£612m a year wasted on Cosmetic Treatments

Recent research from the manufacturer of the wrinkle-reducing injection Allergan and the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology has found that as many as 29% of patients are unsatisfied with the results they achieve from their cosmetic procedures. The Houses of Parliament’s Office of Science & Technology also recently reported that in 2015 the UK Aesthetic Market was worth £2.1 billion. By combining the results of these reports it has been estimated that up to £612m a year is wasted on cosmetic treatments.

These shocking findings confirm anecdotal reports Brigstock Skin and Laser Centre practitioners regularly receive from patients who have undergone unsuccessful treatments at rival clinics before coming to the Brigstock Centre. These findings were the main reason the Centre introduced its results and satisfaction guarantee.

With the emergence of unregulated clinics it has been found that almost a third of patients undergoing laser hair removal are unsatisfied with their results. The results support recent press reports of a cosmetic crisis waiting to happen.

Up until November 2010, the use of aesthetic lasers was regulated by the medical watchdog; The Care Quality Commission (CQC). Clinics are now no longer required to register with the CGC and this has to lead to a proliferation of unregulated clinics usually operating out of beauty salons.

In addition to laser treatments, dermal fillers are proving to be a growing cause for concern. Recent newspapers reports of 15-year-olds being offered wrinkle-reducing injections and dermal fillers have only heightened these concerns. There are however not so surprising when you consider that dermal fillers are as closely regulated as toothbrushes and ballpoint pens.

The Department of Health’s recent Review of the Regulation of Cosmetic Interventions found that “Dermal fillers are a particular cause for concern as anyone can set themselves up as a practitioner, with no requirement for knowledge, training or previous experience”. The report also found that, in their view, dermal fillers were a crisis waiting to happen. The combined effect of this is a situation where those undertaking aesthetic treatments can be exposed to significant risks and very little protection if the procedures don’t go to plan. The NHS medical director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, who led the independent review, said: “The most striking thing is that anybody, anywhere, anytime can give a filler to anybody else and that is bizarre”.

Clearly these findings are a real cause for concern and are particularly concerning when we at Brigstock Skin and Laser Centre considered the numbers we see at our clinic who have wasted significant amounts of money on ineffective treatments before coming to us. There are however a number of simple ways you can avoid wasting your money in this way. First of all always seek out a medical clinic registered with the Care Quality Commission, staffed with doctors and clinically trained technicians. Also check out the testimonials not only on the clinic’s website but also on Google and Facebook where the clinic is not able to cherry-pick the best one. Finally, always ask if the clinic offers any guarantees. Brigstock Skin and Laser Centre is extremely proud to offer its patients results and satisfaction guarantee where we’ll treat you for free if you are not 100% satisfied and cannot see any results from your treatment therapies. Not many clinics are prepared to offer guarantees like this but Brigstock Skin and Laser feels it is only fair that you know your money will not be wasted whatever investment you choose for your skin.

New laws have been promised following Sir Bruce Keogh’s review, but it is likely to be some time before these take effect. In the meantime, if you’re considering any aesthetic treatments it’s worth considering only medical clinics with Care Quality Commission registration, clinics with excellent testimonials from existing patients and those offering results guarantees just like Brigstock Skin and Laser Centre.

If you have any questions about treatments, prices or anything else, please get in touch with us by clicking here or calling 020 8683 6730.