Allergan Aesthetics, a leading global company in cosmetic medicine and part of AbbVie, has started a special training program for Nigerian doctors. The goal is to improve safety and stop dangerous injection practices as the cosmetic industry grows in Nigeria.
The training is being led by international experts through the Allergan Medical Institute. This marks the company’s official launch in Nigeria, in partnership with Pharaon Healthcare Nigeria Limited.
This is the first time Allergan’s products will be sold through a fully approved channel by Nigeria’s drug agency, NAFDAC. However, the company says its main goal is to give medical professionals the right knowledge and skills to perform safe and ethical treatments.
Allergan says it wants to improve Nigeria’s aesthetic industry by offering genuine products, fair prices, and top-quality medical training.
At the launch event, Dr. Xenophin Ludick, a South African expert and trainer for Allergan, said that patient safety must come before profits in cosmetic treatments.
You can’t just inject someone without knowing the science and how to deal with problems if they happen,” he said.
He warned that no matter how good the injector is, if the product is fake or handled badly, the patient will suffer—and this hurts the whole industry.
Dr. Ludick, who has trained many doctors across Africa and Europe, said Nigeria’s cosmetic market has big potential but needs better education, structure, and rules.
He said the industry is very delicate, and just a few bad cases caused by fake or mishandled products could damage public trust.
“Our mission is to give Nigerian doctors the same high-level knowledge used globally, so they can offer safe and reliable results,” he said.
The training will include lessons on facial anatomy, injection methods, choosing the right products, handling side effects, and how to consult with patients.
It will be open to everyone—from beginners to experienced doctors looking to improve their skills.
Dr. Ludick said the cosmetic industry changes fast, so constant learning is important. Even he learns new things at every international event.
He pointed out that social media is full of false information. Many fears about fillers come from fake stories or unapproved products, which is why training and using the right sources is essential.
He also said the global cosmetic market is entering a second period of growth, and Nigeria must be ready by properly training its healthcare workers.
He warned that even a skilled doctor can cause harm if the product is bad or stored incorrectly, especially with products that need careful temperature control.
His long-term goal is not just to train a few people but to raise the entire standard of aesthetic medicine in Nigeria.
“If a few doctors become highly skilled, others will follow. That’s how you improve the whole industry,” he said.
Anwar El Homsy, Regional Sales Manager of PHA (Allergan’s Nigerian partner), said it took over four years to get approval from NAFDAC to launch in a safe and legal way.
He explained they didn’t want to rush. The goal was to do it right—focusing on safety, education, and building a proper system for ethical practice.
He emphasized that Allergan’s products, like fillers and toxins, must be stored and handled correctly to work safely.
“You are injecting a strong substance into someone’s face, not something simple like paracetamol. It requires care and responsibility,” he said.
He added that many Nigerians used to travel abroad for treatment because they didn’t trust local options. Now, with approved products and proper training, they can get the same quality here.
El Homsy said the company will keep teaching Nigerian doctors the latest techniques, how to use products properly, and how to manage patients safely.
He also said that even though Allergan’s products are high-quality, they are priced fairly when you consider their safety and effectiveness.
“A cheap, fake injection that causes harm will cost much more in the end—both financially and emotionally—than a safe, quality treatment,” he said.
He praised NAFDAC’s strict testing and approval process, which included making sure the products work well in Nigeria’s climate.
“NAFDAC didn’t slow us down—they protected safety. We respect their standards,” he added.
Michelle Nixon, Head of Marketing for Allergan Aesthetics, said the company’s partnership with PHA is now the only legal way to get real Allergan products in Nigeria.
She said many products that claimed to be from Allergan before were probably unofficial imports that skipped proper checks.
“Neurotoxins are medicines. Fillers are medical devices. They must be prescribed by trained doctors and bought from legal sources,” she said.
Nixon said the company wants to educate both patients and doctors with the right information.
She advised Nigerian patients to ask their doctors where the products come from and to demand proof that they are real.
“The patient is the most powerful person in this system. Ask your doctor: ‘Is this from Allergan? Was it bought through PHA?’ That kind of questioning can change the industry,” she said.
She added that even though Allergan products were in Nigeria before, many were likely fake or imported illegally.
Now, for the first time, these products are coming through a legal, NAFDAC-approved route. This is a big step forward for patient safety.
She also said only trained medical professionals should give aesthetic treatments because fillers and toxins are not simple beauty products.
Nixon, who is also a molecular geneticist, urged Nigerian media to help educate the public about safe cosmetic procedures.
She said both media and the public should ask the right questions: Who trained the injector? Was the product stored properly? Where did it come from?
She concluded by saying that today’s beauty trends focus on natural looks and healthy skin, not just appearance—and Nigeria is ready for this change.
Aesthetic treatment is no longer just about looks. It’s about feeling confident and taking care of yourself. But it must be done safely,” she said.
