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AMM 145: Dangerous Counterfeit Botox Plagues Scotland’s Beauty Industry
July 21, 2024
In this episode, the podcast delves into the rising concerns surrounding Scotland’s beauty industry, where an influx of unlicensed and counterfeit Botox and fillers is putting consumers at serious risk. Highlighting a black market sourced from South Korea and China, the episode uncovers the health dangers, including infections and severe medical complications, posed by unregulated products and untrained practitioners. With insights from industry professionals and enforcement officials, listeners will learn about the urgent need for stricter regulations and the critical steps to ensure safe aesthetic treatments.
Quick Takes
- Criminals creating a black market for unlicensed and counterfeit Botox and fillers in Scotland
- Untrained practitioners and counterfeit products leading to serious health issues like blindness and infections
- Calls for stricter regulations in Scotland to ensure safety in the beauty industry
Episode Transcript
It’s Monday, 2024-07-21. An alarming new trend is emerging in Scotland’s £400 million beauty industry. Criminals have infiltrated the scene, creating a black market for unlicensed and counterfeit Botox and fillers, primarily from South Korea and China. Low regulation has turned social media into a marketplace for these dangerous products, which can cause serious health issues like blindness, disfigurement, or even deadly insulin overdoses in supposed weight-loss injections.
Untrained practitioners and counterfeit products aren’t just causing cosmetic complications; they pose a significant risk for spreading infections like hepatitis and HIV. Reusing vials on multiple clients exacerbates these risks.
Legitimate practitioners are both fearful and frustrated. They are facing intimidation for speaking out against these practices. One licensed practitioner in Edinburgh received threats after voicing her concerns, underscoring how serious the situation has become.
The problem isn’t just limited to unauthorized procedures. During a raid two months ago in Glasgow, a substantial haul of illegal dermal fillers and Botox was seized. Andy Morling, Deputy Director of Criminal Enforcement at the MHRA, highlighted that these unregulated products are dangerous and can lead to severe health issues.
Hamish Dobbie from the Scottish Medical Aesthetics Safety Group has called for stricter regulations. England banned the use of injectables for those under 18 in 2016, but Scotland hasn’t followed suit. Dobbie stresses that without comprehensive regulation, the risks remain high for people seeking these treatments.
Today’s takeaway: If you’re considering aesthetic treatments, always verify your practitioner’s credentials and ensure they use licensed products. Stay safe and informed.
