SCHOOLGIRLS as young as 13 are having Botox injections to mimic "perfect" celebrities as surgeons warn of a self-esteem emergency, plastic surgeons have warned.

Dr Nick Lowe is one of the dermatologists who pioneered the treatment in the early 1990s when he discovered that botulinum toxin could be used to soften the signs of ageing.

Despite dedicating his life to researching Botox, he told the Sunday Times Magazine he felt "very concerned" at what had happened to the industry.

"Girls are having treatment at an age when they don’t need it — we’re seeing more body dysmorphic syndromes and a terrible loss of self-confidence," he said.

"They’re convinced that looking like a celebrity is going to make them happier and more successful. It’s extremely sad and very worrying."

There are no legal age restrictions on having Botox and it is considered badly regulated by those in the industry.

It is absolutely vital that regulators start to pay attention and put a stop to inappropriate celebrity endorsements or the targeting of vulnerable young people with self-esteem issues

Mark Henley, president of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, told the publication: “It is absolutely vital that regulators start to pay attention and put a stop to inappropriate celebrity endorsements or the targeting of vulnerable young people with self-esteem issues.”

Girls as young as eight were found to be targeted by online cosmetic surgery apps and games that mimicked the effects of procedures, a report by the Nuffield Council of Bioethics discovered.

The council has previously called for people under 18 to be banned from all cosmetic treatment.

Superdrug has previously come under fire for offering a £99 Botox treatment, though the stores said it would refuse to treat under-25s.

Boots previously trialled a similar service back in 2002, but took a financial hit and withdrew it.

What is Botox?

Botox is the trade name for a substance injected into the skin which is known to inhibit muscle movement, and that can prevent wrinkles from developing or worsening.

The name ‘Botox’ actually comes from the word ‘botulous’ – which means sausage.

It is called this because the substance is related to a naturally occurring poison, which can occasionally be found at dangerous levels in bad meat products.

However, while it has been described as “the most poisonous substance known”, it all comes down to purity and dose when used safely for cosmetic purposes.

Cosmetic Botox injections work by blocking the nerve signals to certain muscles, thus relaxing them.

This reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the skin.

The cosmetic surgery industry in the UK is worth £3.6billion, with non-surgical treatments such as Botox and fillers making up nine out of 10 procedures.

Ashton Collins, of Save Face, a Government-backed register of accredited practitioners, expressed concerns that a cheaper price would "trivialise" the product.

“It creates a perception of that being a good price," she said. "People may then go to someone else charging that who isn’t safe. It also adds to the trivialisation of Botox or fillers."

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