A WREXHAM doctor has spoken of the dangers of cheap and unregulated cosmetic enhancements.

As a growing number people seek to iron out 'imperfections', to look like celebrities and reality TV stars such as the Kardashians, more are turning to cheap and unregulated providers of facial enhancements, or carrying out the procedures themselves at home, putting their health at risk.

It is a concern for dermatology specialist and former GP Dr Keli Thorsteinsson, a partner at Freyja Medical on Chester Street, Wrexham town centre, who has noticed the growing number of people turning to cheap procedures undertaken by others who may lack medical knowledge and expertise.

He said: "Just the other day I saw someone in town with who had obviously had lip filler, and lumps had formed on their lips, most likely because the body had rejected it.

"Getting botox and lip fillers is becoming just like getting a haircut now for some people.

"At least twice a month we get someone who comes in, who has had a treatment they shouldn't have done, and anyone under the age of 30 we turn away unless they have a serious reason for wanting treatment, like having been in an accident.

"It's difficult to believe, but anyone can buy filler and start injecting it.

"At least botox is prescribed and needs a doctor or nurse, but filler is something just anyone can buy and try and teach themselves to do, maybe by watching a YouTube tutorial or something.

"There is no-one regulating this at the moment, it's shocking - it really needs advertising standards, the government or councils to look into it.

"If you go to a doctor, they are regulated by the general medical council and will understand the facial anatomy."

Highlighting the dangers of what could go wrong, Dr Thorsteinsson said: "The face is full of blood vessels, and if you inject filler into a blood vessel, you can kill the skin.

"The worst case scenario, if you're working around someone's eyes, you could blind them.

"You have to explain the risks. Nobody actually needs filler in their face and it is my job to explain to people the negatives.

"For example the fillers we use cost £100 to begin with, so if you see individuals or places offering treatments much cheaper, you need to ask yourself 'how do they achieve that price?' Is it a cheap product from somewhere like China that hasn't been checked?"

Dr Thorsteinsson and nurse Nia Hughes suggested that with more and more younger people and teenagers seeking perfection, influenced by online picture filters such as on Instagram, along with body dysmorphia it could be a subject that is added to the sexual health curriculum in schools.

But for now, they hope people will think carefully about cosmetic treatments, and do their research.

He added: "Beware of those working alone.

"I've met plenty of good beauticians in my time and if they are working with a good nurse or doctor, can carry out simpler treatments if the doctor is there.

"It takes years of experience to diagnose whether someone might have a skin disease, to select the right treatment, to know what conditions someone has that could preclude them from having a treatment.

"There is no depth of understanding about these things unless you're a Dermatologist."