Dermatologist Marinos Sizopoulos has raised serious questions about how Botox treatments are carried out in Cyprus and about how effective inspections by the competent state services are. He claims the situation has remained unchecked for years, despite repeated complaints and despite the authorities having been informed.
The main concerns
Speaking to Sigma TV, Mr Sizopoulos focused his allegations on three issues:
- Injectable products being administered by people who are not specialists
- Doctors from abroad practising without the required registration in Cyprus
- Patients not being properly informed about the products used in their treatments
Botox from people without medical qualifications
According to the dermatologist, one of the most serious problems is injectable treatments being carried out by people without the necessary medical training.
He explained that administering botulinum toxin is a medical procedure. It must be carried out by suitably trained doctors, in premises that meet the required standards.
He expressed concern about cases in which such services are offered by beauticians, hairdressers or others without the required medical qualifications.
He also criticised what he described as a lack of meaningful intervention by the competent services. He claimed that, despite complaints submitted over time, no systematic inspections are carried out and the necessary penalties are not imposed.
Visiting doctors from abroad
Mr Sizopoulos also raised the issue of doctors who visit Cyprus from other countries to offer cosmetic treatments.
He alleged that some of these practitioners are not registered with the Cyprus Medical Register but carry out injectable treatments in premises that do not operate as licensed clinics.
He further claimed that these individuals then leave the country without meeting the tax obligations arising from their professional activity.
To tackle the problem, he called for stricter oversight and the effective enforcement of penalties. He said the absence of consequences allows such practices to continue.
Limits of each medical specialty
Mr Sizopoulos also raised the issue of respecting the limits of each medical specialty. He pointed out that botulinum toxin is not used only for cosmetic purposes. It is a pharmaceutical substance with applications in other fields of medicine, including neurology and the treatment of certain muscle disorders.
However, he stressed that a doctor’s experience in using the product for one indication does not mean they can administer it for any other condition.
Using his own specialty as an example, he explained that although he has experience applying Botox as a dermatologist, this does not entitle him to carry out treatments that fall within the remit of other medical specialties.
Training linked to professional status
As an indication of the situation he described, Mr Sizopoulos said a nurse had contacted him asking to be trained in administering Botox.
He insisted that such training must be linked to each health professional’s qualifications, specialty and permitted scope of practice.
