Plastic surgeons warned of a ‘timebomb’, saying fillers are ‘completely unregulated’, with anyone who has completed a half-day course allowed to inject them into patients. Fillers, a gel-like substance used to smooth wrinkles and plump up cheeks, were once the preserve of the rich and famous. But they are becoming increasingly popular in the mainstream among women hoping to emulate stars with naturally striking, sculpted features, such as Angelina Jolie.
As well as being offered by hairdressers and beauticians for about £250 a time, fillers are also widely available on the internet for self-injection. In the US, where they are regulated, only seven types have been cleared for use – yet more than 150 are offered on the British high street. They are sold legally without safety checks.