Latest news with #cosmeticinjectables
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Nita McHugh Launches All You NEEDLE to Know and All You NEEDLE to Record
Aesthetic nurse Nita McHugh introduces her educational resources, All You NEEDLE to Know book and All You NEEDLE to Record planner, empowering consumers and injectors. Sydney, Australia, August 4, 2025 -- Nita McHugh Transforms Cosmetic Injectables with Education and Transparency Nita McHugh, a veteran aesthetic nurse with more than 30 years of experience in cosmetic injectables, is unveiling new resources designed to empower both consumers and injectors in the world of aesthetic treatments. After decades of hands-on practice, Nita is introducing her debut book, All You NEEDLE to Know, along with a companion tool, All You NEEDLE to Record, providing vital knowledge and organization for those considering or undergoing injectable treatments. Having spent over 50 years in nursing, Nita's deep understanding of both medical care and cosmetic enhancements has led her to launch a brand that prioritizes education, transparency, and natural-looking results. The goal of All You NEEDLE to Know is simple: to help individuals make informed decisions about their aesthetic treatments, from Botox to dermal fillers, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), and beyond. With All You NEEDLE to Know, Nita is bridging the gap between complex medical procedures and consumer-friendly information, offering straightforward insights that anyone can understand. Simplified Education for a Complex Industry All You NEEDLE to Know is more than just a guide to cosmetic injectables; it's a comprehensive resource that provides readers with the necessary knowledge to navigate their aesthetic journeys with confidence. The book covers a variety of treatments, explaining their benefits, risks, and expected outcomes in clear and accessible language. Whether someone is new to injectables or is already familiar with the process, this book empowers readers to make educated choices about their treatments. What sets Nita apart in the aesthetic industry is her commitment to safety and transparency. Throughout her career, she has seen firsthand how the influx of misinformation and contradictory advice can overwhelm potential clients. With her book, Nita aims to clear up the confusion, ensuring that anyone considering cosmetic treatments has the facts they need to make the best decisions for themselves. Track Your Journey with All You NEEDLE to Record In addition to the educational book, Nita has launched All You NEEDLE to Record, a five-year injectable record and planner. This tool helps patients track their treatments, ensuring they maintain detailed records of all procedures. From treatment dates and products used to batch numbers, clinic details, and costs, All You NEEDLE to Record is designed to keep patients organized and informed. The importance of keeping accurate records of cosmetic treatments cannot be overstated. When patients change clinics, undergo different types of treatments, or simply want to monitor their long-term results, having a detailed record is essential. By using All You NEEDLE to Record, patients can ensure that their aesthetic journey remains safe, continuous, and personalized. A Passion for Education and Empowerment Nita's approach to aesthetics goes beyond just providing treatments. She is passionate about educating her clients and fellow injectors. Over the years, she has become a trusted trainer and mentor, helping new injectors learn the skills and knowledge required to deliver safe and effective results. Her role as a Radiesse and PRP trainer for Merz and AMSL has allowed her to share her expertise with injectors nationwide, improving their techniques and ensuring they adhere to the highest standards. For Nita, education is key to improving the overall quality of care in the aesthetic industry. By providing clear, honest, and expert-led resources, Nita ensures that both consumers and injectors can make informed decisions based on solid knowledge. Through All You NEEDLE to Know, she is able to reach a broader audience, ensuring that the next generation of injectors and their clients have access to reliable, easy-to-understand guidance. Advocating for Natural Results and Safe Practices Throughout her career, Nita has been a strong advocate for natural-looking, refined aesthetics. In a world where extreme results sometimes take precedence, Nita remains committed to a more subtle, balanced approach to cosmetic treatments. Her philosophy is that less is often more, and achieving natural, enhanced beauty should always be the goal. This philosophy extends beyond just the treatments themselves. Nita is also dedicated to ensuring that injectors and patients prioritize safety above all else. With decades of experience, she has seen the consequences of rushed or poorly executed treatments, and she has made it her mission to raise awareness about the importance of ethical practices, patient care, and ongoing education in the field. Her book and planning tool are part of this broader commitment to creating a safer, more informed aesthetic industry, where both patients and professionals prioritize well-being and natural results. Supporting the Next Generation of Injectors Another core mission for Nita is to support and guide new injectors entering the industry. Through her workshops and one-on-one training, she has worked to elevate standards and provide real-world mentorship to those starting their careers in cosmetic injectables. This mentorship is crucial in a field where training can sometimes be limited, and the demand for injectables is growing rapidly. Nita's experience working alongside renowned cosmetic physicians like Dr. Soo Keat Lim and Professor Tim Papadopoulos has enriched her understanding of the field and inspired her to create a comprehensive learning environment for both consumers and injectors. Through All You NEEDLE to Know and her training programs, she is empowering the next generation of injectors with the tools they need to succeed in a competitive and evolving industry. The Empowerment of Aging Gracefully At 70 years old, Nita is living proof of the power of reinvention and embracing age with confidence. In her personal and professional life, she is an advocate for empowered aging, believing that cosmetic enhancements, when done thoughtfully, can help people maintain a positive self-image and a high quality of life. Her mission is to show that beauty does not have to be abandoned with age. Instead, by making educated choices about cosmetic treatments, anyone can enhance their natural beauty at any stage of life. Through her own journey, Nita serves as an inspiration to others who may feel apprehensive about aging. She encourages her clients to embrace their authentic selves while also considering the benefits of subtle cosmetic enhancements to enhance their confidence and self-esteem. Nita's belief in 'refined, not overdone' aesthetics underscores her approach to empowering others to age gracefully, with dignity and confidence. About All You NEEDLE to Know Founded by Nita McHugh, All You NEEDLE to Know is a platform dedicated to educating both consumers and injectors about cosmetic injectables. Nita's mission is to provide clear, reliable information that empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their aesthetic treatments. With decades of experience in nursing and aesthetic medicine, Nita offers unique insights and tools that promote safety, transparency, and natural results. Media Contact Nita Lemonia McHugh All you NEEDLE to Know Email: [email protected] Website: Instagram: @nitamchugh_rn Contact Info: Name: Nita Lemonia McHugh Email: Send Email Organization: All you NEEDLE to Know Website: Release ID: 89166369 In the event of detecting errors, concerns, or irregularities in the content shared in this press release that require attention or if there is a need for a press release takedown, we kindly request that you inform us promptly by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our dedicated team will promptly address your feedback within 8 hours and take necessary actions to resolve any identified issues diligently or guide you through the removal process. Providing accurate and dependable information is our utmost priority.
News.com.au
03-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Health regulator crackdowns on cosmetic injectables industry
Healthcare regulators in Australia have brought in new guidelines for dentists and nurses who perform non-surgical cosmetic injections, aiming to safeguard the public from practitioners who prioritise profits over patient safety. On Tuesday, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) released new rules requiring healthcare practitioners to undergo additional education and training before conducting cosmetic procedures such as botulinum toxin injections (Botox) and filler injections. They also introduce minimum experience requirements for nurses wishing to work with injectables, saying that they must have at least one year's full-time experience as a nurse outside of non-surgical cosmetic procedures. For years, nurses and dentists have operated in the billion-dollar cosmetic injectable industry without needing to complete any formal extra training or education before injecting patients with neurotoxins such as anti-wrinkle injections. While many practitioners in the industry operate safely and comply with existing laws, regulators have flagged rising concerns about unqualified providers and inadequate oversight in some sectors. Crackdown on influencer testimonials and ads The new changes also stipulate that advertisements for cosmetic injectables must include the details of the registered practitioner who will perform the procedures. Targeted ads directed at minors will also be banned, along with testimonials from social media influencers, who will no longer be eligible for free or discounted cosmetic injectable treatments. Justin Untersteiner, CEO of AHPRA, noted that not all cosmetic injectors would be pleased with the stricter regulations and he expected some would decide to leave the industry, according to ABC. 'There will be others who have to modify their business models and modify their practices to meet these guidelines,' he said. 'This is a growing industry and, I've got to say, what we do see in some cases is that there are people out there putting profit before patient safety.' Nurses and dentists will need to implement the changes before September to ensure they are compliant with the new rules, which are in line with those already in place for doctors. '(After that) we will be identifying those that are doing the wrong thing and we will take action where we need to,' Mr Untersteiner said. Increase in 'dodgy' Botox There has been a recent spike in cases involving unregistered practitioners and clinics using off-brand or outdated dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections on patients, resulting in multiple hospitalisations after patients fell ill with botulism. In January, three people were treated in intensive care for suspected botulism, a potentially fatal illness, after reportedly receiving unregulated anti-wrinkle treatments at a home. Dr Jeremy McAnulty, Executive Director of Health Protection at NSW Health, issued a health warning to those thinking about anti-wrinkle injections, highlighting the risks and side effects associated with unregulated cosmetic injections. In March, a cosmetic clinic in Sydney received a health warning due to its 'highly concerning' infection-control practices. The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) advised clients to undergo testing for possible exposure to bloodborne viruses, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Speedy telehealth calls The new federal guidelines mark the latest action by state and federal regulators, who have been ramping up their stance on cosmetic injectable providers. Many injectable businesses across the country are operated by nurses who administer the injections, often stock prescription fillers and anti-wrinkle injections like anti-wrinkle injections on-site, and organise telehealth consultations for their patients so doctors can remotely prescribe the products. A report by The Age in March revealed that these telehealth consultations saw doctors spend as little as 52 seconds with patients before writing a script for anti-wrinkle injections and fillers. While the new guidelines don't specify how long doctors and nurses must spend talking with patients before prescribing injectables, they do state that practitioners must conduct detailed evaluations, including assessing the patient to ensure expectations are realistic. They should also discuss alternative options with patients and complete a lengthy checklist to confirm that patients have provided proper consent. Peak body for cosmetic plastic surgery in Australia responds Dr Lily Vrtik, a specialist plastic surgeon and President of the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), welcomes the change but argues that more needs to be done. 'Non-surgical cosmetic procedures are growing rapidly in popularity, yet regulation and clinical standards have not been keeping pace,' Dr Vrtik said. While ASAPS 'welcomes the call by AHPRA for the requirement of appropriate education, training, experience, and ongoing education,' they need to crack down further on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. 'CPD is a condition of health professional registration,' she explained. 'Practitioners who perform cosmetic injectable procedures should undertake regular, evidence-based training updates that are specific to cosmetic medicine and that include a strong emphasis on ethical practice. 'These new guidelines now stipulate that CPD should be in the area of their practice (i.e. cosmetic medicine), but alarmingly, there is no minimum quality standard for the CPD educational activity and no plan for enforcement.'
ABC News
02-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Health practitioner regulator gets tough on cosmetic injectable industry to protect patient safety
The Australian health practitioner regulator has introduced sweeping new guidelines for dentists and nurses performing non-surgical cosmetic injectable procedures, in a bid to better protect the public from players putting profits ahead of patient safety. The new rules released by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) today mandate further education and training before healthcare practitioners can perform cosmetic procedures like botox and filler injections. They also introduce minimum periods of experience required for nurses wanting to work with injectables. Nurses and dentists have been operating in the billion dollar cosmetic injectable industry for years without being required to undertake any formal additional education or training, before injecting patients with neurotoxins like botox. While many have become highly skilled at the practice, there's concern clearer rules are needed for those wanting to enter the industry to ensure they have enough training. Under the changes, advertisements will be required to include the details of the registered practitioner performing the procedures. Testimonials from social media influencers will be banned, along with targeted advertising of cosmetic procedures to minors. AHPRA CEO Justin Untersteiner said not all cosmetic injectors would be happy with the tighter rules and expected some would choose to leave the industry under the changes. "There will be others who have to modify their business models, and modify their practices to meet these guidelines," he said. Nurses and dentists have until September to prepare for the changes and ensure they are compliant with the new guidelines, which align with those already in place for doctors. "[After that] we will be identifying those that are doing the wrong thing and we will take action where we need to," he said. There's been a recent spate of cases of non-registered practitioners and clinics using off-brand or out-of-date dermal fillers and botox on patients leading to multiple hospitalisations after patients became ill with botulism. The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) warned patients of a Sydney cosmetic clinic to be tested for blood borne viruses after finding evidence that non-registered staff were injecting patients with dermal fillers and botox. The new federal guidelines are the latest salvo from state and federal regulators, who have been cracking down on cosmetic injectable providers, throwing some clinics into chaos as they scramble to ensure they comply with regulations. Many injectable businesses around the country are run by nurses who do the injecting, and often hold supplies of prescription fillers and anti-wrinkle injections like botox on site, and arrange telehealth consults for their patients so doctors can remotely prescribe the products. Recent guidance released in Queensland has made it clear the practice isn't legal unless the nurse is a Nurse Practitioner with prescribing rights and additional qualifications, or there's a doctor on site. State pharmaceutical and poisons regulators in both NSW and Queensland have also been conducting compliance checks on clinics, monitoring the possession and storage of schedule 4 medications like botox and fillers. AHPRA said it was concerned some telehealth practitioners weren't meeting their professional obligations, after media reports revealed patients were sometimes being issued botox scripts in less than a minute. The new guidance from AHPRA reinforced practitioners were responsible for understanding relevant state and federal drugs and poisons laws, and that those who prescribed cosmetic injectables were still responsible for the patients, regardless of whether or not they performed the procedure. The guidelines also mandate written information must be given to the patient, including the health practitioner who prescribed the cosmetic injectable, the practitioner who performed the procedure, details of the products used, what aftercare was needed, and who is responsible for coordinating the patient's care. From September, nurses will be required to complete a set period of 12 months of full-time practice before expanding their scope to include non-surgical cosmetic procedures. The guidelines state further education will be necessary for those practitioners wanting to work with cosmetic injectables. Those practitioners will need training in anatomy and physiology, education in assessing patients for suitability for the procedure, and both theoretical and hands-on training in the specific procedure being offered. While AHPRA CEO Justin Untersteiner said there had always been an obligation for practitioners to ensure they had appropriate skills, the new rules were "really making it crystal clear" about what it expected for those sorts of procedures. "That will likely require specific training around facial anatomy or physiology and I can tell you that is not a weekend course, this is proper training that will be required," Mr Untersteiner said. He said the regulator had heard multiple cases of permanent irreversible facial nerve damage as well as potentially life-threatening strokes from cosmetic injectables. "All registered health practitioners are responsible for ensuring they are sufficiently educated, trained and competent to safely undertake any cosmetic procedure they may perform." Do you have a story to share? Email Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia chair, Veronica Casey, welcomed the new guidelines and said the safety of the Australian public was paramount. "These types of procedures are undertaken every day and can have serious consequences if not done correctly," she said. The new AHPRA regulations outline that "registered health practitioners must also disclose any financial interests that could be perceived as influencing the advice they provide to people about cosmetic procedures". Some doctors and nurses working in cosmetic injectable clinics operate on commission-based models, meaning the more work done or greater the volume of product injected, the more money they stand to make from a consultation. But whether commission-based models need to be disclosed to patients will be subject to clinician's judgement and assessed by the regulator on a "case-by-case basis". It is illegal to advertise almost all prescription medications or related services including cosmetic injectables, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) responsible for regulation. Despite this, cosmetic clinics have been widely flouting advertising rules for years on social media and their own websites. The TGA said it had recently sent around 100 "targeted guidance letters" to providers in the cosmetic injectables industry, following identification of alleged non-compliance and that more will follow "in the coming weeks". The agency said in a statement that last financial year it submitted over 12,000 requests for removal to social media platforms over the alleged unlawful advertising of therapeutic goods, including "over 2,500 advertisements relating to cosmetic injectable products". The AHPRA guidelines now state any imagery used in advertising of higher-risk cosmetic procedures must be focused on information or education, citing concerns advertising was promoting the "trivialization and glamourisation" of cosmetic procedures to vulnerable patients, especially on social media. Examples of features more likely to be considered entertainment included imagery like music, dancing, singing, or comedic comments. It comes almost four years after a joint ABC and Sydney Morning Herald investigation revealed a shocking video of two doctors dancing while performing liposuction on an unconscious patient, which led to a crackdown on the cosmetic surgery industry. Under the new injectables guidelines there will be a total ban on targeted advertising towards patients under 18, as well as a mandatory seven-day cooling off period between the first consultation and any procedures for minors. Patients considering cosmetic injectables have been encouraged to check if a health practitioner is registered on the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency website.
