Lawyer warns cosmetic injections are never risk-free

Doctors and clinics should never claim cosmetic injections carry no risk, lawyer Laura Viira said on ERR’s Terevisioon programme. She urged clients to discuss possible complications with providers before agreeing to a procedure.

Viira said filler injections are healthcare services because they can have serious complications, so providers must hold an operating licence. She said unlicensed beauty clinics are a concern and advised clients to check the Health Board’s website to see whether a provider is licensed.

Clinics give clients consent forms outlining risks, aftercare and contraindications, but doctors should also discuss the information with patients to ensure they understand the procedure. Written consent is not legally required, Viira said, but keeping a record of the discussion can protect both the patient and the clinic.

A disappointing result alone is not grounds to challenge a treatment, she said. A provider may be held responsible if something goes wrong or a required standard is breached. Viira cited cases such as a cotton swab being left in a patient’s nose after surgery, or a patient being injected in the chin instead of the forehead.

Clients should agree in advance on what will be done and what risks are involved, Viira said. Because cosmetic injections are not medically necessary, people should have the chance to consider whether they are willing to accept those risks. A provider’s claim that there are none should be a warning sign, she added.

Viira said licensed clinics are currently required to have liability insurance, while unlicensed providers may not have it. She advised clients to report clinics without an operating licence to the Health Board.