Facial surgeons support bill making it illegal to give Botox or dermal fillers to under-18s

The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS) has welcomed the private members’ bill that would make it illegal to give Botox or dermal fillers to anyone under 18 for cosmetic purposes. The Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Bill 2019-21 brought by Laura Trott MP as a private members’ bill had its second reading in the House of Commons last week.

Caroline Mills, BAOMS lead on facial aesthetic/cosmetic surgery and consultant maxillofacial surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital, said, “BAOMS is pleased that health minister Edward Argar has given his backing to this bill, and for his department’s commitment to explore increased oversight of aesthetic practitioners. We want this to be the first step towards wider regulation across the industry to protect anyone in the UK undertaking non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

Caroline said, “It is essential that everyone fully understands the risks they are taking when they consider a cosmetic procedure such as a dermal filler or Botox and consult a fully trained medical practitioner. This is why we have consistently called for regulation in the UK to protect patients properly.”