Are Cosmetic Fillers Regulated In Australia?

If You’re Thinking of Having Cosmetic Injectable Treatments – Make Sure Your Practitioner is Fully Licensed

  As we age, we start to see the visible signs of aging across our face and neck. This is because of collagen breakdown and the volume loss in some areas of our face. Injectable cosmetic treatments are rapidly becoming a go-to solution for replacing lost volume, and to help restore a more youthful appearance. However, not all administers of cosmetic injectable treatments are qualified. So, are cosmetic fillers regulated in Australia?  It’s important to be thorough when planning to have injectable treatments. You want to ensure you choose a registered practitioner when having these treatments done. Non-surgical enhancements, such as dermal fillers, are becoming increasingly popular in Australia. To provide safe treatment to clients, injectables used in Australia must be regulated under the supervision of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). This has prompted reminders about the associated risks of the cosmetic injection process, and avoiding black-market providers.  

What You Need to Know About Cosmetic Injectables

If you’re looking to reduce facial wrinkles and plump your lips, cosmetic injectables may be the answer you’re looking for. Cosmetic injectables are substances injected to your skin to help alter an aspect of your appearance. These are considered as non-invasive treatments. They are used to replicate the function of the natural collagen forming in the body. This helps to restore volume and hydration to areas of the face and neck. The result is a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles, and can also enhance your existing facial features by adding volume to your cheeks and lips. These substances come in two main types – anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers. Anti-wrinkle injections (commonly known as botulinum toxin type A ‘Botox’), reduce wrinkles by relaxing the facial muscles. On the other hand, dermal fillers are used to plump out parts of the skin. These types of injectables are prescribed only by authorised registered health practitioners.  

Are there risks with having Cosmetic Injectable procedures?

Cosmetic injectables may seem like a simple process. But with any cosmetic procedure, cosmetic injectables also carry risks. The list below shows some of the possible side effects for the two main types of injectables. For Botulinum toxin type A:

• bruises
• eyelids may droop
• pain in the face may be felt
• headache
• weakness in the muscles
• nausea
• blurred vision
• numbness
• redness
• tightness of skin
• swelling at the injection site

For dermal fillers:

• allergic reaction
• bleeding
• bruising
• double vision
• haematoma
• bacterial or viral infection
• inflammatory reactions
• itching
• lumps forming under the skin
• permanent blindness
• permanent disfigurement and scarring
• skin discoloration
• stroke
• swelling and redness at the injection site
• ulceration of the skin of the injection site
• vascular occlusion
• weakness of the muscles of the face

Given these potential complications, it’s important to choose a registered medical practitioner who is trained to safely administer cosmetic injectables.

 

Risks of Undergoing Cosmetic Injections Not Professionally Done

Cosmetic Injectable procedures in Australia require expertise from medical professionals. There is a degree of risk in this process, and when not administered properly, can cause permanent and lasting damage. Having any form of injectable procedure done by an unqualified person carries a greater risk, and can lead to serious complications. When an unregistered person administers the fillers, they’re unlikely to have the necessary experience in how to safely inject areas across the face and neck. The areas of injections may be incorrect, and critical veins and nerves in the skin may be affected. Injecting a filler into the wrong area of the face is more likely to have serious consequences.  

Is your Cosmetic Injectable Practitioner Qualified?

The experience of the practitioner who is administering your cosmetic injectable treatments is important. Also, if you’re dealing with someone who is not professionally qualified (or a clinic that is not properly licensed), there is a higher possibility of counterfeit products being used. These black-market injectable products can pose serious health risks. Although minor effects like swelling, acne, and skin redness are likely to occur, there is a higher risk of more serious side effects and medical issues when using counterfeit products. The best way to avoid counterfeit products being used is to ensure the skin therapy clinic (and it’s nurses) are professionally licensed according to Australian guidelines. Requirements for medical practitioners to be able to prescribe and administer cosmetic injection products are outlined by the Medical Board of Australia. A guideline in prescribing cosmetic fillers was drafted for registered medical practitioners for a safe procedure.  

Can enrolled nurses do cosmetic injectables?

There are some registered nurses who can administer products for cosmetic injection. The organisation Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has issued an authorisation that summarizes the expectations from the nurses working in the field of cosmetic procedures. You can also freely search in the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) website the lists of all persons who are registered with the Medical and Nursing Boards of Australia.

While treatments that involve cosmetic injections have become common in Australia, be cautious of non-licensed and uncertified people practicing illegally.

When dealing with cosmetic injectables, a component of risk in medical measures will always be present. Anyone who performs injectables in Australia must be a qualified nurse or doctor. But, just because someone is a registered nurse, doesn’t mean they’re experienced in administering cosmetic injectables properly. Always make sure your practitioner has specific experience and knowledge in administering cosmetic injectables to the face.  

Promoting a Safe Choice: What to Ask Before Your Cosmetic Filler Treatment

When considering any cosmetic treatments, always attend a consultation before committing to the procedure. This will allow you to make an informed choice if you should proceed with the cosmetic injection treatments. You are entitled to a safe cosmetic procedure. Do not hesitate to ask these questions:  

Who will perform the procedure?

This is to make sure that the person who will perform the injection is either a doctor (or a registered nurse) who is qualified to administer injectables.  

What experience does the practitioner have in Cosmetic Injectable procedures?

Extensive knowledge, training, and experience of facial anatomy is required from the practitioner who will be administering the fillers.  

What are the products that will be used? Are they TGA approved?

To make sure that the products being used are safe and approved, identify the names, and look them up in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods website.  

What risks are associated with cosmetic injectable treatments? Is any care provided by the practitioner afterwards?

Risks and side effects of the procedure are inevitable. It should be explained well to you by your practitioner before having your treatment. Appropriate support and care must also be provided by the practitioner following your treatment. This is needed to check on any potential side effects.  

Where will the cosmetic injectable treatment take place?

Be cautious of home-based beauty services. People who offer cheaper home-based services may be using counterfeit products that have not been approved for supply in Australia.  

What follow-up procedures should be taken after the injection?

Your doctor should be responsible for providing aftercare. There should be written instructions or advice on what to do after the injection, and in the case of unexpected side effects.   After obtaining all the necessary information for you to have an educated decision, your informed consent should be noted by your practitioner before the procedure begins.  

Finding a Qualified Cosmetic Injectable Practitioner Near You

There is no need to worry when you start to see the signs of aging. Cosmetic injectables can provide a solution to that. However, there are always risks associated with any medical procedure. So it is important to be fully informed with your decision before going ahead with your treatment. Make sure to consult a knowledgeable, experienced registered medical practitioner and ask about the whole process. Check the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) website to be certain that the medical practitioner is registered in Australia. If a nurse is authorised by a medical practitioner to administer the injection, check the AHPRA website to ensure they are registered to practice in Australia. Fully inform yourself of the possible side effects of the procedure. Visit the AHPRA or TGA website to check if you are under the supervision of a registered practitioner and the products that will be used are verified in Australia. The regulation of cosmetic fillers in Australia is on hand to help you get a safe cosmetic service.  

References

Administration, T. G. (2019, July 23). Be alert when considering cosmetic injections. Retrieved from Australian Government Department of Health: Therapeutic Goods Administration: https://www.tga.gov.au/media-release/be-alert-when-considering-cosmetic-injections Administration, T. G. (2019, August 22). Cosmetic injections. Retrieved from Australian Government Department of Health: Therapeutic Goods Administration: https://www.tga.gov.au/cosmetic-injections Cosmetic treatments – injectables . (2019, January). Retrieved from BetterHealth Channel: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/cosmetic-treatments-injectables Fact Sheet on Injectables. (2020, February 20). Retrieved from Ahpra and National Boards: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Publications/Cosmetic-surgery-and-procedures/Injectables.aspx