Woman urges safer cosmetic procedures in Northern Ireland

Bekki Burns is warning young people against getting cheap cosmetic procedures, like lip fillers. She had a bad experience after opting for a low-cost deal at a local clinic. Following the injection, she suffered severe pain and complications, including vascular erosion. Six years later, Bekki is still dealing with the consequences and is calling for stricter regulations in Northern Ireland’s aesthetics industry. She wants better oversight on who can give these injections. Last December, all political parties in Northern Ireland agreed on the need for tighter regulations. Currently, anyone can carry out non-surgical cosmetic procedures in Northern Ireland without mandatory licenses. This raises concerns about the qualifications of those providing these services, especially since more teenagers are seeking procedures like lip fillers. There are no laws to protect minors. Tanya Khan, a trained nurse in the aesthetics field, emphasizes the need for better qualifications for practitioners. She believes only medically-trained professionals should administer these treatments to ensure safety. Dr. Chris Hoo, a plastic surgeon, supports the call for professional training. He sees many patients with complications from poorly administered procedures and believes that rigorous training is essential for injectors. Last year, the Save Face campaign group received 136 complaints in Northern Ireland regarding injectable complications. In response to rising concerns, some lawmakers have proposed measures to limit Botox use among teenagers. Despite these issues, the Northern Ireland Department of Health has no current plans for mandatory licensing. They stated that any future regulation would depend on available resources. Local politicians are urging the health minister to take action and implement necessary changes to protect the public.