The spikes in demand for unregulated and often unsafe cosmetic treatments, from fillers and anti-wrinkle injections to liposuction and even implants, have been well reported, with some organisations recording complaints from people as young as teenagers.
Adverse outcomes can be incredibly serious, and the issue isn’t going away, with reports of burst lips, misplaced filler, nerve damage, infections and even very severe impacts, including blindness, kidney failure and heart attacks.
Meyer Clinic, an established team of healthcare, aesthetic, and well-being practitioners and specialists, has spoken out about these real-world harms to health. This is part of a combined effort by leading voices in the sector to raise awareness about the risks of influencer-led beauty trends and to help those keen to protect the health and well-being of teens and young adults.
Understanding the Pressures Beauty Standards and Trends Place on Young People
We do not underestimate the enormous pressure countless younger adults and teens feel in the modern world.
They are surrounded by images of 'perfect' bodies and faces, exposed to an unimaginable amount of media and content online, and, with a rise in influencers and celebrities reviving the impossible-to-achieve beauty standards that, for a short time, many thought were a thing of the past, the challenge seems to be worsening.
It is essential to highlight the strain this environment puts on the mental well-being and self-esteem of young people—and we know that it is all too easy to put reports of botched injectables and fillers down to a lack of education or complacency about how dangerous unneeded treatments can be.
The issues aren’t just that young people are looking for therapies like preventative anti-wrinkle injections to avoid fine lines developing or that body ideals are subject to ever-shifting trends that nobody could hope to keep up with.
They are that legitimate, accredited and seasoned professionals simply would not perform a treatment on a person for whom it was unnecessary or for somebody at too young an age to be a viable candidate for a specific therapy. That means those desperate for enhancements, injectables and other interventions are looking elsewhere.
The Real Risks of Unnecessary Cosmetic and Aesthetic Interventions
The outcome, sadly, means that a larger proportion of younger people are taking enormous risks with their health. For some, this is due to overusing fillers or injectables far beyond the safe usage limitations. For others, it is because they are booking treatments with unqualified, inexperienced beauticians or opting for cheap and low-quality treatments with no adherence to clinical safety standards.
While there is a significant lack of regulation to verify that a beauty therapist or aesthetic practitioner holds the necessary skill to administer anti-wrinkle injections or fillers, we believe that improving knowledge about the sometimes irreversible side effects is the best way to communicate the reality—that beauty at any cost is not worth paying for.
Why Experienced Aesthetic Practitioners Perform Treatments on a Case-by-Case Basis
Although a proportion of people impacted by substandard aesthetic treatments tend to be teenage girls and young women, it is worth clarifying that all genders and ages can be affected. Without the right advice, any unneeded treatment can hold risks, even if it is performed carefully.
As specialists in 360-degree health, well-being, and beauty, we always request a consultation that helps us map and assess a client's facial characteristics and structure and provide bespoke advice on whether or not a non-surgical aesthetic treatment would be right for them.
Without this depth of insight and guidance, consumers may fall into the trap of relying on information via social media and assume that they can replicate an aesthetic or look they have seen online by having the exact same treatment.
Performed incorrectly, at the wrong time with substandard equipment, in a non-sanitary environment, or with poor-quality materials, that treatment could have disastrous outcomes.
Proposals to Reform and Regulate the UK Beauty and Aesthetics Industry
Unfortunately, the problem has reached a level where the Department of Health and Social Care launched a consultation in 2023, following record-high complaints about botched procedures. While further progress is yet to be seen, the consultation invited views from contributors and businesses about how to improve the safety of non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
Proposals include the introduction of a new licensing initiative, but several thousand complaints are still reported a year, of which two-thirds relate to dermal filler and a quarter to anti-ageing injections.
Reputable professionals appreciate the interest and curiosity about the ever-growing range of therapies and treatments available, but our duty as professionals is to act in the interest of our clients. For some, treatment may be unsuitable due to the nature of their skin concerns or because sensitivities and intolerances could make an adverse reaction more likely.
In these cases, the right strategy could be as simple as tweaking their lifestyle, reviewing their nutrition, examining hydration, and avoiding excess sun exposure. It could also involve using high-quality, reliable skincare to address issues like redness, acne, and dull skin—which the best-quality injectables would be unlikely to solve.
Advice From the West Sussex Holistic Healthcare and Beauty Specialists
As always, we recommend seeking guidance from accomplished, knowledgeable and qualified professionals.
Here at Meyer Clinic, we often speak with new clients who have a specific concern or aspiration they wish to achieve. Resorting to ordering products online, having injectables administered by an unregistered practitioner, or perceiving fillers and other enhancements as a throwaway treatment is never wise.
If, for example, you have some specific issues such as redness and pigmentation, irritation and acne, or early fine lines, there are very likely safe, gentle and risk-free therapies and solutions that are completely suited to you, from advanced skincare to light therapies and facials.
Should you or a family member be considering any form of invasive treatment, it is vital you only move forward after speaking with an experienced practitioner. Our role is to safeguard your natural beauty and recommend treatments or skincare that will prove genuinely beneficial without putting your appearance, long-term health, or well-being at risk.
Read more about Meyer Clinic - Chichester Private Health Clinic, Meyer Clinic, Among First in UK to Adopt Aura 3D Imaging
About Meyer Clinic
Meyer Clinic is a private health, well-being and aesthetics clinic in Chichester, helping our patients lead empowered lives by ensuring we take a 360-degree full-body approach to health & wellness.
******
Source Company – https://www.meyerclinic.co.uk
Published by: Steve OBrien