‘SUPERDRUG BOTOX LOOKS SAFE TO ME’

The high-street store has brought in tighter screenings before giving anti-wrinkle injections. But Dr C says we’ve overreacted

When Superdrug started offering W Botox in August – at just one store, with a fully qualified doctor – they got a lot of stick, yet they’d done everything right. They actually do more than most doctors, even setting an age limit of 25, which they don’t have to do.

EXAMINE MOTIVATIONS

Now they are putting in even tighter rules after being criticised for not screening well enough for things like body dysmorphia. They’re bringing in an hour-long full and extensive consultation with anyone who wants to have Botox, to examine their motivations. That falls into line with the General Medical Council’s guidelines.

CHECK THE FACTS

The very first person through the door for Superdrug Botox was turned down. The doctor assessed them and decided they weren’t a suitable candidate. That’s a great sign, but it wasn’t reported. Nurses specialising in aesthetic medicine will undertake the consultations, which sounds good to me. People question the price of £99, because we always say not to have cosmetic procedures on the cheap, but this isn’t a dodgy back alley clinic. Superdrug can make it affordable because they buy in bulk and they’re not running an expensive private clinic. It’s medically negligent to give Botox to anybody with body dysmorphia, so you do need to screen patients to find out what their expectations are. Are they depressed? Are they in an abusive relationship, being made to believe they’re ugly or not good enough and hoping that Botox will fix that?

MANAGE LIMITATIONS

Expectations are important too, because Botox won’t reverse the entire ageing process. It can only paralyse the muscles you use frequently, stopping the skin from forming lines. It can’t stop eyelids sagging, for example. A doctor should explain what Botox can and can’t do. When it’s administered safely by trained professionals, there shouldn’t be any complications. Nobody bats an eyelid at pharmacies giving flu jabs and HPV vaccines, so why should Botox be any different? There have been no reports of problems since it started, which suggests their screening process works. I’d like them to sign up with Save Face, who inspect all clinics to check they’re safe, but otherwise, I think this is a judgemental storm in a teacup.