SNEAKY clinics have been using a legal loophole to offer customers botox jabs during lockdown. Beauty salons are considered non-essential and were closed in March to limit the spread of coronavirus. But some have reopened, claiming they are offering a “medical or health service” and are therefore exempt from the rules. The move was welcomed […]
SNEAKY clinics have been using a legal loophole to offer customers botox jabs during lockdown.
Beauty salons are considered non-essential and were closed in March to limit the spread of coronavirus.
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But some have reopened, claiming they are offering a “medical or health service” and are therefore exempt from the rules.
The move was welcomed by ageing Brits who are desperate to iron out their wrinkles.
But MPs on the All Party Parliamentary Group for Beauty, Aesthetics and Wellbeing warn it poses a “serious health and safety risk”.
They have now written to business minister Kwasi Kwarteng urging him to shut them down immediately.
The letter says: “We remain extremely concerned about reports of botox and other aesthetics treatments taking place during lockdown, particularly by medical practitioners exploiting a loophole in the guidance that medical services can reopen, while the Government has made clear that the beauty industry should remain closed at this stage.
“Carrying out aesthetics treatments in lockdown clearly goes against Government advice and this guidance must urgently be updated to end all ambiguity.
“This not only presents a serious public health and safety risk to practitioners and customers, but also undermines responsible operators who rightfully remain closed, and risks harming consumer confidence as the beauty industry looks to reopen.”
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy says it is for Trading Standards to enforce the rules.
Botox is a prescription-only medicine, which can only be prescribed after an in-person medical check.
There is a very clear difference between a medical need and an aesthetic desire. Treatments that are not essential to improving health should not be undertaken at this time.
Carolyn Harris
Labour MP Carolyn Harris, who co-chairs the group, told The Sun: “There is a very clear difference between a medical need and an aesthetic desire.
“Treatments that are not essential to improving health should not be undertaken at this time.
“It is the government’s duty to provide clear, consistent and comprehensive guidance to protect people.”
One desperate Facebook user wrote: “I would drive two hours for botox.”
Botox injections relax the muscles in the face to smooth out lines and wrinkles, such as crow’s feet and frown lines.
Each treatment usually lasts three or four months and costs from £100 to £350 depending on the clinic and area being treated.
