The wild west of beauty: why Ireland’s cosmetic treatment craze needs taming

Despite soaring popularity among young women, Ireland’s cosmetic treatment sector remains dangerously underregulated and open to serious abuse

This week’s Irish Examiner Women’s Health Report shows that a growing number of women, particularly in the under-34 age profile, feel positive towards cosmetic treatments and plastic surgery procedures.

Type ‘botox party’ into your search engine and watch as almost two million results pop up. Among the items there to grab your attention are card designs for invites to such a party, videos on how to ‘experience the excitement of botox parties’, tips on how to run such an event, and a ‘what you need to know’ guide for those just starting out on such an adventure.

Botox, fillers, and other cosmetic procedures are now as normal as booking in for a hair appointment, a chin wax, or a dental scale and polish. More traditionally associated with a select number of providers, the offering open to people now who are looking for cosmetic improvements is wide, with people also considering travelling abroad for procedures, or simply getting together with ‘the girls’ for a laugh, a drink, and a shot of botulinum toxin (botox) in the comfort of their own home.