Unlicensed substance injected during cosmetic procedures

A Gwynedd woman, who claimed to be a trainee nurse, injected customers with a substance unlicensed for UK use during cosmetic procedures.

At Caernarfon Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday, 11 March), Carol Ann Edwards, 38, of Bethesda, was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order, 15 days rehabilitation, and ordered to pay a £500 fine plus £1,000 in compensation. She had pleaded guilty to two counts of Fraud by False Representation at a previous hearing on 12 January 2026.

The Court heard how two complainants had seen an advert of social media; booked and paid for Botox treatment with Edwards, trading as '5 Star Aesthetics'. They complained that the treatment wasn't having the desired effect and despite eventually being offered additional sessions, both were struggling to get a response from her.

Botox is a registered Trademark and registered medicine that must be prescribed following suitable consultation.

However, Ms Edwards had not been using Botox as advertised, but an unlicensed inferior alternative product, called Fraxin, which may have similar effect but is not authorised for use in the UK.

Anglesey Trading Standards received various complaints from customers in relation to treatments and the business owner's failure to respond to them between April and October 2023.

Due to the type of treatment and equipment involved, the complaints fell outside the remit of local Environmental Health licensing regime as the provision of non-surgical cosmetic procedures are currently unregulated.

Trading Standards officers contacted Ms Edwards with regards to her concerning trade practices and poor customer service. During discussions Ms Edwards informed officers that the substance she had used was not in fact 'Botox' but an alternative called 'Fraxin'.

Ms Edwards failed to acknowledge any problem with her actions. She also told officers she was a trainee nurse in the final year of her qualification. This was later found to be untrue.

Sentencing Judge Timothy Petts summarised that the two customers thought they were getting Botox and wouldn't have agreed if they had known it was an unlicensed alternative Fraxin with unknown side effects. Although the amount of monetary harm was relatively low the potential for harm was much higher. Things could have gone badly wrong.

He also added that the pre-sentence report had identified difficulties with mental health resulting in poor judgement as opposed to intention to cause harm; and that the compensation awarded was higher than just the cost of the treatment to reflect the additional strain on victims.

Anglesey's Public Protection portfolio holder, Councillor Nicola Roberts, welcomed the judgement.

Councillor Roberts added, "This was financial gain and unfair competitive advantage from substituting a premium medicine with a cheaper unlicensed alternative. Fortunately, the victims did not suffer adverse side effects. The deliberate misinformation given to customers, who thought they had received Botox, any could have been seriously hampered any emergency medical treatment. Thankfully, it was not needed."

Anglesey Trading Standards Manager, Emma Jones, warned residents to be careful when considering non-surgical cosmetic treatments. She added, "Although they may initially seem lower risk than surgical alternatives, unregulated cosmetic treatments do not require qualifications, licensing or adherence to any codes of professional conduct."

"In Wales, the mandatory licensing for special procedures, only applies to acupuncture, body piercing, electrolysis and tattooing. As such all other non-surgical cosmetic procedures, including 'Botox' and dermal fillers, continue to be unregulated."

Anyone considering such treatment should undertake significant research and ensure they are aware of the risks. Medicinal products, including 'Botox', should only be prescribed following medical consultation with a qualified professional. There is now a strict ban on remote prescribing, which requires all patients to have an in-person consultation before receiving treatment.

Ends 12 March 2026