New laws over usage of Botox
BEAUTICIANS and health businesses in East Staffordshire are being reminded about new laws on the use of Botox and fillers on under18s.
The new controls, which came into effect in October, safeguard children from the potential health risks of the treatments, and Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards service is working with businesses to ensure they are aware of them.
The rules make it illegal to administer Botox or a cosmetic filler treatment to a person under 18, unless needed for clinical reasons and approved by a doctor.
Victoria Wilson, cabinet member with responsibility for Trading Standards at Staffordshire County Council said: “Our Trading Standards officers are now working with health and beauty businesses to make sure they are aware of the changes and are complying with the new law.
“Many businesses already choose not to perform these procedures on young people but because the law did not expressly prohibit it, it was possible for a person under the age of 18 to undergo these procedures. Under the new law, this is no longer the case.”
The new age restriction has been set at 18 years as it aligns with age restrictions in England on other comparable body modifications which carry health risks such as tattooing and sunbed use.
It is not enough for the practitioner to decide that the young person looks to be over 18 – they must take careful steps and check documents to make sure they are certain the person is 18 or over to avoid breaking the law.
For further advice, visit www.gov. uk/government/publications/ botulinum-toxin-and-cosmeticfillers-for-under-18s/botulinumtoxin-and-cosmetic-fillers-forunder-18s