Irish Government considers age restriction on cosmetic procedures

The Minister for Health Simon Harris is considering a ban on treatments such as Botox and fillers for anyone under 18 years of age.

He said that increasing concern about standards in some parts of the beauty industry has led him to ask health officials to investigate if there needs to be tighter regulations.

“It is clear this is a growing industry across all age groups and all sexes,” he noted. “While the profession and the products are regulated, I am conscious this is an industry that is continuing to grow and, particularly worryingly, it is targeting young men and women.There are a number of reasons for this, including a desire by young men and women to be perfect, driven by social media. 

“But there are also companies and professionals who are exploiting that for their own gain. There is a need to examine whether current regulations are sufficient or whether further regulation is required. This is not an issue solely confined to Ireland but one I believe we need to address as a matter of priority.”

Minister Harris has asked his department to assess whether it should impose a minimum age for the use of these products, stressing that it is an area that cannot go unregulated or unsupervised.

He hopes an age ban will benefit young people in the same way as the sunbed ban of 2015.