A doctor injects a patient's forehead with Botox AP

A DOCTOR has defended administering Botox to a teenage girl.

Jodie King was given the cosmetic treatment as an 18th birthday present from her mother.

Dr Mazhar Mahmood said Jodie, who is now nearly 20, had already had anti-wrinkle jabs by the time she went to his clinic in March this year.

He said he believed that, as she would continue to have Botox anyway, it would be better for her to be treated by an experienced doctor.

Jodie and her mother Margaret first went to the private Anti-Ageing Clinic in South Woodford, north-east London, on 3 March, to deal with "wrinkles".

Mahmood said: "The daughter had previously had treatment at another clinic on two or three occasions.

"She was unhappy with the results and came to me on a recommendation.

"There is no age limit per se - it's based on the individual needs. Some patients are suitable for treatment at a young age.

"I felt that because she had already been having treatment it would be better for her to be treated by someone experienced."

Mahmood, who is also a GP, said he charged £180 for the anti-wrinkle treatment. The effects last for at least four months.

Margaret, who has reportedly spent £45,000 on cosmetic surgery, gave the unusual present to her daughter after she complained about "wrinkles" on her forehead.

King, a housewife, 49, told Closer magazine: "Jodie's forehead is like mine - she gets pronounced lines when she makes a facial expression. I knew Botox would solve the problem."

Jodie, who works as a model, had her first injection in May 2007 and since then has become addicted, spending £1,000 on the cosmetic treatments.

According to the magazine, she first became concerned about her appearance as a 17-year-old schoolgirl.

She grew a fringe to hide her forehead and bought expensive anti-ageing creams but still felt uncomfortable.

"My friends' faces all looked much smoother," she said. "Although when I said 'my forehead is wrinkly' they told me it was OK."

The teenager described her mother, who has been under the knife for a nose job, two breast enlargements, a tummy tuck and a mini-facelift, as her role model when it came to looks.

Jodie said: "My mum's always looked so glamorous and she uses cosmetic surgery and Botox to keep her looking young. I plan to follow in her footsteps.

"So what if I'm a teenage Botox addict? I can't think of anything worse than looking old"

"So what if I'm a teenage Botox addict? I can't think of anything worse than looking old. I'll always find a way to pay for Botox. Now I've started I can't stop."