Increased fines prove that illegal tooth whitening does not pay

Authorities are now clamping down on those carrying out tooth whitening illegally, and courts are increasing the severity of the fines and convictions being handed out.

One of the latest criminal convictions saw a former reality TV personality, Chelsey Harwood, being ordered to pay more than £11,000 by Liverpool Magistrates’ Court after being found guilty of illegal tooth whitening.

In a similar case, business owner, Harjeet Jolly, was ordered to pay more than £9,000 by Derby Magistrates’ Court for being found guilty of the same charges.

By law, tooth whitening should only be carried out by a qualified dental professional.

Campaigners for safe tooth whitening, the Tooth Whitening Information Group, wants to warn beauty therapists against providing illegal tooth whitening.

Lead coordinator of the Tooth Whitening Information Group, Karen Coates, says the temptation to draw in new clients by offering the procedure could end up costing beauty therapists their livelihood, jeopardise their future, as well as give them a criminal record.