Report by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) calls for a ban on cosmetic injectables for under 18s

The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) is demanding that the Government make nonsurgical cosmetic treatments, such as botulinum toxin and dermal illers, illegal for those under 18, a move it says is supported by the majority (87%) of the public.

The calls were made in a recent report examining the health risks associated with tatoos, piercings and other treatments that compromise the skin barrier. The public health organisation raised concerns that TV programmes, such as Love Island, were making such treatments more popular with teenagers and warned that cosmetic procedures can cause infections, sepsis, scarring and even blindness, particularly if conducted by untrained or rogue practitioners.

Shirley Cramer, head of the RSPH, has branded the current rules surrounding injectables as “unit for purpose”, adding, “the regulation of providers of these services is markedly diferent across the UK”. Spokesperson Duncan Stephenson commented, “A desire to resort to quick ixes among the selie generation has led to a massive increase in demand for nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, especially lip illers. There is huge pressure on young people to conform to the unrealistic and unatainable ideals they see on Instagram and TV shows like Love Island, but there are no age restrictions on non-surgical procedures. It means any 15-year-old schoolgirl could just walk into a shop and get their lips injected.”

The Irish Government is also considering an age restriction on cosmetic procedures, with Minister for Health Simon Harris calling for a ban on treatments for anyone under 18.