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Beautician convicted for fraudulent Botox treatment

A Scarborough-based beautician has been charged for fraudulent Botox whilst showing fake certificates as evidence of her training.

Jamie Winter, 35, has been prosecuted for 5 fraud offences and as a result will have to serve 150 hours unpaid community service – no prison sentence was imposed.

The case came light to light as one of her female patients suffered an adverse reaction and went to the police to report Winter for maltreatment.

No prosecution could be brought for the alleged assault as there was no evidence that the swelling the woman had suffered was a direct result of the Botox. It did lead to the fraud charges however.

The 5 accounts were for treatments given to 10 female and 2 male patients over a period of 18 months, within the Scarborough area. Winter pleaded guilty to these charges. She offered the Botox at a cut rate, having bought it cheaply online from the US and reportedly undergoing minimal online training. After practising on herself and her friends Winter then started to charge for the service and word quickly spread about her discounted rates.

As there is no regulation surrounding Botox treatments it was not her lack of proper training that was the cause for the conviction but rather the simple fact of producing a false certificate, thereby offering the injections on a fraudulent basis.

What the case highlights is the need for regulation of Botox treatments – in particular, regulation surrounding the Botox training carried out by the practitioner – in order to protect the patient.

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Botox can help athletes overcome vocal chord condition

A relatively common condition for athletes can often be misdiagnosed as asthma, but if detected can be treated easily enough through a combination of treatments including Botox for the vocal chords. Although it can be brought about by stress or anxiety it is also commonly linked to increased physical exertion, hence why athletes can be at increased risk of suffering from it.

It’s believed an estimated 5% of professional athletes suffer from Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion Disorder (PVFMD) which constricts the vocal chords and can impact the ability to breathe. It also causes coughing whilst exercising and because of these symptoms, which are very similar to those caused by asthma, it can often be missed therefore remain untreated.

The two conditions are in fact often linked – 40% of asthma sufferers will also have PVFMD. What will quite regularly happen is the asthma will be detected and treated but the PVFMD won’t be, in which case the athlete will still suffer from its symptoms.

When it is diagnosed correctly treatment will usually consist of multiple solutions. These will likely include vocal chord retraining therapy and also Botox, carried out by various professionals. An ENT specialist with Botox training would be required, as well as a vocal chord therapist and possibly also a sports psychologist who would deal with the impact it has mentally.

Non-athletes who suddenly take up an increased exercise programme can also suffer from the condition.

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Cosmetic Courses – March Round-Up

At Cosmetic Courses we have had an exciting and hectic month, from Foundation and Advanced Botox and Fillers courses to Chemical Peel and Dermaroller, with bespoke one-to-one sessions along the way.

At the beginning of the month we welcomed our delegates for the Foundation course, which is always an interesting course for us – mainly because we get to meet the new delegates for the first time as they are starting out on their aesthetic careers. We enjoy seeing our delegates beginning to learn and flourish in the world of aesthetics, gaining new skills and confidence throughout the day.

Our Advanced course this month allowed us to speak to many of our past Foundation delegates and hear what they have been practising since we last saw them. It’s always rewarding for the team to hear each delegate’s personal stories and what they have achieved before returning to us to further their aesthetic training.

Chemical Peel training is a great course where we see the delegates go from strength to strength in their knowledge of the skin physiology. These sessions cover the in-depth  theory in the morning followed by a fun and interactive practical hands-on session in the afternoon. This time  allows for any questions to be asked and gives each individual the vital reassurance for them to go and perform the chemical peel and medical microdermabrasion on their own clients.

The Dermaroller course was another huge success. Delegates got to learn and practise the treatment as well as learning the critical theory for diagnosing and treating the different skin types and conditions.

Overall March has been a very successful month for both our team and delegates at Cosmetic Courses. Moving forward we aim to continue to teach and support our delegates to the highest standards, ensuring that each individual is ready to progress in the exciting world of aesthetics.

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Johnson & Johnson Botox Rivalry

Giant healthcare and beauty company, Johnson & Johnson, will soon launching Johnson & Johnson Botox that may make a dent in to Allergan’s Botox behemoth.

The firm are looking to gain US approval for their new product next year, which could mean it would be available by 2015 in America and by around 2018 elsewhere in the world. Currently, Allergan make up for 85% of the market, which stands at a sizeable $900 million. The remaining 15% is made up by two small pharmaceutical companies who licence a similar product under a different name.

Johnson & Johnson however are an altogether different prospect, with a huge brand name behind them, not to mention a vast marketing budget. As a result Allergan may be forgiven for worrying that their lion’s share will be cut in to, though analysts believe J&J’s offering would have to offer substantial differences such as longevity, outcome or cost in order to make customers switch allegiances.

Dr Kenneth Beer is a consultant who has worked for both companies, and he comments:

“Allergan has built such a strong brand, people ask for Botox by name. This will be an uphill struggle (for J&J).”

However he also added: “J&J is a company I’d take seriously.”

This announcement means that late-stage trials will have been completed, though the name of the product is yet unknown. It’s understood that J&J will initially be targeting the cosmetic field however their product could also be used for bladder problems, excessive sweating and migraines, as other forms of botulinum toxins already do.

Allergan have so far refused to comment on the matter.

Contact Cosmetic Courses on 01844 390110 if you would like information on any of our Botox training courses. 

 

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Keogh Review receives more industry support

The Keogh Review, a committee that has been set up to look at regulating the medical aesthetics industry to ensure best practice and protection for patients, is receiving support from numerous bodies working within the industry.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has already offered their support and agreement with the Review, insisting the committee findings echo what they want the industry to offer too. This includes their call for proper training for those administering non-invasive procedures, administration by medical professionals only, and tighter regulation on advertising and the ways in which the procedures are sold.

Now two other organisations have lent their support – the Association of Aesthetics, Injectibles and Cosmetic Laser (AAIC) and the Cosmetic, Dermal, Aesthetic, Botulinum and Fillers Inspectorate (cdABFI) – in the belief that the industry should put up a united front.

Discussing their direct involvement in the Keogh Review, AAIC Managing Director, Chris Wade, said:

“We have presented to the Keogh Review and outlined our proposal for a training and recognition model, which would enhance the delivery of high quality, professional non-surgical treatments as well as public confidence in the sector.

“We can see no reason why adequately trained and responsible sector professionals cannot deliver treatments they have been delivering safely for years.”

This view was endorsed by Managing Director of cdABFI, Una Riley, who believes extra regulation will ensure greater consumer trust:

“We want the consumer to be able to make an informed choice and be confident of receiving high-quality treatment from qualified professionals.”

The findings of the Keogh Review are due to be released this month. It was set up to help to inform government policy however Westminster will not be under obligation to instill their recommendations.

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Botox and fillers – why take a refresher course?

It’s important for every practising medical aesthetic professional to undertake training to administer Botox and fillers, though it may be that a refresher course along the way could also prove useful.

How do you know if you could benefit from it? If you have worked in the aesthetics industry but have taken a break from it recently, the chances are that a refresher course will be the right course of action for you.

It may be that you have left the profession for a maternity break, or perhaps moved temporarily to another specialism. In which case it will not only help to brush up on techniques but will be vital in restoring any confidence that may have been lost as a result of absence from the industry.

It can also provide a worthwhile exercise for those who have not had a break from the profession, if not just to compare techniques with others but also learn any newer ideas with regards how to administer such treatments. It may simply provide a fresh way of looking at procedures, or how to get the very best out of them.

Cosmetic Courses offer Botox training and refresher courses to medical professionals, including doctors, dentists and nurses. For more information, contact the team on 01844 390110.

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Nurse in Aesthetics | Working as a nurse and considering a career change?

There is an ongoing discussion within the medical industry right now about who should be able to perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as Botox, chemical peels and fillers. PopularNurses in Aesthetics opinion amongst senior medical staff, as well as industry bodies, is that practitioners should be appropriately qualified medical professionals, Nurses in Aesthetics.

As a result, procedures such as Botox may have to be performed by a doctor, nurse or dentist. Additionally there are calls that such professionals should be qualified in the area they want to practice specifically. Due to this popular way of thinking now may be a good time for nurses to consider branching out in to the cosmetic arena.

Nurses typically make great candidates for practitioners of non-invasive cosmetic procedures. Nursing not only has a nurturing aspect to it, but relies on attention to detail and has a number of transferable skills, for example administering injections. Add to this the increasing strain on NHS nurses with tumultuous working conditions and possible pay and pension changes and a switch to the cosmetic field can be an attractive proposition.

Often such a switch will result in better working conditions, more sociable hours and possibly better pay. Because of these factors it’s possible that such a shift is already starting to happen, with more and more nurses registering for courses in medical aesthetics.

Are you a nurse considering a move into the aesthetics field? Find out more about Botox training course options for nurses.

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Botox and Filler Training: Movements in the News?

Recently in the press, the issue of Botox and Filler training and who can be trained has come to light. Due to legislation only medically trained professionals are able to teach but also learn how to inject Botox and fillers.

At Cosmetic Courses we only offer our training to medical professionals – our delegates being a mixture of Doctors, Dentists and Nurses. Our delegates have to be medically qualified and registered with one of the following: General Medical Council, General Dental Council or Nursing and Midwifery Council. This ensures that our delegates are fully licensed to practise within the UK.

In one case an untrained man has been caught teaching Botox and Fillers to beauty therapists, who cannot legally participate in these courses as they lack the required medical qualifications. The man training the beauty therapists was sentenced to time in prison due to the severity of his actions.

This is unfortunate for those trained by him, as they naturally believed the certificate he provided was authentic and allowed them to practise. However, as any respected  non-surgical training provider will know, beauty therapists are not allowed to perform Botox and Dermal Filler treatments.

Therefore it is essential that at Cosmetic Courses we offer our training to the correct delegates. We are CPD certificated as well as having a working partnership with Hamilton Fraser, our insurance company, to ensure this.

Through training with Cosmetic Courses you get the security that our highly trained professional team are there for continued support, from helping you when you start your new career choice to the finer details that may occur throughout your career.

Furthermore, all our trainers are experienced and registered with the relevant medical governing bodies, so they are fully qualified to teach and perform Botox and Filler treatment in line with the regulations and legislations currently in place in the UK.

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Botox and Dermal Fillers Foundation Training Course – Our Latest Feedback

We’ve collated the results of the feedback for our latest training course – and the results are very encouraging.

On Saturday 7th July, we ran another successful Foundation course in Botulinum Toxin and Dermal Fillers.

Though the course was fairly small, the feedback we received showed that satisfaction levels are going from strength to strength.

In fact, it was among the best feedback we have received since we began. We’re very proud to share the results with you here.

The Verdict

Here’s how our delegates rated us:

  • 100% would recommend the course and return for further training
  • 100% thought the speakers communicated effectively
  • 100% thought the venue was suitable for the training
  • 100% thought the demonstrations were well presented and informative
  • 100% thought the hands-on experience was valuable
  • 98% thought there was sufficient time for discussion

A fantastic set of feedback, and we hope that many of our Foundation course delegates choose to continue their study with Cosmetic Courses – either by moving up to the next level on our Intermediate and Advanced courses, or broadening their expertise into other areas like Dermaroller and Skin Peels.

If you would like to attend our next Foundation Botulinum Toxin and Dermal Fillers course, it will be held on Saturday 11th August. Click here to book your place. Alternatively, we are always happy to arrange bespoke one-to-one training sessions at a time that’s convenient for you. Contact us for more information on 0845 230 4110 or email [email protected].

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Feedback from our latest Botox and Dermal Fillers Foundation Training Course

The results of our latest training course are in…..and they’re better than ever!

Last Saturday, 12th May, Cosmetic Courses ran another fully subscribed Foundation course in Botulinum Toxin and Dermal Fillers.

We routinely ask all our delegates to fill out feedback forms to let us know what we’re doing right, as well as highlighting any areas we can improve on.

We’ve now collated the feedback from Saturday’s course, and are very proud to be able to share the results with you here.

The Verdict

Here’s how our delegates rated us:

  • Accommodation and travel were given a score of 96%
  • Structure of the course and discussion time scored 97%
  • Course  presentation, lecture, demonstration, venue and effectiveness of communication were all rated 99%
  • Value of the course and amount learned were given a perfect 100%!

Our Foundation courses are designed for delegates just starting out in their aesthetic careers, and mark the very first step in their journey, so it’s particularly satisfying to hear that they found our latest course so useful.

We hope that many of these happy delegates will decide to join the ranks of our previous Foundation course delegates who have progressed to further study on our Intermediate and Advanced courses, or broaden their training into other areas such as Skin Peels and Dermaroller.

If you missed out on our last training course and would like to attend the next one, it will be held on Saturday 23rd June. Alternatively, we are always happy to arrange bespoke one-to-one sessions at a time that suits you. Contact us for more information on 0845 230 4110 or email [email protected].

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