Botox a definite no-no for teens
New law brought in to protect young seeking image ideals
The desire for an ‘ Instagram Face‘ with such features as full lips and high cheekbones has resulted in many young people wanting to replicate the look with cosmetic enhancements. This quest for uniform features among younger and younger people is cause for concern, and a new law now in effect will mean that under-18s are no longer able to have Botox or dermal lip fillers for cosmetic reasons in England.
The Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children)
Act means it will be illegal for practitioners to administer the products to or book an appointment for those under 18, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.
Failure to comply could result in a criminal prosecution and an unlimited fine.
Under 18s who have a clinical need for treatments, however, can still have those approved by a medical practitioner.
With an estimated 41,000 Botox-style treatments carried out on patients under the age of 18 in England in the last year, the aim of this new law is to safeguard young people from unintended harm, and follows years of efforts to regulate the nonsurgical cosmetic industry.
Research has revealed that around a third of Brits aged 18 to 24 say that, sadly, using photo filters has warped their own perception of what they look like, to the point where it shocks them when they see images of their unfiltered faces.
Cosmetic surgeon Dr Olivier Amar, CMO of Uvence, approves of the law.
He said: “Before the age of 18, our faces are undergoing an accelerated period of transformation. It is therefore an impossible task to make permanent changes to faces that haven’t yet matured fully.
“With facial growth and bone structure very much evolving within this period, it is absolutely true that those under the age of 18 should refrain from cosmetic surgery until they have gone through these key stages of development.
“While the optimum age for different surgeries vary, Botox is recommended for patients in their 30s, as wrinkles do not generally become permanent until this age.“
He said that since the pandemic in particular, the number of young people seeking treatment under the age of 18 is “concerning” and added: “Young people can be influenced by Instagram and other social media platforms - especially when it comes to models and influencers who may publicly discuss their own treatments.”
Furthermore, he said: “It is concerning to hear how many patients still consider going to unqualified practitioners for procedures, as not only can this lead to botched cosmetic results, but it can also have serious implications on health and wellbeing.
“There are many responsibilities that practitioners must uphold, and regulating the industry is something that myself and my fellow surgeons consider of utmost importance, including the protection of young people who are seeking treatment prematurely.”