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Why Non-Medics Should Not Become Injection Specialists

Mar 18 2021

Reading Time: 4 Minutes

Author: Tony Pezzano

In some parts of the world, Botox training for non-medical personnel is allowed, and it’s a practice that is harming the medical aesthetics industry as a whole. It has proven to be a risky proceeding that does not only lead to side effects but can also endanger the clients involved. 

Botox and dermal filler injections are medical procedures utilizing both medications and medical devices that require an extensive medical background to administer safety to avoid serious complications.  This means that, in most cases, only physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, registered practical nurses and dentists should administer these procedures.  Without this extensive medical background in anatomy and aseptic technique, non-medics run the risk of endangering patients.

Here are more reasons why non-medics should not become injection specialists. 

Reasons Why Botox Training for Non-Medical Personnel Should Not be Allowed

The Botox industry is currently at a record high; it was valued at $4.83 billion in 2019 with the expectancy to reach $7.1 billion in 2027. The demand for minimally invasive procedures continues to grow, and this is why more and more individuals are pursuing careers in the medical aesthetics industry. However, these numbers are attracting even non-licensed medical professionals into getting Botox training so they can perform injectables and profit from it. 

Here are some reasons why Botox training for non-medical personnel should be not be allowed:

Non-Medical Personnel Can Pass Misleading Information

In the United Kingdom, medical experts are familiar with this alarming trend, which is why there was a petition to ban Botox training for non-medical professionals in 2013. National Health Service director Bruce Keogh, mentioned that non-medical personnel who offer cosmetic procedures are inadequately qualified and could pass on less-than-accurate information prior to the treatment. This could endanger the patients and increase their risk of negative side effects from Botox injections and dermal filler injections.

Non-Medical Personnel Are Not Adequately Trained

Licensed medical professionals need to pass rigorous third party certification exams in order to obtain their license.  This takes years of both theoretical and hands on practical training. These skills can be adapted into administering filler injections in a safe and effective manner to ensure client satisfaction and safety. When Botox training for non-medical personnel is done, they lack the basis of medical knowledge resulting in an increased risk of faulty procedures that can result in, at best, odd looking outcomes or more serious issues including tissue death, granulomas and blindness. 

Non-Medical Personnel Have Limited Knowledge of Industry-Standard Safety Procedures

Individuals who sign-up for Botox training for non-medical personnel lack understanding of aseptic techniques taught in medical and nursing programs that form the base of knowledge to ensure proper sterilization procedures, minimize infection or cross-contamination risks, and the understanding of how to deal with complications.  These complications, if not treated appropriately and in a timely manner can lead to serious, permanent damage to patients. 

Non-Medical Personnel Don’t Have Access to Reliable Supply Chains

Botox and dermal filler training for non-medical personnel is not only dangerous, but it also promotes the black market of these products.. It is a reality that non-medics may have trouble tapping into Health Canada approved toxins and  fillers through trusted and certified supply routes that are only available to licensed medical professionals. Because of this, non-medics may be tempted to source fillers online at cheap prices from counterfeit suppliers which can then give harmful effects on their unknowing clients. 

Non-Medical Personnel Are Not Bound by Professional Standards

Remarks such as “you will look nicer” or “you will feel better” are potentially  misleading and unprofessional statements.  Medical professionals  will present both the benefits and risks to the patient prior to trreatment in order to obtain informed consent for the upcoming medical procedure.  Performing these treatments also means that medical professionals are able to recognize and treat any adverse events.  This is simple impossible for many non medical individuals as they lack the basic medical knowledge obtained through years of academic schooling.

Aside from these statements, non-medics are more likely to be unaware of the multiple contraindications that would mean a patient is not suitable for Botox and dermal filler injections.  As a result, clients would undergo procedures without knowing what could possibly go wrong.

Non-Medical Personnel Cannot Treat Complications Following a Procedure

While Botox and dermal fillers are considered relatively safe procedures when performed by medically trained professionals,  a non-medic can administer injections in the wrong manner, leading to complications or infections. When this happens, non-medics lack the resources and ability to prescribe medications to treat side effects, such as granulomas, skin infections, migration, necrosis, and in a worse case scenario, blindness.

Non-Medical Administered Injections May Result In Permanent Damage

Further aligning with Keogh’s work to ban Botox and dermal filler  training for non-medics, there have been several documented cases of severe, life-altering side effects, such as blindness and eye infections as a direct result of dermal fillers. A medical professional has the medical knowledge to substantially decrease the risk that this kind of severe side effect doesn’t happen after administering dermal filler injections. Of particular concern are injections of dermal filler into the nose and frown lines which can lead to serious , non reversible adverse events. The resources to treat side effects are not readily available to non-medical personnel administering dermal filler procedures. 

The lack of regulation regarding Botox training for non-medical personnel is a threat in the medical aesthetics industry that needs to be addressed. To put it in a different perspective, many would feel uncomfortable driving a car without insurance, and it’s safe to say that individuals should also look for a certain level of professionalism when seeking Botox injections. 

Gain International Botox Certification for Medical Professionals

APT Injection Training is a top-tier training facility offering intensive Botox filler courses for licensed medical professionals in North America. We are the only training centre in Canada that offers an internationally recognized certification for toxin and dermal filler injections. 

Our personalized courses and hands-on training have proved to be beneficial for our trainees, and our decades-worth of success stories can prove it. We have trained hundreds of doctors, physicians, registered nurses, and dentists to master basic and advanced injection techniques to thousands of satisfied patients.

For more information on our Botox and dermal filler certification courses, please contact us today! A member of the APT Team will get in touch with you immediately.