Cosmetic clinics across the UK have reopened, but many people who opted for DIY procedures during lockdown are now seeking corrective work. The UK's register of accredited practitioners reports a rise in patients needing treatment for botched fillers.
One 22-year-old, whose name has been changed, told Radio 1 Newsbeat she got lip fillers from someone recommended by a friend with a strong Instagram presence. The procedure was painful, and within two days her lips turned black. The practitioner panicked and offered no advice.
Essex Sanctuary, a registered clinic, dissolved the filler after lockdown eased. The woman later discovered the injector had no medical background. In the UK, inserting fillers requires no medical training, meaning unregulated practitioners cannot be struck off by a statutory regulator.
Ashton Collins from Save Face says this lack of accountability means practitioners 'will take risks'. Qualified practitioners like dentist Dr MJ Rowland-Warmann have seen a surge in patients needing help. Pre-pandemic, she saw one or two cases a week; during lockdown, that rose to two or three daily.
Steph, in her 30s, also went to a friend's recommendation. She developed blisters and the filler moved to her nose. Dr Rowland-Warmann says the filler was injected in the wrong part of the lip, causing a blood vessel blockage that could have led to lip loss.
Collins believes treatments have become 'trivialised', with younger women viewing fillers as akin to getting nails done. Last year, Save Face received over 2,000 patient complaints, nearly 80% from women aged 18 to 30, many of whom found practitioners via social media.
