Calls for more regulation of Fibroblast skin procedure in Leeds
It can scar you for life if it's not done correctly
Last updated 5th Aug 2019
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES BELOW
We're being warned people in Leeds could end up scarred for life with third degree burns if there aren't tougher regulations on a cosmetic skin tightening procedure.
Fibroblast uses a plasma pen to shrink skin fibres - it's becoming more and more popular as a non-invasive treatment to smooth out wrinkles and marks.
But we've been told some companies are buying cheap equipment and not training their staff properly which can lead to serious burns.
Amiee was scarred for life after having it done to get rid of her stretch marks:
"I could hardly walk after having the procedure. Over time it just got more and more infected and the whole stomach area from hip to hip is now just completely scarred. I had to go to the doctors and they were absolutely appalled at what I'd paid someone to do to my stomach.
"It was supposed to be a painless procedure but it was really painful, even though the lady had put numbing cream on for me. You could tell mine was very different from how it was supposed to be healing.
"They look so much worse than they were. I've binned all my bikinis. I was conscious about it anyway. Now it's just even worse - it looks horrible and I'll never weak a bikini again."
Amiee ended up needing a skin graft and, when she tried to take legal action against the salon that did the procedure, found out they didn't have insurance.
"Turns out that no laws were broken. Even though she wasn't insured, you don't have to be apparently which is ridiculous. What if you had your eyelashes done and they slipped and someone went blind? You don't need to be insured - it's ridiculous."
Fibroblast is most commonly used to smooth out wrinkles around the eyes but is also used on other parts of the body.
Now there are calls for more regulation of the treatment to make sure everyone who performs it is properly trained and insured.
Tracey Agar does the procedure in Leeds - she's been in the beauty industry for 37 years:
"There isn't a governing body for certain treatments like this when there should be. It's quite an invasive treatment so you need to know what you're doing to do this treatment and be trained thoroughly.
"Some companies will train people when they don't have the relevant qualifications and the training is far too short. It's quite an intense treatment and you need to have a good sound knowledge of skin and its anatomy."
Experts advise anyone wanting it done to do their research, making sure they're going to someone who's got the correct training and is also fully insured.