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Warning after mum's horror reaction to lip injections


Doctors have estimated that close to 100,000 Australians will undergo cosmetic procedures in the coming weeks, many in preparation for party season.

Aussies are spending big money on botox and fillers, but lax regulations are putting some people in danger.

One Sydney woman went blind after having dermal fillers in her face, while a mother-of-three ended up badly bruised from lip injections.

This mother-of-three ended up badly bruised from lip injections. Source: 7 News
This mother-of-three ended up badly bruised from lip injections. Source: 7 News
What can happen when lip filler injections go wrong. Source: 7 News
What can happen when lip filler injections go wrong. Source: 7 News

It’s a booming industry, with rogue operators wanting a piece of the action.

Australia now has the most cosmetic surgery per capita in the world – more, even, than the United States, with approximately half a million procedures performed last year to the tune of one billion dollars.

But there are growing concerns the system is a lottery for patients and there is no simple, nationally-accredited way for people to know they are in safe hands.

“These are not beauty therapy treatments, these are medical treatments,” Dr John Flynn from the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery said.

Australians are spending big money on botox and fillers, but lax regulations are putting some people in danger. Source: 7 News
Australians are spending big money on botox and fillers, but lax regulations are putting some people in danger. Source: 7 News

“It really does count who does the procedure,” added cosmetic physician Dr Mary Dingley.

Patients do need a doctor’s consultation first, but that can happen over a brief Skype chat.

Last year a beauty salon manager died during a breast implant procedure. Two women are facing manslaughter charges.

Some practitioners advertise on Gumtree, while short courses are available online.

There is now a push for a national framework, but the current advice is to check both the background of your injector and whether your product has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.