Ageing Gracefully

Are we freaking out about ageing? We can use anti-ageing creams, serums, balms,  moisturisers, wrinkle smoothers, and dermal fillers to combat the signs of ageing. Has our acceptance of the ageing process been dropped in favour of actively slowing down or even reversing the signs of ageing? Some of us will want to use non-surgical procedures to try to improve our looks as we age. However, there is concern amongst the medical fraternity that these procedures are dangerous for us.

As a result of pressure from many surgeons following the PIP implant scandal the government set up a committee to review the regulation in the cosmetic medical procedures sector which exposed issues with product quality, after care and record keeping. The report also highlighted the use of misleading advertising, inappropriate marketing and unsafe practices right across the sector.

The investigation was headed by Professor Sir Bruce Keogh KBE; the finding of which has been submitted to Secretary of State for Health and a copy can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/126879/Call-for-evidence-cosmetic-procedures.pdf

Non-surgical interventions such as: dermal fillers, Botox® or the use of laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) were investigated by the committee. They discovered that non-surgical interventions are almost entirely unregulated. One area that was brought to the attention of the team is in the use of dermal fillers which are ‘a particular cause for concern as anyone can set themselves up as a practitioner, with no requirement for knowledge, training or previous experience. Nor are there sufficient checks in place with regard to product quality – most dermal fillers have no more controls than a bottle of floor cleaner. There has been explosive growth in this market, driven by a combination of high demand and high profits in an era when all other commercial income is stalling.’

The findings of the committee on non-surgical interventions are:

• Fillers need to be prescription-only
• All practitioners of non-surgical interventions should be registered and have appropriate accredited qualifications
• Written evidence of acceptance of treatment should be recorded
• Advertising will be restricted with specific guidelines
• All practitioners should have adequate professional indemnity

For you, the consumer it means that if you want non-surgical dermal fillers you must make sure the practitioner is fully trained and can prove this to you. They should have proper professional indemnity, and you should sign to accept the treatment. The advertising that the practice does should not be coercive or give you money incentives.

In order to be sure about what you want to achieve using a non-surgical intervention you should be allowed enough time to consider the implications and safety aspects of the treatment you are undertaking.  Even to the point of uniting these procedures with some mental health assistance. Combining the use of evaluation of your psychological state will prepare you for any intervention that you wish to have.