amongst the 27 specialities represented on the specialist register, plastic surgery was the largest group (37%) followed by dermatology (18%).

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Have you struggled to trust someone to inject a cosmetic product?Have you struggled to trust someone to inject a cosmetic product? (Image: Getty)

It also discovered that the UK injectables market is predicted to reach a value of £11.7 billion by 2026, but to date is effectively unregulated.

However, the UK government is preparing to update policy around injectables, and a public consultation on the industry is due to begin in August 2023.

Recommendations are expected to inform amendments to the Medical Act in 2024.

Professor Julie Davies, UCL Global Business School for Health, a co-author of the study, said: “The UK cosmetic injectables industry has expanded rapidly in recent years. This has happened largely without scrutiny or oversight.

“Our findings should be a wake-up call for legislators to implement effective regulation and professional standards to safeguard patients from complications.

“Although the risks associated with injections are often mild and temporary, the physical complications can be permanent and debilitating.

“There are also serious psychological, emotional, and financial consequences for patients when procedures go wrong.”