Buying cosmetic fillers on the web can give you more than a virus

Surgeons Warn - If Injected Incorrectly Could Cause Disfigurement, Stroke

03 August 2009 (Last updated: 26 Mar 2019 13:45)

 

London, UK- 1 August 2009- The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (www.baaps.org.uk), the not-for-profit organisation established for the advancement of education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit, today urged consumers not to buy 'DIY' injectible treatments from the Internet. A number of dermal fillers are being sold directly to the public through websites, and to demonstrate how dangerously easy it is, BAAPS President Nigel Mercer purchased one himself online, and later received an unmarked syringe in the post.

Nigel Mercer, President of the BAAPS and consultant plastic surgeon, says;

"The public must understand that injecting fillers requires an expert knowledge of facial anatomy and a degree of dexterity that cannot be done by just anyone. A filler injected into the wrong part of the face can lead to lumps, facial disfigurement, or even cause a stroke."

Dermal fillers are injectible substances commonly used to target wrinkles and smooth or 'rejuvenate' the skin. There are dozens of these on the market, a number of which are advertised online as available for the public to purchase. The BAAPS is also concerned over the actual content of these delivered syringes, which could contain unproven and unconventional substances.

Nigel adds;

"These so-called 'DIY' treatments are extremely dangerous not just because of who is injecting them and how, but also because of what is being injected. None of these websites are regulated and there is no proof that you will get the actual products you're expecting."

In the US, cosmetic fillers are treated as prescription medicines and therefore only a handful of them have Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance. In the UK, dermal fillers are treated as a medical 'device' requiring only a CE marking and in a recent survey, 96% of BAAPS members stated that the government should adopt a system in which dermal fillers are treated as medicines.

For information on cosmetic procedures or to find any BAAPS members around the UK, please visit www.baaps.org.uk. To follow us on Twitter, please visit www.twitter.com/BAAPSMedia.

ENDS

The BAAPS (www.baaps.org.uk), based at the Royal College of Surgeons, is a not-for-profit organisation, established for the advancement of education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit. Members undergo thorough background screening before they can join. Information about specific procedures and surgeons’ contact details can be found on the website, or by contacting their office at 020 7430 1840. Further materials can be posted to members of the public seeking specialised information. BAAPS is also on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BAAPSMedia   and Facebook: www.facebook.com/BritishAssociationofAestheticPlasticSurgeons

For all media enquiries, please contact pr@baaps.org.uk

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