According to a new report, A cosmetic clinic was ordered to remove an ad promoting its vaginal rejuvenation treatment, which featured Real Housewives of Cheshire star Tanya Bardsley after it was deemed “misleading” and “irresponsible.”
Bristol-based Vivo Clinic used a video of the ITVBe reality star undergoing the procedure, which she referred to as "minky tightening", on its website. In the clip, the mother-of-four is seen clutching a glass of Prosecco as the procedure is going, while co-star Dawn Ward, who is also there for moral support.
After a complaint by Refinery29 UK was made, the clinic was found in breach of two rules by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and was ordered to remove the video from its website, according to The Sun. The complainant accused the company of trivializing the “potentially dangerous” procedure by claiming it can be “performed on your lunch break.”
ASA also claimed that the use of the video was “irresponsible” as Bardsley and Ward are seen laughing and joking about the treatment.
The ASA statement read: "We acknowledged that the Femiwand procedure, which involved the insertion of a probe into the vagina, was non-surgical but was nonetheless not without risks and was not something which should be undertaken lightly."
It also ruled Vivo Clinic's ad was "misleading" because it failed to find evidence to support claims the procedure was effective at treating the conditions it highlighted.
“They said that there was credible evidence from their patients to show that their treatment improved vaginal and mental health,” the ASA judgement read, according to The Sun.
“We had not seen any documentary evidence to demonstrate that the FemiWand was a CE-marked medical device or licensed by the MHRA or under the auspices of EMA.
“Because of that, no medical claims could be made for the product. In addition, we had not been provided with any documentary evidence to support the claims that the product could be used to provide treatment for the conditions listed in the ad.
“We therefore concluded that the ad breached the Code.”
Meanwhile, the clinic said the FemiWand product was a “CE marked device” and as with any non-invasive or cosmetic procedure, “there was always contraindications”, but there was “no evidence to suggest the Femiwand procedure was harmful.”
ASA also was not to found seeing Ward and Bardsley laughing, while Tanya was having treatment. “The video featured the woman’s comical reaction to the procedure while her friends were seen drinking Prosecco and laughing,” they said in a statement. “We considered that the casual and humorous style of the video clip coupled with the frivolous message ‘FemiWand is a 20-mintue procedure that can be performed on your lunch break’ trivialised the nature of the procedure.”
But the clinic denied the ad was irresponsible, arguing the video was filmed for The Real Housewives of Cheshire and that Tanya had received real treatment.
It also claimed patients had reported "improved vaginal and mental health".
As spokesperson of the ITVBe hit reality show said in a statement about the clinics controversial advert. “The Vivo advertisement features unauthorised use of footage from The Real Housewives of Cheshire. The clinic has been contacted on multiple occasions to request that they discontinue using The Real Housewives and ITVBe brand. This product is not and has never been endorsed by ITVBE, The Real Housewives of Cheshire or members of the cast,” reports The Sun.
Photo Credit: ITVBe
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