Should I make a complaint about this woman?

[Cantbebothered31]

I won some free beauty treatment on Instagram for a clinic, should've known it was too good to be true. Upon arriving I was told by the aesthetician that not everyone is suitable for the treatment (skin treatment).
She then told me that there were various offers on at the clinic atm and asked if I had any problem areas. I told her I was keen to remove the acne around my chin area.
She then took a photo of me and blew up my face on a big screen. Then, without me asking, she started telling me all the cosmetic work I need doing.
She told me that I've got facial sagging (I'm barely over 30, how much sagging can I really have?) That my face isn't symmetrical (is anyone's?)
Smokers' lines (I've never smoked in my life) dark circles, my top lip is uneven, and so on.
I didn't ask for her opinion on any of it. How saggy am I really going to be in my very early 30s?
The only good Feedback she gave me was on my acne. Of course I was then their 'perfect' candidate for filler at £700.
I wasn't a suitable candidate for the free procedure, how convenient.
Then they had the cheek to ask me to leave a review.
Luckily I'm not taking to heart what she said. I bet a supermodel could've walked in and they'd find something to say she needs doing. However I think they're really rude and irresponsible. Someone very impressionable and with low self esteem could hear that and believe everything they say, and shell out for work they don't need.
I know this is how they make money, what would you do? Report it?

Write an honest review

That would really set me back.
As someone who struggles to even look in the mirror as my self esteem is so low, I can totally understand how you feel.

Trading Standards. Older Mumsnetters may remember the "free family photos" scam run at fairs/school parties in the days before everyone used the internet/smartphones.

You entered into a ballot for "free photos" (but every one won with their name and address, unbeknownst to you).

You went to get your photos taken. You found you only got a microscopic "free" one but had to pay over the odds for any others or enlargements.

Same old, same old.

I'm not sure they're breaking any laws here.

That's not to say the whole thing isn't dodgy as hell, but you say yourself they just tried to put you off, not that they refused to go ahead at all.

I think your experience was horrible and it would have left me with the same feeling.

however what she thinks she is doing is giving you the gift of her expertise as a consultant, which she believes costs X amount per hour.

but wrong of her to be misrepresenting her offensive advice under the auspices of a competition to win a treatment

Oh that’s a point OP- you might not have been the only ‘lucky winner’

If you have acne in your thirties (and I do sympathise), you need to take yourself to a dermatologist who can really make a difference, rather than trying these sorts of things at clinics like this. As a teenager I was known as the girl with the big spots (it was character-building at least). At 16 I got to a dermatologist who brought it under control. Eventually in my late twenties, I took roacutance which was like a miracle for me - yes dry skin, yes blood tests, and you mustn't get pregnant for a certain amount of time on it and after it. But I finally had skin that was not troublesome.

I have had very discreet filler and botox. It was done by a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist. They have the kind of skill and knowledge of face anatomy to make it look utterly natural. (No, they didn't touch my lips or attempt to change my facial structure.) No beauty therapist with who knows what training is going to be injecting my face with anything.

This. Don't let them get away with it. Nasty, unprofessional behaviour, regardless of business trying to up sell.

Agree about you trying roaccutane (isotretinoin) to fix the acne (if you're not trying for a baby as is can cause serious defects) Ask your gp for a referral

@Cantbebothered31 surely you could say ‘ok what equivalent value treatment am I suitable for instead’

Id report to Trading Standards. Its a well known scam done by various businesses with a false offer they cant meet so they can upsell you.

Disgusting to add onto that by trying to trash your feelings about yourself too.

Leave a review too, fuck em.

Yes this, give specific details which make it hard for them to retaliate.

Also, I bet your face is lovely and doesn't need any of what they recommended! Some of these people are grotesque and need calling out.

I would leave an honest review saying you went there for a free treatment and you didn’t get it and to be aware that it’s probably a ploy to get you in and offer you other treatment instead.

I’d say it’s quite common to push other products and services.
If I get a trim at the hairdressers they usually hint that it would look nice dyed a different colour etc.

She sounds rude though and I’m glad you didn’t get swept up in it as this is obviously what they do to everyone.

Thanks, I'm just looking for the ad on Instagram to see what it says. The thing is she had clearly had every procedure going, which is up to her but she didn't look any younger, just like somebody who'd had lots of work done.

Roche Possey do a free 15 min consultation for skincare. They have some good acne products & send a link to 15% off any of their products. Sorry they were so nasty. Reminds me of the time I went to Dentist & they tried to sell me all sorts of treatments when I’ve always had great teeth.

Between her and the Instagram competition there was blatantly a scam to sell some crap and make money.

I would me sure to keep an eye on the Instragram page and put a scathing comment to any further competitions that they run.

That said I would have walked out the door as soon as it became obvious they were trying to fleece you.

This. They can't complain about you being factual, and yes, they might write a similarity bitchy reply, but who cares? They won't do anything else. If enough people write reviews like that, the bitchy replies really look dishonest, and hopefully they'll lose some business.

Contact trading standards too. Fuck em.

See if the ad or a newer version is still running too. Presumably if a prize hasn't been claimed it will be re advertised/re raffled etc

Definitely leave a review. You can use an alternative email address for the review. Sounds like they were out to scam people.

You can check if the clinic belongs to a trade association and report it to them

What they’re doing is probably illegal. I’d report them to Trading Standards for not complying with the normal competition requirements and ask them to investigate.

Some Salons don’t pay the correct NMW to some of their staff citing all sorts of nonsense reasons. A few years ago, Trading Standards decided to go after dodgy salon owners and a fair few have since been prosecuted and ordered to pay outstanding wages to their staff.

Don’t let them get away with their dodgy antics.

britishbeautycouncil.com/trade-body-affiliates/

If you dont plan to go back, write your real name with all the info above. Sounds like a complete scam and you definately dont need any of the treatments suggested in your early 30’s (or at any point in life!).

Yes, leave an honest review - the worst they can do is say something snarky back, which you are not obliged to read.

"I was excited to win a "free" beauty treatment, but disappointingly was told I was unsuitable for it at the appointment. The consultation felt like it was used as an opportunity to push a sale in quite an unpleasant way. Not recommended."