Shocking undercover investigation exposes the Botox
doctors shamelessly selling jabs to 16-year-olds
across the UK
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Doctors charge up to £170 for the controversial anti-ageing treatment.
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Teenagers believe the jabs will prevent wrinkles developing in later life
but are warned using Botox at an early age could damage facial
muscles.
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1 in 6 beauty clinics surveyed would consider treating those aged 16-17.
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Doctor boasts of prescription: 'Probably the easiest money I ever make'
Girls as young as 16 are being offered unnecessary and potentially disfiguring Botox
injections at clinics all over Britain, a Mail on Sunday investigation has found.Unscrupulous
doctors – charging up to £170 for the controversial anti-ageing treatment – are shamelessly
cashing in on an unfounded belief among teenagers that the jabs will prevent wrinkles
developing in later life.
Despite warnings that using Botox at an early age could damage facial muscles, undercover
reporters discovered one in six beauty clinics we surveyed were happy to consider treating
teenagers aged just 16 and 17 – most responsible practitioners rarely treat patients under 30.
Our investigators secretly filmed doctors and nurses at clinics preparing to inject Botox
following consultations in which the teenagers spoke of fears they would develop ‘worry
lines’ as they grew older.
One doctor was filmed boasting, ‘It’s probably the easiest money I ever make,’ after writing a
prescription for the drug. Another cosmetics doctor, based in Harley Street, admitted treating
a 17-year-old was ‘a bit tricky’ and even spoke of her ethical concerns. But she said she
would go ahead with the procedure anyway.
Last night, Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter promised action to protect young people.
He said: ‘There is far too much pressure on young people to change the way they look when
we should be encouraging them to live healthy lives and be happy with their own bodies.
Treating under-18s with Botox for purely cosmetic reasons is completely unacceptable both
morally and ethically. I know healthcare regulators have similar concerns and will want to
take action to protect young people.’
Botox is a toxin that temporarily paralyses muscles, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Some of Britain’s leading experts on the drug said they were horrified that doctors were
prepared to inject 16 and 17-year-olds.Dr Darren McKeown, a prominent cosmetics doctor,
said giving teenagers Botox treatments could cause facial muscles to waste away.
‘One of the long-term complications with Botox is something called muscle atrophy,’ he
said. If you do not use a muscle it shrinks and thins out. In a younger person, using Botox
regularly can create a slightly skeletonised appearance.’