'Barbietox' social media trend raises Scottish Botox fears
Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie at the London premiere of Barbie. (Image: Ian West/PA Wire)
This treatment can involve 40 injections of Botox into your trapezius muscle to slim the neck and shoulders, emulating the physique often associated with the Barbie doll.
Barbietox can alleviate tension headaches and neck pain however, there are risks as, if administered incorrectly or at the wrong dosage, the Botox could paralyse the muscle completely.
Experts have also said the trapezius muscle is very close to vital respiratory and central nerve centres and if the Botox is injected here, instead of the muscle, it could have 'fatal consequences'.
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has told The Herald this procedure should be done safely with a qualified practitioner.
However, at the moment, anyone can carry out non-surgical procedures such as this without formal training in Scotland.
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The Scottish Government is currently aiming to introduce a bill this year to regulate the profession following concerns about botched procedures.
Last month, it was reported that 28 people in the north-east of England have been left with potentially fatal botulism after having anti-wrinkle injections believed to have been fake.
Under the Scottish Government proposals, injectable cosmetic procedures such as dermal fillers and the use of Botox will have to be supervised by a qualified healthcare professional.
The British Beauty has welcomed this move but hopes the regulations introduced will also address the 'potential influence' of social media trends on young and vulnerable people.
Chief of Policy and Sustainability at the British Beauty Council Victoria Brownlie MBE told The Herald: 'We hope that these regulations will help to address concerns about vulnerable individuals and the potential influence of social media trends on young and vulnerable people.
'The Council will continue to engage with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders to ensure these vital reforms are implemented effectively, fostering a safer, more reputable beauty industry for all.'
Regulation of the internet is a reserved matter, however, ministers have said they will urge the UK Government to 'do more' to tackle 'harmful content online'.
The UK Government told The Herald that they are urging anyone considering cosmetic procedures to consider the possible health impacts and find a reputable, insured and qualified practitioner.
UK ministers are also expected to share an update on cosmetic regulations in due course.
Under the Online Safety Act, platforms are required to take steps to remove content where it is illegal to protect users from online harms.
The British Beauty Council has described the Scottish Government's regulation proposals as 'robust' and said they share the government's 'paramount concern' for public safety and 'believe regulation is crucial for safeguarding both professional working within the aesthetics sector and the general public.'
The proposals would bring in a minimum age of 18 for all procedures and classify treatments into three distinct groups.
The first of these is procedures such as microneedling, with the second being injectables like Botox or dermal fillers. The third includes 'breast and buttock augmentation'.
The latter two would be required to take place in a setting regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
Ms Brownlie added: 'The proposed three-tiered grouping of procedures, alongside licensing for premises and practitioners, and enhanced enforcement powers for local authorities and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), will significantly elevate standards of hygiene, training, and accountability across Scotland.'
BAAPS has said the regulations are a "big step" forward, however, they would like to see more restrictions in place for those administering Botox and other injectables in Scotland.
One of Scotland's leading Plastic Surgeons, Alastair Lowrie, is currently representing the body in talks with Scottish ministers.
A BAAPS spokesperson said: "BAAPS have been in touch indirectly with the Scottish Government and Alastair Lowrie has been representing us there.
"We put in a response to the recent consultation.
"The proposals are a big step forward from the current situation but we would have preferred more restrictions on who can perform procedures in group 2 particularly."
The Scottish Government has said engagement with Scotland's beauty and aesthetics industry will be "vital" as they progress proposals to regulate a range of non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
A spokesperson added: 'We want to protect the public by ensuring treatments and procedures are undertaken in safe settings and by people who have the right skills and tools."
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