The rise of YouTube beauty bloggers has given a swathe of viewers the confidence to carry out their own DIY beauty hacks.
Over-plucked eyebrows and horrendous fake tan fails might be something that can be rectified – but it seems many are taking things further and could be doing permanent damage.With videos flooding the internet capturing the horrors of home beauty hacks going badly wrong, Daily Star Online asked professionals what the hidden health dangers of a quick fix are – and what you should do about it. Dr Rupert Critchley, GP and Founder of VIVA Skin Clinics, said he has seen first hand the terrible consequences of DIY beauty hacks – including anti-wrinkle and filler injections.
“Alongside the serious potential side effects of facial paralysis, droopy eyelids and permanent facial disfigurement, these type of ‘do it yourself’ injections can even cause death,” he said. “Doing it yourself – especially when it comes to the world of beauty and aesthetics – may not only be hazardous to your health but can also cause serious long term damage.
“Professionals are trained for many years and to an incredibly high standard in order to give you the correct advice and personalised treatments. DIY beauty is simply not worth the risk.”Dr Leah Totton is a former The Apprentice winner and Lord Alan Sugar’s business partner in her highly successful Dr Leah Cosmetic Skin Clinics and Skincare.
She says she personally reviews ten botched lip cases every month.“The majority of ‘botched’ cases are actually carried out by the patients themselves who have purchased the dermal filler online,” she told Daily Star Online.
“Sometimes it is possible for me to dissolve the dodgy filler with laser treatment or by injecting an enzyme to break it down, but sometimes it isn’t possible. “For these patients, I have to refer them to a plastic surgeon to have the filler surgically removed.”
Dr Totton explained that there is currently no regulation for people buying filler online and it is legal for anyone to inject it. She said: “My advice to anyone considering lip enhancement is to never do it yourself with something you’ve bought online. Always use a reputable clinic, which can manage any complications if something goes wrong, and always be wary if the price is too low.“If someone can offer you treatment at £150 or under they are probably not using a high-quality filler.”And it isn’t just dodgy injections that can have dangerous implications.
