Dr Leah Totton winning The Apprentice last week has highlighted the importance of qualifications, training and experience for cosmetic treatments practitioners.
Yet while Dr Totton herself has qualified as a Doctor, there has been much criticism in the industry that she still must lack the experience required to make a good botox and fillers physician; so even though she ‘ticks the box’ for medical credentials, there have been many comments from leading figures in the non-surgical skin procedures business that say being a qualified medical professional with some training in aesthetic treatments isn’t enough.
A press release issued by BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) expressed its concerns in stark terms:
“The main professional bodies for plastic surgery and dermatology today jointly and unequivocally condemn BBC Apprentice winner Dr. Leah Totton’s ability to set up and run a chain of outlets offering injectable facial treatments such as Botox and fillers.”
Mr Graeme Perks, President of the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) added:
“At a time when all professionals are collaborating with Sir Bruce Keogh to improve cosmetic surgery practice and protect the vulnerable, it is a concern that a very junior doctor can make claims to be an authority in this field and provide the direction and clinical judgement that only comes with experience. The results of BBC Apprentice provide yet another demonstration of why Parliament must act fast.”
Earlier this year, a committee led by Sir Bruce Keogh issued their final report and recommendations on industry guidelines, practices and patient experiences.
– requiring fillers to be injected only by trained and qualified staff
– making fillers a prescription-only medicine (as botox)
– classing fillers as a medical device
There is certainly need for protecting patient welfare and this is an area that Manchester-based SkinViva would support.
They have just launched a new training school for cosmetic treatments such as facial fillers and botox in order to offer high quality training which will improve the skills and raise standards for those administering the treatments.
Dr Tim Pearce explained:
“Our business is built on excellent aesthetic results matched with high standards of patient care and our new training school is being established to share our knowledge, skills and techniques with other medical professionals – doctors, dentists and nurses. Above all, we are emphasising safety, teaching delegates techniques that minimise the risk of any side effects while maximising the visual result. We also include vital training on managing any problems which although very rare, can be serious and need appropriate intervention. This is a crucial element of training that unbelievably, many training courses do not even cover.”
SkinViva offer a range of popular cosmetic skin treatments including botox, dermal fillers, dermaroller micro-needling and top brand skin creams.
All treatments are carried out by qualified Clinicians and the team is led by fully qualified doctor and Clinical Director, Dr Tim Pearce MB ChB BSc (Hons) MRCGP.
For further information or to arrange a confidential consultation, please call 0161 865 1141, email contact@skinviva.com.
85+ clinics across the North West in a choice of convenient locations including Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and home town Manchester.
