Botox patients should undergo mental health screening, experts say

Experts say compulsory mental health screening before accessing cosmetic injections such as botox would lead to improved satisfaction and prevent psychological harm. Photograph: Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Images

People seeking cosmetic injections such as botox or filler treatments should undergo compulsory mental health screening in order to stop vulnerable patients worsening pre-existing psychological conditions and increasing their risk of self harm, experts say.

Calls for clinicians to be trained to conduct psychological assessments come amid demands for greater regulation of the cosmetic injectables industry after Guardian Australia reported serious side-effects following an a common procedure to dissolve facial filler.