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UP UNTIL a few years ago, getting your lips plumped might have been considered taboo.

Nowadays, if you haven't gotten Botox or lip filler yourself, you probably know someone who has.

But you might want to think twice about getting those injections, an aesthetics nurse has warned.

Especially if you're under the age of 30.

Louise Walsh, 42, from south-west London, a registered nurse prescriber specialising in dermatology and aesthetics, said she makes a point of never treating clients younger than 30.

Louise – who has 14 years of experience – told the Mail she felt uneasy injecting young girls when she first started out.

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She'd tell them how beautiful they were during consultations and give skincare advice before turning them away.

The nurse even began doubting whether she was in the right line of work, seeing as she was turning down many 'ideal clients'.

But she didn't want to add to the pressure young women already feel to look a certain way – whether from friends, celebrities and the proliferation of filters on social media.

Louise's misgivings aside, she explained there are risks to getting Botox and injections at a young age.

Most read in Health

The Sun launched its Had Our Fill campaign in 2020, calling for tighter regulation of the UK's £2.75billion Botox and filler industry.

It lead health ministers to ban the cosmetic procedures on under 18s, unless for medical reasons.

1. Wrinkly lips

The lip area is one of the first places people complain about seeing signs of aging, Louise said, as the skin is flexible and prone to lines.

And if you're getting dermal filler injected in them while you're still young, you might be speeding up that ageing process, she warned.

Repeatedly getting lip filler can mean that your skin can loose its elasticity, as it causes your lips and the skin surrounding them to stretch over time.

Louise gave the example of how your skin might stretch when you put on a bit of weight. If you loose the weight again, your skin might be a bit 'lax' and not as tight as it used to be.

The same thing can happen to you lips, Louise explained.

She said: "My concern is that if younger people are having this dermal filler injected over time, they're going to have that issue to deal with, as well as the natural ageing process on top… double trouble."

2. Botox immunity

If you have a penchant for Botox from a younger age, you might also find that it becomes less effective over time, Louise warned.

She said: "If you started having Botox in your twenties and if it was effective for 10 years, later on in your forties and fifties, when you actually did need the anti ageing, or want the anti ageing aspect of it, it might not be as effective for you."

While it's not definite that this will happen, Louise said the possibility is discussed a lot within her industry.

3. Body dysmorphia

It's not just young people's skin that's at risk from injecting filler and Botox – Louise also fears for their mental health.

The continued pressure to get injectables could lead to an increased risk of body dysmorphia, she said.

"They think maybe having their lips done or having Botox is gonna make them happy," the nurse explained.

"They're gonna keep chasing this perfect image but actually, that's not what's gonna make them happy,"

According to the NHS, body dysmorphia or body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance, particularly their face

These flaws are often unnoticeable to others.

Though it's common in teenagers and young adults, it can affect all age groups, NHS guidance said. It also affects both men and women.

In her practice, Louise does a risk assessment for body dysmorphia and says she would never treat anyone who had the condition.

For Louise, it's all about self love and acceptance of your own individuality.

She fears that the popularity of getting these treatments – and people 'all starting to look a bit similar' – is eating away at that.

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What is body dysmorphia?

You might have body dysmorphic disorder if you:

• worry a lot about a specific area of your body, particularly your face
• spend a lot of time comparing your looks with other people's
• look at yourself in mirrors a lot or avoid mirrors altogether
• go to a lot of effort to conceal flaws – for example, by spending a long time combing your hair, applying make-up or choosing clothes
• pick at your skin to make it "smooth"

The condition can affect you daily life, relationships, social life and work – it can sometimes lead to depression and self harm.

You should see a GP if you think you might have body dysmorphia.

They might refer you to a mental health specialist for further assessment and treatment. Treatments include cognitive behavioural therapy, which aims to change the way you think and behave. You might also be prescribed antidepressants.

You can ask your GP about support groups in your area. The BDD Foundation has a directory of local and online BDD support groups.

Other useful organisations:

• Anxiety UK
• International OCD Foundation
• Mind
• OCD Action
• OCD UK

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