Medics 'scaremongering' to influence aesthetics review, says Babtac

Babtac (British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology) has accused medical associations  of "scaremongering" by feeding biased misinformation to the media during the critical stages of the government review into cosmetic procedures.

The outcome of the review, which covers procedures such as botox and fillers as well as cosmetic surgery, is due to be announced in March and could have an impact on who is legally allowed to carry out such treatments.

This week, national papers and news sites including the BBC have covered statements from doctor-led associations, including the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS), expressing concern that beauty therapists can legally carry out botox and filler injections.

New Babtac chair Carolyne Cross said: “The medical community should be focusing on the positive synergy that is emerging for all professions to work with each other and create change.

She added: "The need for the creation of a standardised learning framework amongst dynamic trained professionals administering cosmetic intervention treatments is upon us but certain organisations like Treatments You Can Trust (TYCT), The RCS and the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) seem intent on stirring up the media and scaremongering public opinion just when this much needed impartial and non profession specific government review is about to take place.”

Commenting on the medical associations' continued use of beauty therapists as the lead example of people likely to endanger consumers by administering injectables, Cross added: “Questionable practice, rogue traders and poor training, harming vulnerable consumers can arise from all professional sectors. Babtac supports a standardised national regulatory and auditable, approved qualification endorsed by a national accredited platform, fulfilling both aesthetic and the necessary clinical and pharmaceutical procedures.”

She added: “Babtac welcomes the timely NHS Medical Director’s review in March as an opportunity to establish a standardised regulatory framework for cosmetic injectables to stamp out malpractice by inadequately trained individuals (medically trained or otherwise); to raise quality standards; and to provide people who undergo cosmetic procedures with the assurance of safety so they can make informed decisions. These will be achieved by providing standardised training pathways covering clinical and aesthetic matters in tandem with all professions.”

The association argued that Sir Bruce Keogh’s imminent government review should be a platform where this subject will be fairly tackled with the appropriate representation without the medical community resorting to last minute public scare tactics.

The debate between medics and the beauty industry has been ongoing. Many beauty professionals told Professional Beauty back in September that they were angry that doctors have been given more of a voice than beauty professionals on the Government's review panel and in the consumer press.