Dissolving unwanted filler in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and your hairdresser is offering to dissolve your filler?
Hairdressers should not be dissolving fillers because dissolving fillers involve injecting a type of concentrated enzyme into the skin, which can be dangerous and requires advanced medical training. Injecting fillers and dissolving them is a medical procedure that should only be performed by trained medical professionals.
Fillers are substances injected into the skin to fill wrinkles and fine lines, plump lips, and enhance facial features. Hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers can be removed/dissolved using hyaluronidase, an enzyme injected into the skin or tissue to dissolve the unwanted dermal filler. It does this by degrading and breaking down hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronidase is classified as a DRUG and is a PRESCRIPTION-ONLY MEDICINE. In other words, this medication is ONLY available via a prescription from a medical professional with a prescribing license (such as a doctor, prescribing nurse, dentist, etc.). However, there has been a growing trend of non-medical ‘practitioners’ in Glasgow and Edinburgh, such as hairdressers and beauticians, offering to dissolve fillers in recent years. But is this a safe practice?
Though dermal fillers can significantly improve your appearance, they can also have adverse effects, particularly when administered by an unqualified practitioner who lacks the necessary experience. In some cases, there is a risk of infection, skin discolouration, and even tissue death. In addition, for those seeking to dissolve their fillers, using an unqualified and inexperienced practitioner can cause further significant damage to the skin. Although rare, hyaluronidase has been shown to cause allergic reactions.
What is Hyaluronidase?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers can be removed/dissolved using hyaluronidase, an enzyme injected into the skin or tissue to dissolve the unwanted dermal filler. It does this by degrading and breaking down hyaluronic acid. However, hyaluronidase is a prescription-only medication, meaning it can only be administered by a medical professional.
In other words, this medication is ONLY available via a prescription from a medical professional with a prescribing license (such as a doctor, prescribing nurse, dentist, etc.).
Are Hairdressers Qualified to Dissolve Fillers?
Hairdressers who offer to dissolve fillers do so without the necessary qualifications and certifications to do so safely. Many industry professionals have expressed concerns about the safety of this practice. Without knowing the exact ingredients in the filler and how long it has been in place, it is impossible for a hairdresser to accurately assess the risk of potential side effects. Importantly, hairdressers and beauticians do not hold the license to prescribe and dispense hyaluronidase.
Conclusion
Hairdressers and beauticians in Glasgow and Edinburgh offering to dissolve fillers is a concerning trend with potentially serious consequences. Injectors who are NOT A PRESCRIBER are forbidden to inject hyaluronidase if their patient/client has not had a face-to-face consultation with a licensed prescriber. So, if your beautician or hairdresser offers to dissolve your filler, ask them ‘Where is the prescriber?” Because hyaluronidase is a prescription-only medication, it is practically impossible for a non-prescriber to get their hands on it. If they do, it is ILLEGAL and likely a fake product.
Dissolving fillers improperly or without the necessary training and expertise can lead to severe complications, such as infection, scarring, or tissue damage. Additionally, using the wrong type or amount of dissolving solution can result in an adverse reaction or allergic response. Therefore, it is crucial to seek the services of a trained medical professional with the proper training, experience, and qualifications to dissolve fillers safely.