Super Drug for Mental Health Checks for Patients Seeking Botox and Lip Fillers

Superdrug will provide mental health screening to clients who undergo cosmetic procedures such as lip squeezers and Botox. NHS officials hope this will raise the bar for the sector.

Clients seeking treatment will now be asked to complete a questionnaire developed by psychologists working in the field. When problems arise, they will be referred to a GP or mental health group.

The purpose of this initiative is to help identify people who may have a body dysmorphic disorder or other anxieties that experts say are flourishing on social media and are pushing more people to look for aesthetic procedures.

The NHS has expressed concerns about the lack of regulation of cosmetic procedures, which can be administered without formal training, despite the risk of serious complications.

Professor Stephen Powis, Medical Director of NHS England, wrote to the channel after announcing that he would start offering Botox and dermal fillers in the shopping streets and suggested protective measures.

"The pressures on young people's mental health are greater than ever, with families and health services too often left to their own devices," said Professor Powis.

The current system of voluntary regulation leaves vulnerable people "avoidable exposure" to unsafe practices, he said. "Companies that take action to treat people responsibly, prevent damage and set a very high bar for their practices should encourage others to do the same," added Professor Powis.

Body dysmorphic disorder is thought to affect about one in 50 people, and charities claim that procedures – which cost hundreds of pounds – will not address their image concerns.

Superdrug is offering this new cosmetic product at its flagship store in The Strand, London, before a larger roll-out.

The questionnaire will ask clients if they have parts of their body that worry them, how often they consult them and how their anxiety interferes with their daily activities.

If there is a problem, the health care provider who administers the treatments will be able to refer patients to a GP or to the Mind Charity for help.

There will also be a 14-day cooling off period before patients can receive treatment.

It is also subject to an age limit of 25 years for procedures, although no legal age limit is imposed on beauticians and other private clinics.

In a statement, Superdrug said the badessments are done by qualified cosmetic nurse practitioners and last an hour.

"This allows us to understand why our patients want cosmetic treatments," the company said.

"It also signals to our team the risks or concerns related to the mental health of a patient."

Kitty Wallace, director of the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation, congratulated Superdrug on the introduction of additional protections.

"Studies show that less than 10% of BDD patients are satisfied with the results of cosmetic procedures," she said.

"Although their anxiety may diminish temporarily, they will often find themselves settling on another part of their body that they want to change."