A Northern Ireland woman who developed lumps on her stomach after using tanning injections has spoken out to warn others of the potential side effects.
It comes amid growing calls for stronger regulation of cosmetic procedures following a rise in reports of unlicensed and fake products.
A consultation on the regulation of botox, fillers and other cosmetic procedures in Northern Ireland has been postponed due to public sector cuts, according to the Department of Health.
Hanna, who asked to remain anonymous, told UTV how she started using tanning injections, also known as Melanotan injections.
“I was a sunbed user and I was just getting to the stage where I wasn’t getting any darker and I wanted to be more tanned … and I found out about tanning injections,” she said.
“They gave me instructions on how to use them, but I’m not a doctor or a nurse – I just did as I was told… if I knew what my stomach would be like now, I would’ve not touched them.”
She explained that four months after she last used the injections she felt a lump in her stomach.
“One lump turned into two lumps and then within the fourth day it was four lumps…it was progressing in such a short period of time.
“The bumps started to turn into almost sunburned, peeling skin, and then the bump peeled off and turned a horrible red, purple color that then broke…and you’re left with holes in your stomach.”
She then called the GP and that’s when her healing journey began.
“It was very stressful,” Hanna told UTV.
“If people are using them right now, it’s your body, do what you want with it, but for my part, I’d say right now, take them off ASAP before you do any more damage to your body.”
Dermatologist Dr Samiya Rahman first treated Hanna at the Belfast Skin Care Clinic.
“There are a number of side effects from these drugs, like flushing, dizziness, nausea, so those are probably the most common side effects,” he told UTV.
“At this stage we don’t know enough about Melanotan injections as they’re not regulated, they’re not tested, they don’t go through the rigorous testing process that all the other drugs do, where we know how big it is or the short-term side effects,” he told UTV.
“My advice would obviously be to stop if you’re doing it because we don’t know what you’re injecting into your body and we don’t want to cause irreversible damage.
“The only safe tan you can get is the one you apply yourself, whether it’s a spray tan or a fake tan and there are some really good tans out there.”
Dr Rahman also encouraged anyone who has used injection tans and is experiencing side effects not to be ashamed to come forward.
“Nobody’s going to judge you. We really want to help and get it over with faster and get you the treatment we can to make things better, so don’t sit at home in shame, there’s absolutely no judgement.”
While tanning injections are not illegal to use, they are illegal to sell in the UK, as are some forms of botox and fillers, yet users told UTV they are easily accessible.
Jonathan, not his real name, told UTV he bought fillers online because of a crease in his smile. He then himself injected the substance into his own face – something he strongly regrets and actively discourages anyone else from doing.
“I distorted everything natural-looking about my natural face and smile. Now I’m in the process of breaking it down and bringing it back to something natural,” she said. “I would never do it again.”
“I was lucky. I could have hit a blood vessel, I could have killed my skin.”
His appeal to others is clear: “Go to a professional, listen to their advice, they know what they are talking about.
“Don’t be so obsessed with how you look. Everyone gets old, surround yourself with friends and family who love you. You’re just chasing something that’s unattainable in the long run.”
Alastair Brown from the Royal College of Surgeons in Northern Ireland knows all too well the complications that can arise if procedures are not carried out correctly.
“The industry is constantly expanding and there are different levels of non-surgical cosmetic surgery available, from minimally invasive to more invasive, but it’s important the public know what it’s for,” the consultant plastic surgeon told UTV. .
They want to improve, they want to do it the right way and they want to have the right guidance, they want quality assurance, but if something goes wrong it can be devastating and not just affect their physical appearance. ..but it can go the other way around – the psychological aspect of it can last a lifetime.”
He explained that “regulation is very variable across regions of the UK”, however there are some professional bodies such as the RCS and the General Medical Council who “ensure standards are at a high level” and monitor doctors constantly.
“There are other practitioners or others who administer fillers or botox that we don’t know who they are controlled by and some of them leave a lot to be desired,” he added.
“At the moment, it’s very variable. Some people are very heavily regulated, but there are other circumstances where there is little to no regulation and the difficulty for the public is knowing which is which.
“If they’re misused or people aren’t educated, then they can be very important. I’ve seen patients come to me with lumps, lumps that are permanent, the skin can die if the filler is used improperly, and if it’s on the face, it’s very , very hard to hide.
“In the most extreme cases of misuse in the wrong area, blindness can result, so these should be taken with extreme caution.”
In a statement, the Department of Health said: “There is a clear risk to public safety from the illegal distribution and misuse of both licensed and unlicensed medicinal products in the non-surgical cosmetic sector in Northern Ireland.
“People should not trust unauthorized and unscrupulous individuals whose motive is profit.
“Patients should also not be fooled by professional-looking websites or social media sites that offer over-the-counter drugs.
“Taking short periods and using these drugs could expose you to a dangerous counterfeit or substandard drug.
“The Department of Health will continue to work with partner agencies to take effective action where necessary to protect public safety. This includes prosecuting offenders.”
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