The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has announced that it is tightening the advertising rules on botulinum toxin injections (botox). These new rules will be enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority, but there will be a short grace period until 31 January to allow advertisers to voluntarily remove non-compliant ads. 

Botulinum injections, otherwise known as Botox, Vistabel, Dysport, Bocouture and Azzalure, are all presctiption-only medications that cannot legally be advertised to the public. Advertising includes social media, including paid-for or not paid-for marketing posts. Promotional advertising is also banned.  

The Committee of Advertising Practice advice is:

• Remove any direct reference to Botox or other botulinum toxins, including names such as 'Beautytox' or 'Beautox', including in images and hashtags.
• Don't use alternatives such as 'wrinkle relaxing injections' as it still counts as promotion of a prescription-only medicine. References to 'anti-wrinkle injections' alongside a price will also be counted as an ad. 
• Don't refer to treating medical conditions in a way that suggests you are promoting a prescription-only medicine, for examples 'injections for excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)'. 
• You can promote the service you provide and the consultation, for example, 'a consultation, for the treatment of lines and wrinkles' but you must be very careful not to directly or indirectly advertise a prescription-only medicine. 

Caroline Larissey, NHBF Director of Quality & Standards said, “We welcome the crackdown on advertising, especially on social media which can unduly influence young people or vulnerable adults to have treatments that may not be needed.  For this reason, we would also support a ban on injectables being provided for under 18s.”  

The ban on advertising does not apply however, apply to dermal fillers as these are not prescription-only medicines. 

From 1 February, the enforcement authorities will be using monitoring technology to detect non-compliant posts to serve enforcement notices.

For more information please visit asa.org.uk.