13 mins
Hot off the press
ESPRAS calls for national legislation and specialist training standard for aesthetic surgery
The European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (ESPRAS) has issued a call to action to combat the rise in under-trained ‘beauty surgeons’ who are claimed to be putting patients in jeopardy. The society, which represents all national associations in plastic surgery across Europe, is campaigning for national legislation that provides clear regulation of the aesthetic surgery industry Europe-wide, to protect patients from individuals practising aesthetic surgery without being certified plastic surgeons, or even properly trained in surgery at all.
While ESPRAS ensures that all its member plastic surgeons have advanced multi-year training in plastic surgery, in most European countries there is no law to stop medical doctors without specialisation calling themselves “aesthetic surgeons” or “beauty doctors”. Shockingly, even paramedics can take on these titles, with just a basic knowledge acquired over weekend courses or short plastic surgery attachments.
This is far below the required standard for board-certified surgeons, who, when ESPRAS surveyed 23 European countries, demonstrated multi-year specialisation, work rotations in ICU and emergency care, research and teaching placements, a proven catalogue of operations and a final exam. The call emphasises the need for the public to be made aware of the dangers of opting for a practitioner who is not trained to this standard.
“Individuals who claim to be aesthetic surgeons, beauty surgeons, or beauty doctors without proper training as certified plastic surgeons may compromise patient safety,” says consultant plastic surgeon and president of ESPRAS Riccardo Giunta. “The financial allure of both aesthetic surgery and non-surgical aesthetics attracts many individuals, and the public is generally uninformed about the standard of care in training.”
“Patients may believe that a professional with these titles has the appropriate qualifications to ensure safety, but this may not be the case,” continues Giunta. “Furthermore, although surgeons of other specialities have surgical training, they have not been trained in plastic surgery or have only limited plastic surgical training in their specific region of the body.”
MHRA reports rise in botulism cases in Europe
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has alerted the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) to a rise in botulism cases in Europe, a number of which were linked to two hospitals in Turkey.
The JCCP has advised the need for practitioners to be vigilant regarding members of the public who have recently undergone medical procedures in Turkey using botulinum toxin, and who may exhibit symptoms of botulism.
On March 7 this year, the National IHR Focal Point (NFP) for Germany notified the World Health Organisation (WHO) of five cases of iatrogenic botulism in individuals who underwent medical procedures with the injection of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A).
As of March 17, a total of 71 cases have been reported in four countries in the European region: 53 cases in Turkey (linked to two hospitals), 16 in Germany, one in Austria, and one in Switzerland. All cases are adults, and the majority are middle-aged women.
Investigations carried out by the Turkish authorities reported that licensed BoNT products were administered for a different purpose other than for which the products were approved (off-label use). The relevant departments of both hospitals had their activities suspended on March 1 and the products used for the treatment were seized and taken for examination and evaluation.
Botulism outbreaks are rare, but outbreaks require rapid recognition to identify the source of the disease, distinguish between types of outbreaks (natural, accidental, or potentially deliberate), prevent additional cases, and effectively administer treatment to affected patients. Successful treatment depends significantly on early diagnosis.
In the reported cases, the clinical presentation ranged from mild to severe. Clinical signs of BoNT intoxication were observed, including fatigue, headache, blurred and/or double vision, dizziness, ptosis, dysphagia, dyspnea, neck weakness, generalised muscle weakness, and swollen tongue. Several cases were hospitalised, some cases were treated with botulinum antitoxin, and at least five cases were admitted to intensive care units. There are no reported deaths and no new symptomatic cases have been reported since March 8, 2023.
Industry veteran calls for better mole and skin cancer early detection training in clinics
With the recent announcement from the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) that at least 40% of British people experienced sunburn during 2022’s heatwave, industry veteran Anna McCartney is calling for all clinics to update their skin surveillance training procedures.
The Élan Laser Clinic Group chief executive, who is an ardent advocate for sun awareness, also emphasised the importance of Mole and Skin Cancer Early Detection (MASCED) training for spotting signs of skin cancer early.
The call to action is particularly pertinent as McCartney has first-hand experience of how such practices can save lives. She was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, the UK’s second most common form of skin cancer, in 2021.
“Skincare education for therapists and patients is essential in the fight against potentially fatal skin conditions such as skin cancer, and something that the entire team at Élan Laser Clinics is completely passionate about,” reveals McCartney. “Our chosen careers leave us in a privileged position to educate our patients and clients about potential changes to their skin, that they may not otherwise have noticed and that allows them to seek further advice from their healthcare professionals.”
Élan is supporting BAD’s Sun Awareness campaign and the Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity by ensuring that all skincare professionals at Élan Laser Clinics undertake MASCED accreditation skin awareness training. “This is not used as a diagnostic tool, but rather to equip our professionals with skin surveillance skills that could help them to notice subtle changes to their client’s skin and suspicious lesions that clients should seek medical attention for,” continues McCartney. “By providing this staff training, we are empowering our professionals to become powerful advocates in the fight against the UK’s most common cancer and potentially save lives.
“SPF education is vital, and sunbeds should be banned as far as I am concerned,” McCartney concludes. “They have no place in the world of beauty and cause more damage than a tan is ever worth. The damage was done when education wasn’t as commonplace or comprehensive as it is today, but it was avoidable, and I’m on a mission to make sure it stays that way.”
Should aesthetic doctors be more aware of sustainable packaging?
New research suggests that, while sustainability concerns are growing, most aesthetic doctors have not considered more environmental-friendly packaging for their clinics. A new survey by aesthetic business coach and mentor Ron Myers, in partnership with Aesthetic Medicine, suggests that UK-based aesthetic clinic owners could be doing more to address the environmental impact of their in-clinic skincare packaging.
Although 95% of 136 respondents agreed that it would be great if all packaging was recyclable, only 22% had contacted their suppliers for more sustainable packaging, and of those, 13% had had no reply. That’s despite 74% of clinic owners believing that sustainability and environmental concerns would be important in marketing their business in the next five years.
The written responses to the survey were also interesting, with many comments highlighting the need for greater product packaging sustainability, despite the lack of actual action. One respondent said, “Sustainability and the environment are extremely important going forward,” while others noted that overly large outer boxes and plastic wrap were particular problem areas. Another standout was the comment, “There is no reason why sustainable packaging can’t be pretty.”
Perhaps understandably, the appearance of products for retail that line a clinic’s walls is seen as a priority. However, products used during in-clinic treatments, which patients do not tend to see, do offer an opportunity to prioritise sustainable packaging design. This option could not only help improve an aesthetic clinic’s environmental impact but may also result in cost savings and waste reduction. According to the new research, it also seems like a very workable option. More than 78% of clinic owners did not consider the external appearance of packaging (excluding retail skincare) important. What’s more, over 80% of the respondents felt that smaller plastic and cardboard packaging would help with storage in their clinics.
Clinic owners are therefore encouraged to analyse the packaging of the products they use in-clinic to see whether sustainability improvements can be made. The survey creators also urged aesthetic businesses to share these results with their suppliers, conduct their own surveys to contribute more data and advocate for sustainable packaging practices.
For the full survey results, visit: linkedin.com/in/ronmyersbusinesscoach.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Creo Clinic expands into gender-affirmative treatments for transgender patients
London-based plastic surgery clinic, Creo Clinic has announced it is expanding its offering to include gender-affirmative treatments for transgender patients, with a focus on body treatments. Such procedures are used often in combination with each other to help a patient’s physical appearance match the gender identity they feel inside. The move makes it one of only a few clinics in the UK to provide these specialised services.
Male demand for collagen supplements powering category growth
Collagen is a fast-growing global category that is forecast to hit around £18.3 billion by 2032 – a growth that, according to reports, is being supercharged by demand for collagen products for men.
Precedence Research has revealed that searches for ‘collagen benefits for men’ have increased 350% in the last 12 months in the UK.
US survey suggests that doctor recommendations drive demand for Ozempic
Research involving 1,024 Americans and 92 medical practitioners has examined the diabetes drugs’ controversial use as a weight-loss injection, with results suggesting that, although medical providers may not be frequently prescribing the drug, they could be fuelling interest in weight-loss injections more so than social media.
The survey by Tebra found that approaching half (42%) of medical providers have had patients without diabetes ask for an Ozempic prescription, with 36% revealing they had faced backlash for not prescribing it. In total, only 18% had prescribed the drug for weight loss.
Evolus announces expansion into US dermal filler market
Aesthetic neurotoxin company Evolus has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to be the exclusive US distributor of a line of five new dermal fillers, made by French company Symatese. The dermal fillers are currently in late-stage development.
The addition of a filler line expands the company’s total addressable US market by 70%, by adding a £1.3 billion ($1.6 billion) US filler market prospect to the existing £1.8 billion ($2.3 billion) aesthetic neurotoxin market opportunity provided by Evolus’ flagship product, Jeuveau (prabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs). Both the filler and aesthetic neurotoxin markets are expected to nearly double by 2028. Symatese is a privately held French company that designs and manufactures regenerative medical solutions, with vast expertise in hyaluronic acid and injection systems. It is well-known for the development of the latest generation of Restylane products in the United States based on XpresHAn Technology/OBT.
Imperial Bioscience awarded grant for microneedle technology
Biopharmaceutical company Imperial Bioscience Ltd has been awarded a substantial grant under the Biomedical Catalyst 2023 Programme by Innovate UK. The grant award, totalling £0.5 million, will propel the further development of Imperial Bioscience’s microneedle patch technology (MPT).
MPT has already made significant advancements in the cosmetic industry through the Luna Microcare product line. The technology is also said to hold great promise for a wide range of applications in the pharmaceutical sector, especially in the development of combination products. Specifically, the grant enables Imperial Bioscience to apply its cutting edge technology to the development of medicinal products. The project’s primary goal is to complete the pre-clinical phase and transition into the clinical stage, focusing on addressing skin concerns such as acne management. Innovate UK invests in innovation projects that aim to tackle significant health or healthcare challenges. It is a highly competitive funding program dedicated to assisting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their research and development endeavours.
ASA rules against celebrity-endorsed toxin advertising
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has delivered a verdict against an aesthetic clinic for disseminating promotional material related to a celebrity-endorsed botulinum toxin procedure. In June 2022, Carl Woods, a car dealer, and former fiancé of reality star Katie Price, shared an Instagram video story where he was shown receiving a botulinum toxin injection on his forehead by a practitioner based in Essex, with a positive caption.
A complaint was raised regarding whether these posts qualified as advertisements. The ASA, in addition to contesting the issue of advertisement identification, also took issue with the fact that a prescription-only medicine (POM) was being advertised to the public and that a celebrity was being used for this purpose. The clinic involved acknowledged that advertising botulinum toxin, a POM, is prohibited, but they believed that referring to it as an “antiwrinkle injection” would not constitute a violation. They have agreed to modify their terminology moving forward. Woods clarified that he was not promoting an aesthetic treatment but simply sharing his personal experience on social media. He confirmed that the posts had been removed. The ASA ruled that such advertisements must not reappear, and the clinic is prohibited from promoting POMs to the public in the future, including through the use of celebrities or reality TV stars.
NEWS In BRIEF
SiAB announces three 2023 events
Building on the successful launch last year of SiAB, the Success in Aesthetic Business team has announced three new in-person events in London, Manchester, and Birmingham. The events will have lectures for the first part of the day, followed by opportunities for delegates to ask questions in the afternoon. There will also be a chance to network with fellow delegates and speakers and catering will be provided. To register, visit siab.co.uk.
AES recruits new national sales manager
AES has announced the appointment of Eddie Campbell Adams as national sales manager UK and Ireland. Campbell Adams has over 20 years of industry experience in international sales, sales team management, direct field sales, marketing planning and communication, specifically within the aesthetics sector.
Aesthetic Medical Partnership launches in the UK
Aesthetic Medical Partnership (AMP), a new distribution company founded by Martyn Roe and Paul Simmonds, has launched in the UK. With more than four decades of experience bringing products to the aesthetics market, AMP aims to work with clinics to help them grow and develop their businesses by creating repeat revenue streams using the latest and most advanced treatments and technologies.
Forming a unique partnership between patient, provider and supplier, AMP will be the exclusive UK distributor of the Jovena RF diatermocontraction and fractional plasma device and EXO|E plant-based exosomes.
Over half of Gen Z don’t know that the sun causes skin damage
New research suggests that the importance of wearing sunscreen daily is still not fully understood and acted upon even within the 16-24 age group. The research, commissioned by skincare brand Skin Proud has found that almost three-fifths (59%) of Gen Z individuals surveyed didn’t know that the sun causes skin damage. Moreover, 64% don’t wear daily SPF, with only 11% ever wearing factor 50 or above. A further 20% said they don’t wear sunscreen as they don’t know enough about it, while others still believe common sunscreen misconceptions. For example, 26% of respondents said that the reason they aren’t wearing SPF is because they do not live in a sunny climate — a common assumption in the UK especially.
AlumierMD wins Best Place to Work award
The awarding body Great Places to Work recognised skincare manufacturer AlumierMD as one of the best in the UK for culture, strategy, and equity.
The awarding body, Great Place to Work identified eight key areas where AlumierMD is said to consistently excel: leadership, HR practices, compensation, benefits, teamwork, employee engagement, workplace, and corporate social responsibility. To read more, AlumierMD’s UK and Irish general manager Kate Hardcastle shares her top tips on how to be an award-winning workplace on page 70.
Lynton ‘Launch Programme’ returns
Lynton has revealed the re-launch of its highly acclaimed ‘Launch Programme’. Geared towards online platforms, it is designed to equip businesses with the necessary tools and knowledge to conduct gold-standard product launches, so entrepreneurs can maximise their return on investment and ensure a successful entry into the market. The 2023 intake for the programme is now open, and interested parties are encouraged to book their spots promptly by emailing info@lynton.co.uk.