There are further calls for stricter laws on who can administer dermal fillers in Ireland.
Under current legislation, practitioners do not have to be a nurse or doctor to inject the products - as is the case for botox.
The Department for Health has said it is considering new regulations for the industry, with the help of the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
Dr Patrick Treacy, founder of the Ailesbury Clinic in Dublin, said there are a number of other countries that already have stricter rules in place.
“In a lot of the world, it is prescriptive medicine,” he told Spin for the documentary Licence To Fill.
“Here it’s not even considered medicine, it’s considered like a device - which is ridiculous.
“These things should be prescribable, then only people with the legal ability to prescribe something can inject it.”
A woman receiving an injection. Image: Eyesofalens / Alamy Stock PhotoDr Treacy said the law in Ireland is much less restrictive than in other parts of Europe.
“If you look up most European countries, they have very high standards,” Dr Treacy said.
“Portugal and Spain just let doctors inject - it’s a criminal offence if you don’t.
“Unfortunately, we’re living next door to our nearest neighbour, Britain, which has the lowest standards in the world - that we’re aware of.
“Almost like it’s the Wild West there and [that’s been brought] over here.”
The phenomenon of Irish people getting botox has previously been described as “endemic”.
Main image: A woman receiving an injection on her forehead. Picture by: Alamy.com
