Bury beauty businesses warned about ban on Botox injections to under-18s

Beauty businesses and those administering cosmetic treatments in Bury have been warned about giving Botox or other filler injections to a person under 18.

Trading standards officers in the borough are also informing young people and their parents that it is now illegal for any such treatments, including lip fillers, to be given to non-adults.

The move comes amid increased concerns that younger children are attracted to risky procedures in search of the ‘perfect look’.

Officers have written to all practitioners in the borough informing them of the recent change in the law, and advising them to carry out thorough identification and age checks before carrying out treatment.

A parent or guardian cannot give permission for a person under the age of 18 to have these treatments, and it is also against the law to book an appointment for anyone under 18.

The only exceptions will be for those under 18 where treatment has been approved by a doctor.

A Bury trading standards spokesperson said: “This new law will safeguard children in our borough from the potential health risks of botulinum toxins and cosmetic fillers.

“Until now the industry has not been properly regulated and young adult consumers have been turning to Botox and fillers in search of the perfect look.

“This age restriction brings this practice into line with other body modifications which carry health risks such as tattooing, sun bed use and teeth whitening.”

Government estimates show that up to 41,000 Botox-style procedures were carried out on under-18s in England last year.

Before the recent legislation came into force in England earlier this month, under-18s were able to have Botox-style procedures and dermal fillers with no checks on their age.

Botulinum toxins are medicines injected into the skin to smooth lines and wrinkles.

There are several trade names used for cosmetic treatments made with botulinum toxin, the most common of which is Botox.

The law also applies to cosmetic fillers, which are are gel-like substances commonly injected into the lips or face to add volume and plump the injected area.

In the UK, there are more than 100 such brands on the market.

In terms of enforcement of the new law in the borough, both the police and Bury trading standards authorities have powers to enforce the offence.