The Health Minister is looking at new ways to tackle Ireland's 'botox boom.'
Simon Harris is considering banning botox and cosmetic fillers for people under 18.
There has been a major increase in the number of men and women getting botox and fillers, according to recent studies.
Health Minister Simon Harris is now expressing concern after doctors recently warned about the increase in patients presenting in hospitals after botched procedures.
There are also concerns around filling materials as it is not categorised as a drug but as a medical device - which means it can be bought online and and be administered by someone with no medical training.
Minister Harris has asked his Department of Health Officials to see if there's a need to further regulate the industry and whether a minimum age should be introduced.
In a statement, Minister Harris says 'I am conscious that this is an industry that is continuing to grow and particularly worryingly, it is targeting young men and women. There are a number of reasons for this including a desire by young men and women to be perfect driven by social media. But there are also companies and professionals who are exploiting that for their own gain. Many of these products are being offered cheaply, without prior assessment of the person and by professionals who are not regulated in this country.'
He added 'this cannot be an area that goes 'unregulated or unsupervised'.
