Daisyl, Thankyou for answering the questions I had but mostly for doing so in a professional manner, Point taken on the differences

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AVOID AVOID AVOID.

A reputable company will only offer botox training to qualified medical professionals. Also, NOONE will insure a non-medical professional.

You're sister is taking a HUGE risk here.

There is a woman just up the road from me who has her own salon and does botox, she only does nails though and botox as its a nail studio, so shes doing botox on people when she obviously doesnt have proper knowledge of the skin or any medical background!

If this is the case - then she is working illegally. God help her if any complications ever arise (and her clients). I reiterate, botox is a PRESCRIPTION ONLY MEDICINE! Botox and its administration simply has to be taken seriously. It is a medical procedure. I would question where she is getting her supplies from. If reported, she would end up in court or worse. She will also not have insurance. AVOID

The biggest concern with this would be that a Beauty Therapist would be unable to purchase the Botox (well that was my salon's understanding. We have a visiting Specialist Doctor come in to administer Botox) From what our Dr has stated, NO beauty therapist or even a nurse should be able to purchase the Botox. And neither should they. However, we are in Australia so the regulations maybe more relaxed where you are??! Scary!!

In the UK, only a doctor or nurse prescriber can prescribe and buy it. However, a suitably trained nurse can inject it.

All of our customers are initially referred to our doctor who will determine suitability. The actual treatment is then done by a nurse.

To be honest, a nurse is always going to be better at injecting than a doctor who never normally do injections !

I think this is where it is absolutely essential that the industry gets regulated. Unfortunatlely the title 'Beautician' or 'beauty therapist' still conjours up the idea that we are a bit thick and is the job that the academically challanged gets pushed into.

I think BT should be able to inject if they are well trained - much safer than therapists being on the fringes. I do however think a Doctor should prescribe though.

I find it odd that I can beome a foot health practitioner with doing home learn theory and 2 weeks practical experience and then apply for a one day local anaesthetic course but us as therapists who have trained full time are still in this grey area. I had to get approval from my insurance company for using topical anaesthetic for my red vein clients but it was not without first seeking expert advice from their panel. Is it not time we give credit to suitably qualified and professional therapists and therefore the status they deserve?

A beauty therapist is not suitable qualified - this does not in any way refer to bt's as being thick - just not suitably qualified - how can they be. They are not medically qualified - simple as that! This displays a total and complete lack of understanding about injectable procedures. I am horrified that anyone would think it acceptable for anyone without adequate medical qualifications could pick up a needle and syringe and perform these medical procedures.

I am a nurse prescriber, and have years of experience in this field. I worked extremely hard to gain my qualifications and knowledge. I would not wish to extract teeth - not in my remit or qualifications, or would I desire to do nail enhancements - again not in my scope of practice. Tighter regulation cannot come soon enough in this industry, which is hopefully finally going the right way! To suggest it is acceptable for beauty therapists to undertake these procedures is absolutely ridiculous. I have to undertake a thorough medical assessment, including a comprehensive history and pharmacological assessment and diagnosis (in my capacity as a prescriber) - no beauty therapist is in any way qualified to make that assessment - no argument!

Yes exactly - I do not think BT should prescribe - I did say that already. However I do not see the problem with suitably trained therapists being able to deliver the treatment. There are one day courses to do venepuncture, local anaesthesia (as I mentioned) and perform cannulation. I do not see why it cannot be suitable for those with the right qualifications and background to be able to do it in the right setting.

Its against the law! We are talking about prescription medicines. No medical practitioner in their right mind would allow non medical professionals to administer injectable prescription medication! There is no way I would be pepared to risk my registration. I would be accountable. Its about managing the risks. Beauty therapists simply do not have the 'right qualifications'. What would you do in the event of complications - how would you manage those risks? You couldn't. In no way is that meant to be detrimental - you are just not qualified! Trust me. The only 'right' training would be to go out and get a medical degree. That is why the law, is the law! X

If it against the law why are companys like Collagenics training therapists to do fillers etc. It has been on a TV documentary so obviously cannot be illegal????

By the way I am talking about giving BT the 'right' qualifications. As far as I am aware general nurse training does not qualify people to use lasers, give Botox and perform any aesthetic treatments. These presumably are 'learnt' post graduation. Why is it so unthinkable that BT can learn skills post graduation to also carry out these treatments? BT have infinitely more experience with the skin during training than a nurse does and if extra life saving skills are needed so be it.

I hope that one day there is a degree in Aesthetics where year 1 will be the equiv to NVQ2 - year 2 equiv to NVQ3 and a final year where advanced skills such as these can be acquired so ending the grey areas.

I hope to do Microsclerotherapy in the future by attending a course run by a really well qualified surgeon - and yes they do train therapists like me - I checked with the British Association of Sclerotherapists and it is not illegal for me to administer the sclerosing agent. I am not sure if therapists are trained correctly and professional why there is a problem......

ps. I know a therapist who trains nurses and doctors in facial fillers etc and has been experienced for 20 years - if it is illegal how on earth does she get insurance?

You cannot compare a Beauty therapist to a nurse! Please!

And there is a type of Degree for asthetics. It is a Beauty Therapies Management Foundation Degree which includes Laser treatments and advanced microdermabrasion , but quite rightly as beauty therapists are not medicly trained, fillers.

Of course they are very different! - I am highlighting the amount of aesthetic training that they undergo whilst doing their training.....very little. Regarding degrees - I meant a full degree with appropriate registration as I feel it is beoming an area that needs the regulation.

Essentia, you are getting the wrong end of the stick - IN REGARD TO BOTULINUM TOXIN (BOTOX) - IT IS ILLEGAL! - being a POM! There really is no argument. In regards to dermal fillers - this is a massively unregulated area, which hopefully will become stricter - steps are under way to make dermal fillers PRESCRIPTION ONLY - as in America (and rightly so)! We, in this industry, are aware of a Nurse who is training beauty therapists to inject dermal fillers - under investigation! Anyone with any credibility in this industry is appauled, trust me. This practice will stop. Not to mention insurance - simply will not be covered, despite your comments. In a court of law the therapist wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

You are correct - general nurses do not train to do laser treatments and medical aesthetic procedures, this is post grad. However, courses take into consideration our previous medical training and experience - WE ARE ALREADY MEDICALLY QUALIFIED. I totally disagree in your comments re bt undertaking more in depth 'skin' training. Simply not true - particularly nurses specialising in dermatology. We provide MEDICAL grade treatments - these should not be under-estimated, and as such apply medical skills and knowledge. Which is why I regularly prescribe prescription topicals, peels etc etc.

Problems arise out of complications - some very serious - and therefore require medical intervention which you are simply not equipped to provide. I am sorry you may not agree or like it - I reiterate it is not about one being 'better' than the other - but the qualifications do matter - particularly when dealing with the public, they have a right to be protected. It is not personal in any way. You stick to your profession, one of which I am sure you are highly skilled and respected, however, please be very very careful when blurring the lines between beauty therapies and MEDICAL treatments (huge differences) X