Tunisian aesthetic doctors warn against deadly illegal filler injections after French tragedy

Imene Ben Amara, president of the Union of Aesthetic Doctors, speaking on Mosaïque FM on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, highlighted the growing issue of injections performed outside medical settings. She emphasized that "fillers," or dermal fillers, are medical devices regulated by health authorities and must only be administered by qualified doctors. The proliferation of products sold outside official channels, often online, and the involvement of untrained individuals, including influencers, pose significant risks, from unpredictable reactions to fatal consequences.

Ben Amara stressed that injecting fillers is a medical act requiring anatomical knowledge. Tunisian law mandates that only doctors, such as dermatologists, aesthetic surgeons, or trained medical practitioners, are authorized to perform these injections; illegal practice carries criminal penalties. Despite this, unauthorized centers, home services, and social media promotions continue.

Ben Amara urged Tunisian authorities, including the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Commerce, to increase controls, close illegal aesthetic centers, and strengthen product surveillance. She also proposed an "electronic police" to monitor and shut down online pages and accounts illegally selling these products, acknowledging the digital nat