IN A SHED
Beautician operating out of back garden offers treatment Doctor warns he is flouting the law and putting patients at risk
a doctor. Why do you think you need to see a doctor?” She answered: “I’ve never had Botox before so I don’t know. There’s no chance I could be allergic is there? People aren’t allergic to it, are they?”
James said: “I’ve never known anyone to be allergic to it, no. Definitely not. The only time you’d see a doctor before having Botox would be if you went to a specific cosmetic hospital.
“It’s a bit of a rip-off really because you see a consultant, they give you the go-ahead and then you come and see someone like myself in the hospital that would inject you, okay?”
His response contradicts NHS warnings that, though rare, the life-threatening allergic reaction anaphylaxis is among the potential risks of Botox. Other possible complications include drooping of facial features and dissymmetry.
When probed further about potential Unfortunately, Botox has been normalised – it’s popular, with great patient satisfaction.
But it should very much be considered a medical option and should not be trivialised as a “beauty treatment”.
Botox needs to be taken seriously. If you are wanting it, be sure to see a recognised medical practitioner with full qualifications.
If they’re not a prescriber – a doctor, plastic surgeon, dentist, registered pharmacist or nurse prescriber – then you MUST see a doctor first and be assessed.
In a consultation I would always go through a full medical history, making sure you’re fit and well. I’d check you’re not on medications, if you’re allergic to anything and if you’ve had Botox before.
We always make sure patients know what make of Botox they’re having too, because people respond differently to each.
You must also be advised properly before giving consent. The practitioner must go through potential complications. Allergy is rare, but it does exist.
Practitioners need a deep knowledge of anatomy – if complications occur, it’s important they are able to manage them.
Sometimes patients say “I need Botox” when what they actually need may be skin fresheners or dermal fillers, or something more appropriate to a particular problem.
That’s another key conversation – a bona fide practitioner will discuss all options.
My top tip would be to seek out a doctor or surgeon who is a member of BAAPS, or try the British College of Aesthetic Medicine. risks, James said: “There’s always risks for everything. Walking down the high street you’re at risk.
“I can’t say that nothing is gonna happen to you because I don’t know. I can’t give you the guarantee.”
Having prepared the syringe, James presented our reporter with a consent form to sign.
When she told James she did not want to go through with the Botox, he refused to refund her £80 deposit. Instead he offered to arrange a future appointment, saying: “I’m a very honest and genuine person.” Ashton Collins of Save Face was “horrified” by the results of o ur probe. She said: “By offering Botox without requiring his patients to undergo a faceto-face consultation he is seriously compromising patient safety. It also begs the question as to where he is sourcing the medicine.” When confronted by the Sunday Mirror on Friday, James said: “I don’t have to speak to you.” Asked where he got the Botox he replied: “I don’t need to tell you that, do I?” Then he added: “Is there anything I can do for it not to go in the paper?”