In the UK it is illegal to advertise prescription-only medicines (POMs) and that includes many cosmetic treatments like “Botox©”.  As part of its public protection duty the JCCP has been reporting those who advertise illegally to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and the authority is cracking down on advertisers who flout the law.

One recent case involved an advert for “Botox© models”, volunteer patients who receive free or discounted treatment in return for allowing themselves to be treated for training purposes.  You should always avoid using practitioners who advertise in this way as the ASA recently ruled that such adverts – typically found on Facebook or other social media platforms – breached the regulations against advertising prescription-only medicines to the public.

More information about the advertising of beauty and cosmetic products can be found on the ASA website, asa.org.uk .