In light of England's 2021 prohibition on cosmetic Botox and lip fillers for those under 18, campaigners have pointed out that young individuals are now venturing to Wales, where no such restriction exists.
The group Save Face, which maintains a roster of credentialed practitioners across the UK, disclosed that they've received information on under-18s journeying to Wales, seemingly to circumvent the English law.
Youth Under Pressure
Ruby David, an 18-year-old from Bridgend, expressed her desire for lip fillers, attributing this wish to pressures exerted by platforms like social media. However, it was her parents' apprehensions that have so far deterred her. Despite her keenness, Ruby is in favor of legislation in Wales that safeguards the youth from potentially regrettable decisions. Reflecting on her younger self, she shared with Wales Live, "At 15 or 16, I was nonchalant, thinking 'you only live once'. But with age, you weigh outcomes and potential repercussions more carefully."
Ashton Collins, the director at Save Face, voiced concerns regarding the rising popularity of such treatments among the youth, hinting at a looming "crisis." Having previously collaborated with MP Laura Trott to institute the law in England, Collins considers it logical for Wales to implement similar regulations. Highlighting the inherent risks of these procedures, she emphasized the necessity of an age constraint to prevent youngsters from confronting unwanted complications. She revealed that since the enactment of the law in England, Save Face has received calls about under-18s who've "literally just crossed the border and come to Wales and had these treatments done." She warned, "What we're witnessing is merely the tip of the iceberg."
Industry Professionals Weigh In
Save Face further relayed concerning reports from parents, including one from Hereford who mentioned her 18-year-old daughter's trip to Wales for the treatment and another from Bristol who discovered her 16-year-old had lip fillers done in Wales without any age verification. This Bristol mother recalled, "When I contacted the practitioner to express my discontent, she abruptly disconnected the call."
BBC Wales Live carried out an investigative effort by reaching out to ten Welsh clinics to understand their stance on treating a 17-year-old. Shockingly, no clinic inquired about age before proposing an appointment. Of these, seven declined the service upon learning the patient's age, two were indecisive, and one agreed if accompanied by a parent.
Sophie Riddell, a pharmacist prescriber operating at clinics in south Wales, expressed her reservations about the industry, terming it "out of control." Though she steadfastly refrains from booking anyone below 21, Riddell feels "powerless" in preventing teenagers from seeking alternatives. While she hasn't directly been approached by under-18s from England, she's heard about it from younger clients. Criticizing the lax approach, Riddell remarked, "I feel like the Welsh government isn't adequately prioritizing patients' safety in this industry."
In response, the Welsh government stated that Botox is categorized as a prescription-only medication, and it's the onus of the certified prescriber to ensure safe and proper administration. They acknowledged the present regulatory discrepancy in Wales regarding these procedures and pledged to delve deeper into this pressing matter.
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