But Gerard Lambe, a top plastic surgeon and spokesman for the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, warned that the “serious” procedures can have horrific consequences if performed incorrectly.
He said: “While Superdrug may be hiring medically trained nurses, it is crucial members of the public do not treat having Botox and dermal fillings as casual beauty treatments.
“Administering an injection of any kind is a very serious procedure. All kinds of risks can arise, from infection, to incorrectly applied needle placement over delicate facial muscles, which can lead to paralysis.
“Just this week a woman was permanently blinded in one eye in Australia from a dermal filler injection at a clinic where there was no doctor physically present.”
Superdrug has said the treatments, available to over-25s, will be administered by nurses “trained to the highest standard” and a qualified aesthetics nurse will decide whether they are eligible.
But consultant plastic surgeon Rajiv Grover said: “Just because botox is being done on the high street, the public should not think it is like a beauty treatment with benefits and also significant risks.”
Dr Tijion Esho, resident doctor on E4’s Body Fixers TV series, added: “It [aesthetics] will need to be truly medical and have a stable long-standing team of experts delivering a high standard of treatments within a clinical setting.”
Superdrug prices start at £99 for a standard forehead or crow’s feet Botox procedure which can cost as much as £300 elsewhere.
If successful, the chain will roll out the service nationwide.
If successful, the chain will roll out the service nationwide.
Chris Newson, of Superdrug, said: “We’re listening to what people are telling us they would like,which is the reassurance that if they choose to have aesthetic treatments it will be administered by highly qualified nurse practitioners in a private consultation room.”
Dr Pixie McKenna, Superdrug’s health and wellbeing ambassador, backed the move, saying: “We have seen an increase in the number of people claiming to be ‘expert’ practitioners in the eld. I have seen and heard many horror stories.”
