Health

Sugarbox Clinic warns against dangers of unregulated cosmetic treatments and black market products

Monday, 2 June 2025 12:03AM UTC

Sugarbox Clinic in Risca highlights rising risks from unqualified practitioners and unsafe products amid cosmetic industry boom, urging clients to verify credentials and demand face-to-face consultations to ensure safe, ethical treatments.

The rapid expansion of the cosmetic treatment industry has brought with it a troubling rise in unregulated practices and unsafe products. Sugarbox Clinic, located in Risca, is sounding the alarm bells, urging potential clients to take informed steps when considering aesthetic enhancements. Founded by registered nurse Chantalle Coombes, the clinic is dedicated to maintaining high standards of safety and transparency, emphasising that clients should always verify the credentials and methods of those administering these increasingly popular treatments.

According to reports from Save Face, a non-profit organisation that promotes safety and best practices in the cosmetic sector, there has been a notable uptick in adverse events linked to unqualified practitioners and black market products. These unregulated treatments can lead to serious complications, including severe infections, allergic reactions, and even permanent tissue damage. Such dangers highlight the pressing need for individuals to choose only reputable and qualified providers. Coombes stated, "At Sugarbox, we strictly follow NMC guidelines, including ensuring that every client is seen for a face-to-face consultation before any prescription is issued."

Recent discussions within the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) reflect broader concerns, prompting the organisation to review guidelines surrounding the prescription of common cosmetic treatments. Many prospective clients remain uninformed about the regulatory classification of certain procedures, such as anti-wrinkle injections and fillers, which are considered prescription-only medicines. These nuances can significantly impact the safety of individuals seeking enhancement, especially if they are unaware that the injector may lack the necessary medical qualifications.

In light of these concerns, Sugarbox Clinic advocates for public vigilance. The team encourages clients to ask essential questions before receiving treatment: Who is prescribing the medicine? Has a thorough face-to-face consultation taken place? Are products sourced from licensed suppliers and fully traceable? These inquiries are critical to ensuring that care is both safe and ethical, helping to steer individuals away from the perils associated with black market offerings. Coombes explained, "Save Face registration gives our clients peace of mind because they carry out detailed checks on our credentials, training, hygiene standards, and complaint procedures."

The dangers of black market treatments are increasingly well-documented. Research highlights incidents involving unregistered practitioners performing cosmetic surgeries, occasionally resulting in grave complications, including nerve damage and even fatalities. Such alarming reports underscore the necessity for stringent regulation in a sector where individuals often exploit body image concerns for profit. A parliamentary committee has also expressed worry that unregulated clinics are exploiting vulnerabilities, leading to calls for a licensing regime that would better safeguard patients and ensure industry accountability.

Additionally, the conversation around safety in the cosmetic industry invariably returns to the topic of voluntary registers for practitioners. While these may seem helpful, some experts argue they risk creating a two-tier system that could allow rogue traders to operate without adequate oversight. This sentiment reinforces the call for a mandatory registration system to elevate standards across the industry uniformly, ensuring patient safety above all else.

As the aesthetic treatment landscape continues to grow, the message from clinics like Sugarbox is clear: prospective clients must be diligent and informed. The risks associated with unlicensed procedures are real and potentially devastating, making it vital to seek out qualified practitioners committed to ethical treatment and safety. As Chantalle Coombes eloquently put it, “We want to reassure our clients—and educate the wider public—that safety, transparency, and regulation are non-negotiable in our practice.”

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/25205086.sugarbox-clinic-raises-concerns-cosmetic-treatments/?ref=rss - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.myblissclinic.com/blogs/the-dangers-of-black-market-facial-treatments/ - This article discusses the significant risks associated with black market facial treatments, including the use of counterfeit products and unlicensed practitioners. It highlights the dangers of unregulated procedures, such as severe infections, allergic reactions, and tissue damage. The piece emphasizes the importance of choosing reputable and qualified providers to ensure safety and efficacy in aesthetic treatments.
https://www.aafps.com.au/uncategorized/the-dangers-of-black-market-injectables-backyard-facial-plastic-surgery/ - The article sheds light on the dangers of black market injectables and unlicensed cosmetic procedures. It reports on incidents where unregistered practitioners performed cosmetic surgeries, leading to severe infections, nerve damage, and even death. The piece underscores the importance of seeking treatments from licensed professionals to avoid such risks.
https://www.thepmfajournal.com/education/how-i-do-it/post/debate-voluntary-registers-for-medical-cosmetic-practitioners-friend-or-foe - This article debates the effectiveness of voluntary registers for medical cosmetic practitioners. It discusses concerns that such registers may lead to a two-tier system, allowing rogue practitioners to operate without oversight. The piece advocates for a mandatory register to ensure consistent standards and patient safety in the cosmetic sector.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/aug/02/unregulated-clinics-exploit-anxieties-about-appearance-say-mps - The article reports on a parliamentary committee's warning about unregulated clinics exploiting individuals' body image concerns. It highlights the risks associated with unlicensed cosmetic procedures, including infections and disfigurement. The piece calls for a licensing regime to protect patients and ensure safety in the cosmetic industry.
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ihuman/our-work/marginalised-humans/humanity-under-duress/dark-side-human-enhancement-crime-and-harm-lifestyle-drug-trade - This research explores the darker aspects of human enhancement through lifestyle drugs, including the use of unregulated cosmetic procedures. It discusses how individuals seeking affordable beauty treatments may turn to risky alternatives, leading to health complications. The study emphasizes the need for regulation and informed decision-making in the cosmetic enhancement market.
https://pipelinemedical.com/blog/risks-of-unapproved-dermal-fillers-and-injectables-fda-insights/ - The article outlines the risks associated with unapproved dermal fillers and injectables, including infections, tissue necrosis, and permanent damage. It discusses the prevalence of counterfeit injectables in the aesthetic market and the importance of using FDA-approved products to ensure patient safety and treatment efficacy.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative appears to be original, with no exact matches found in recent publications. However, similar concerns about unregulated cosmetic treatments have been reported in the past, such as a 2019 article highlighting unsafe practices in cosmetic surgery clinics ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/oct/29/one-in-five-cosmetic-surgery-clinics-unsafe-warns-cqc?utm_source=openai)). The report's freshness is bolstered by the inclusion of recent data and statements from Sugarbox Clinic's founder, Chantalle Coombes, indicating a timely response to ongoing industry issues. ([saveface.co.uk](https://www.saveface.co.uk/en/clinic/sugar-box-clinic?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score: 9

Notes: Direct quotes from Chantalle Coombes, such as "At Sugarbox, we strictly follow NMC guidelines..." and "We want to reassure our clients..." are unique to this narrative. No earlier instances of these exact quotes were found, suggesting original content. ([saveface.co.uk](https://www.saveface.co.uk/en/clinic/sugar-box-clinic?utm_source=openai))

Source reliability

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative originates from the South Wales Argus, a local newspaper with a history of reporting on regional issues. The inclusion of statements from Chantalle Coombes, a registered nurse and founder of Sugarbox Clinic, adds credibility. Additionally, references to Save Face, a non-profit organisation promoting safety in the cosmetic sector, further support the report's reliability. ([saveface.co.uk](https://www.saveface.co.uk/en/clinic/sugar-box-clinic?utm_source=openai))

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The concerns raised about unregulated cosmetic treatments align with previous reports, such as a 2022 article discussing the exploitation of individuals by unregulated clinics ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/aug/02/unregulated-clinics-exploit-anxieties-about-appearance-say-mps?utm_source=openai)). The narrative's focus on Sugarbox Clinic's commitment to safety and transparency is consistent with industry standards. However, the absence of specific data or case studies in the report slightly diminishes its overall plausibility score.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative presents original content with unique quotes from Chantalle Coombes and references to reputable organisations like Save Face. While similar concerns have been reported previously, the inclusion of recent data and statements from Sugarbox Clinic's founder indicates a timely response to ongoing industry issues. The source, South Wales Argus, is a local newspaper with a history of reporting on regional matters, and the plausibility of the claims is supported by previous reports on unregulated cosmetic treatments. Therefore, the narrative passes the fact-check with high confidence.

cosmetic treatments
health and safety
Sugarbox Clinic
unregulated practices
black market
NMC guidelines