SINCE Botox treatments became available to the public, they have slowly made their way out of the Hollywood clinics and on to the high street.

Now it’s as simple as making an appointment, and you can return to the office from your lunch break with those annoying wrinkles magically smoothed over.

However, the phenomenal rise in popularity of Botox means customers could be at risk from the unscrupulous practitioner.

One of the easiest ways to make sure you don’t fall foul is to look out for the Independent Healthcare Advisory Service (IHAS) accreditation mark.

One treatment centre which recently met the strict criteria to gain the mark is Botastic, based in Browns department store in York.

The business is run by Caroline Tripp and Eve Montgomerie, both qualified nurse practitioners. Between them they have more than 30 years experience working in the NHS and private sector. Both are advanced nurses from the critical care and general practice environment with additional specialist skills and qualifications in aesthetic treatments such as Botox, dermal filler, dermaroller and chemical peels.

They are thrilled to be recognised by an organisation which is the nearest thing to a regulatory body for cosmetic treatments which involve an injection.

Caroline said: “The injectable industry isn’t really regulated, but the public can go to the Treatment You Can Trust website to find out about the accreditation.

“The mark covers things such as hygiene and training. It’s really strict in terms of what is covered.”

According to Caroline and Eve, the Department of Health advises against the practice of remote prescribing, where the customer isn’t seen by the doctor or nurse who prescribes the drug to be administered.

The two women also warn against the trend for Botox parties, which they say are a good example of where things can go wrong.

Botox is a protein complex derived from the bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum. The Botox used by Caroline and Eve to reduce wrinkles is a sterile and purified version of the Botulinum Toxin A.

It is a temporary way to help rejuvenate the face through non-surgical means and is injected into desired areas with the effects generally lasting a few months before re-application is necessary.

The entire Botox cosmetic injection procedure takes about ten minutes. After the procedure, there’s no recovery time needed.

Celebration evening

The Botastic clinic at Browns (York) has been awarded the “Treatments you can trust” quality kite mark from IHAS.

To mark the occasion, Botastic would love to see you at their celebration night on Thursday, June 16, from 5pm to 8pm in Rhodes restaurant (second floor) at Browns.

Enjoy a glass of wine and food with the team at Botastic, enter a free prize draw, see the clinic and much more.

Numbers are limited and will be on a first-come basis.

Contact Botastic on 07921 020767 or email info@botastic.co.uk