The Department of Public Health are urging anyone considering an invasive or injectable beauty and lifestyle treatment to stop and ask who, what and how.

A statement from the GHA follows below:

• WHO? Who is giving you the treatment and what are their qualifications and experience.  Are they registered to practice in Gibraltar? Do they need to be? 
• WHAT? What is it that you are being injected with?  
• HOW? Look and watch what the person is doing. Contaminated or re-used needles can  spread HIV or hepatitis B infection. Contaminated infusions can result in septicemia  otherwise known as blood poisoning.  

An advice and information sheet has been developed by the Department of Public Health in  partnership with the Gibraltar Medical and Nursing Registration Boards, the GHA Chief  Pharmacist, the Office of Fair Trading, and HM Customs. This is available online at:  https://www.gha.gi/public-health/invasive-beauty-treatments/ 

The Director of Public Health, Dr Helen Carter, said: ‘It’s important that if you have any questions  or concerns regarding a treatment, address these with the practitioner using these FAQs as a  guide. If you are considering a beauty and lifestyle treatment and have questions that are not  covered by the FAQs, please email [email protected] for guidance and support.’  

The Minister with responsibility for Public Health, Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: ‘Please don’t take any unnecessary risks and make sure you are comfortable with the treatment and who is giving it  to you.’