Sarah's Health Notes: Safer Botox plus why you need to keep drinking….
There’s been a recent surge of worry about the risks of Botox. On 14th January, the Government Science, Innovation & Technology Select Committee listened to evidence on the potential harms of cosmetic products, starting with a woman, herself a beauty therapist, who had experienced appalling side effects from Botox injected by a non-medically qualified practitioner. The product used was so-called ‘fake Botox’, which is unlicensed, often obtained on the black market and not regulated by the UK MHRA or the US FDA.
One legal company defines it as follows: ‘ “Fake Botox” refers to products that are either counterfeit, which are imitations of genuine Botox imported illegally and not licensed for use in the UK, or mishandled Botox products, which are genuine Botox injections that have been stored, transported or administered incorrectly.’
There’ve been numerous other horror stories of fillers including Botox causing harm in different ways. Not only the use of unlicensed products but also non-medically qualified practitioners injecting in the wrong place.
I asked our longtime colleague and friend Alice Hart-Davis, founder of The Tweakments Guide and our go to expert on these matters, for her advice to pass on to readers. Alice says:
‘If you’re considering Botox or any injectable toxin, the single most important thing is who you go to: remember that the aesthetic sector in the UK is still not regulated by law, so there are thousands of cowboy injectors, who shouldn’t be handling toxin, which is a prescription only medicine in the UK. Shocking but true.
‘Choose a responsible, ethical practitioner with a medical background – a doctor, nurse, dentist or dermatologist – not a beautician or someone without clinical training. A medical professional is accountable: they’re registered with a regulator such as the GMC or NMC, work to professional standards, and can recognise and manage complications.
‘They will also be using one of the small number of genuine, licensed toxins approved for use in the UK – such as Botox, Bocouture (Xeomin), Azzalure (Dysport), Nuceiva, Letybo or Alluzience – rather than unlicensed imports or counterfeit products. These fake or unlicensed products are where the real danger lies. Last summer, multiple women were hospitalised with botulism after being injected with an unlicensed toxin by a non-medical practitioner.’
If in doubt, use a trusted directory – there are hundreds of properly qualified practitioners listed on The Tweakments Guide.
And now for something different…
Please don’t forget to keep hydrated; it’s one of the health messages that never changes and, honestly, it applies to everything from colds and flu, constipation and concentration, to high blood pressure (dehydration is one of the biggest problems with people suffering hypertension, I’m told by pharmacist Shabir Daya).
Some two thirds of our body is made up of watery fluid, which needs topping up. Remember water is vital for all our functions. Every cell, tissue and organ needs water to work properly.
We tend to think of upping our fluid intake in the warm summer days but it’s just as important now. No surprise really, considering the effect of cold and wind outside and air-drying heating indoors.
So…. sip, sip, sip water; yes, I know it’s boring but try flavouring with mint, cucumber, ginger, lemon juice… And in this cold weather, herbal or spice teas are warming, delicious and hydrating.
And remember that your skin will thank you for every drop you take plus, of course, suitable skincare. Recent research in the UK by bestselling Japanese brand Hada Labo found that almost two thirds of women reported their skin feeling more dry and sensitive, and looking duller in the winter months.
So a good skincare routine is essential. No rocket science here, though, just cleanse, hydrate and moisturise, every day twice a day. And for hydration, nothing beats hyaluronic acid (HA), which is a staple of Hada Labo’s very good value range.
