Botox clinics - coming to a mall near you

Bargain botox could be coming to a shopping mall near you.

Discount clinic Oz Skin has forged a deal with Westfield Australia and plans to open 13 clinics in the next 18 months. It already has a clinic at Westfield Helensvale, Queensland, where botox costs A$9.90 ($12.78) a unit, around 60 per cent cheaper than elsewhere.

Oz Skin chief executive Deb Farnworth-Wood said she would be open to having franchises in New Zealand.

"Expansion is happening quickly. We wouldn't say no. We've never had to advertise for franchisees, they've all approached us," she said.

Westfield New Zealand general manager Linda Trainer also confirmed the shopping centre giant would be open to leasing space to cosmetic clinics.

"We look to keep up with the times and evolve the mix of shops we have," she said.

But Face Doctors director Dr Mark Murunga was concerned these clinics could attract impulsive patients.

"From a medical perspective, I would be most concerned about 'quick fix' botox clinics in a plaza, particularly if they were offering reduced prices."

College of Appearance Medicine chairwoman Dr Teresa Cattin said the organisation would not oppose Westfield clinics, so long as legal requirements were met.

The Medical Council and Ministry of Health said there were no regulations preventing an appearance medicine clinic opening in a shopping centre.