MPs requested today that lip fillers be made prescription-only as part of a crackdown on the UK’s unregulated cosmetics business.
Influencers should also be required to include disclaimer logos on manipulated images so that social media viewers who are vulnerable are aware that the images are not natural.
These photos, generated with various filters, have been criticized for creating body dysphoria among British citizens who are unhappy with their appearance.
The Health and Social Care Committee stated that the government is not doing enough to comprehend the scope of the problems associated with dissatisfaction with body image.
In addition, a licensing framework was proposed to end the ‘conveyor belt’ of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, such as lip-fillers and Botox.
This should include training requirements for service providers and a “cooling off” interval between consent and the procedure.
Under present regulations, an aesthetic practitioner in the United Kingdom is not required to possess any qualifications. It means that anyone who completes a training course will be permitted to administer dermal filler treatments.
Each year, thousands of Britons, predominantly young women, receive fillers. They can cost approximately £200.
A chemical, typically hyaluronic acid, is injected into the face to fill in wrinkles, enlarge the lips and cheekbones, or make them appear more defined.
In recent years, as women seek to appear like celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian, its popularity has skyrocketed, causing experts to worry that Britons are falling victim to an uncontrolled cosmetic aesthetic industry.
Former health secretary and committee chairman Jeremy Hunt stated, “The government must act immediately to end the situation in which anyone, whatever of training or qualifications, can perform non-surgical cosmetic operations.
“We’ve heard of some traumatic situations, including a “conveyor belt” approach in which no questions were asked, botched treatments, and dirty facilities.
‘Throughout the course of our investigation, it became abundantly evident that certain groups are more susceptible to abuse in this expanding, largely unregulated business.
“We require an immediate timeline for a licensing regime with patient safety at its core to mitigate these dangers.
We hope that ministers will heed our recommendations and initiate the process of establishing the safety standards that all patients have the right to expect.
In addition, the research recommends for more be done to combat obesity and prevent young children from having body image concerns.
MPs requested the government to prohibit multi-buy bargains for high-calorie, high-sodium, and high-sugar foods and beverages.
In the meanwhile, the government should evaluate the increasing usage of anabolic steroids for cosmetic objectives, according to the group. Members of Congress advocated a safety campaign for individuals in danger.
Mr. Hunt told, “There are a lot of backstreet cowboys where you can get non-surgical cosmetic operations to alter your face and nose shape.”
We believe there ought to be a cooling-off period before such a service can be rendered.
And in particular, whoever is administering the procedure should be required to investigate your whole past, including your mental health history, and discuss it with you, as this may have nothing to do with your appearance and everything to do with mental health difficulties.
“The proper course of action is to examine the underlying source of these issues, not to alter your appearance.”
In some ways, access is too easy for individuals who are unhappy or nervous about their body image, he added.
‘They may have these operations performed on the spur of the moment, without sufficient deliberation, only to discover that it did not resolve the underlying issue.
We currently believe that approximately 60 percent of 17- to 19-year-olds may have a probable eating issue; this represents a tremendous increase over the past two decades.
‘And social media appears to be one of the causes; research is required so that we can fully comprehend this.’
“However, at the very least, when commercial companies use Photoshop to make people thinner than they would be in real life, we believe that this should be labeled; we believe that people viewing these images should be aware that this is not a genuine person.”
“And this is part of the way that we can assist people to utilize social media with better knowledge, (to know) some of the tricks of the trade if you will, and therefore stop this destructive focus on our bodies, which affects so many young people, especially young women.
I believe the social media ecosystem needs to be revamped in this regard, especially when it impacts young people.
Victoria Brownlie, chief policy officer at the British Beauty Council, urged the government to implement the committee’s recommendations, stating, ‘We want a beauty business that is a beacon for body positivity and has world-leading care standards.
While the government has promised to regulate non-surgical cosmetic procedures, present party dynamics make any policy changes uncertain. Timelines are uncertain.’
Tom Quinn, head of external affairs for the eating disorder charity Beat, stated, “We applaud the Health and Social Care Committee’s proposal to explicitly label digitally altered photos.”
While exposure to unethical advertising or social media imagery is not the main cause of eating disorders, the pressure to adhere to a specific body shape or size can have a devastating effect on self-esteem and well-being, especially in young people.
A government official stated, “We are aware of the catastrophic effects body image disorders can have on a person’s mental and physical health, and we will continue to support those impacted.”
“As part of our continuous efforts, we will implement a nationwide licensing system to assist avoid exploitation, increase safety, and guarantee that individuals make educated and safe decisions regarding non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
“This will build on the existing support we have put in place, including expanding mental health services — including for those with body dysmorphic disorder — with an additional £2.3 billion per year by 2024 and changing the law prohibiting under-18s from obtaining Botox and filler treatments for cosmetic purposes.”
What hazards are associated with lip fillers?
In the United Kingdom, the beauty business is unregulated, with clinics not obliged to register or fulfill basic hygiene or safety regulations.
However, ministers are prepared to regulate it, and measures are already making their way through parliament.
According to the NHS, the dangers of receiving fillers depend on whether the treatment was performed appropriately and the type of filler utilized.
Complicated conditions include:
- Contamination.
- A dimpled look beneath the skin.
- Filler that has migrated away from the intended treatment site.
- Scarring.
Blood vessel obstruction in the face, can result in tissue death or blindness.
