The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia has announced significant changes to the regulations surrounding the advertising and administration of cosmetic injectables. These changes, which will come into effect in mid-2024, aim to ensure consumer safety and provide clarity to the cosmetic injectables industry.
This means significant changes in how patients can book treatments and how clinics can discuss and advertise their services. The biggest changes are related to the regulations for cosmetic injectables, as clinics are not allowed to advertise any injectable services, words, or imagery. What does this mean? You can no longer book a “Lip Filler” injection or view a Before-and-After image. Instead, this will be renamed to what the treatment aims to solve, such as “Volume Loss”, and it will discuss the issue – you will have to make a consultation with our clinic to discuss injectable treatments moving forward.
Updated Regulations for Cosmetic Injectables
The TGA has introduced new advertising guidelines for prescription cosmetic injectables. These changes focus on several key areas:
- Prescription Requirements: A registered health practitioner with appropriate training must administer cosmetic injectables, such as anti-wrinkle treatments and dermal fillers. Prescriptions must be provided after a face-to-face consultation with the practitioner.
- Advertising Guidelines: Advertising of prescription cosmetic injectables will be restricted to ensure it does not target or influence minors. Additionally, the advertising must be responsible and transparent about the risks and benefits rather than trivialising the use of prescription medicines, and it should be accountable and transparent about the risks and benefits.
- Consistent Application: The TGA has introduced these new measures to resolve any inconsistency in applying the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code. These guidelines ensure a consistent approach to the cosmetic industry’s marketing and supply of prescription medicines.
Impact On The Cosmetics Industry
The new guidelines will have several significant impacts on the cosmetic industry. Firstly, there will be increased oversight as health practitioners must adhere to stricter protocols. This will ensure that all procedures are carried out safely and ethically, providing a more secure environment for practitioners and consumers.
Secondly, the changes aim to enhance consumer safety by helping consumers better understand cosmetic injectables’ potential risks and benefits. This increased awareness can lead to more informed decision-making and ultimately improve consumer satisfaction and trust in the industry.
Lastly, businesses must adjust their marketing and advertising practices to comply with the new guidelines. This may impact marketing strategies and campaigns, requiring businesses to adapt their approach to comply with the new regulations.
What Clinics Can and Can’t Do Under the New TGA Guidelines
The TGA’s new regulations set clear boundaries on what clinics can and can’t do when advertising and administering cosmetic injectables. This ensures a safer and more ethical environment for both clients and practitioners.
What Clinics Can Do
- Administer Treatments: Clinics can continue offering cosmetic injectable treatments, such as anti-wrinkle treatments and dermal fillers, provided they follow the new guidelines and protocols.
- Conduct Consultations: Clinics are allowed and encouraged to conduct face-to-face consultations with clients before prescribing treatments. This helps assess client suitability and ensures a personalised treatment plan.
- Provide Information: Clinics can educate clients about the risks and benefits of cosmetic injectables, including potential side effects and post-treatment care.
- Offer Follow-Up Care: Clinics can provide follow-up appointments and ongoing support to monitor client outcomes and address concerns.
- Adjust Advertising: Clinics can still advertise their services but must comply with the new TGA advertising guidelines and ensure their marketing materials are ethical and responsible.
What Clinics Can’t Do
- Target Minors: Clinics cannot target or influence minors with their advertising. Marketing materials should avoid appealing to underage audiences.
- Trivialise Treatments: Clinics must avoid trivialising the use of prescription medicines or cosmetic injectables. Advertising should not suggest that treatments are risk-free or imply unrealistic outcomes.
- Offer Injectables Without a Prescription: Clinics cannot administer prescription cosmetic injectables without a valid prescription provided by a registered health practitioner after a face-to-face consultation.
- Use Deceptive Marketing: Clinics must avoid deceptive or misleading advertising practices, such as implying that treatments are affordable for everyone or guaranteeing specific results.
- Skip Proper Documentation: Clinics must maintain detailed client treatments and response records to ensure proper monitoring and compliance with TGA regulations.
By adhering to these new guidelines, clinics can continue offering cosmetic injectables that prioritise and uphold ethical standards. This approach will help foster trust and confidence between clinics and their clients.
Changes To Cosmetic Clinics
To comply with the TGA injectables update and new regulations, cosmetic clinics will need to make several adjustments to their practices:
- Training and Certification: Clinics must ensure that all practitioners are appropriately trained and certified to administer prescription cosmetic injectables. This includes staying up to date with the latest techniques and safety protocols.
- Consultation Protocols: Clients must be consulted face-to-face before injectables are prescribed. Clinics should establish clear protocols for assessing their medical history and discussing their expectations and concerns.
- Advertising Compliance: Clinics must review their marketing and advertising materials to align with the new TGA guidelines. This includes avoiding language or imagery that trivialises refraining from targeting or influencing minors.
- Clear Risk Communication: Clinics should provide clients comprehensive information about cosmetic injectables’ potential risks and benefits. This can include educational materials and informed consent forms.
- Record-Keeping and Monitoring: Maintaining detailed records of each client’s treatment and response is essential for tracking progress and ensuring client safety.
- Client Education: Clinics should prioritise clip prioritisation, offering resources and guidance on post-procedure care and potential side effects.
- Feedback and Follow-Up: Clinics should establish systems for collecting client feedback and conducting follow-up appointments to monitor client satisfaction and address concerns.
Summary of the TGA Injectables Update
The TGA injectables update for 2024 marks an essential step towards enhancing consumer safety and promoting ethical practices in the cosmetic injectables industry. Practitioners and businesses in the industry will need to adapt to these changes, ensuring compliance and prioritising their clients.
If you’re unsure what this means for you and your treatments, feel free to contact our team!
