The UK government have revealed plans to introduce tough new measures to tackle dodgy cosmetic practitioners who are putting people’s health at risk.
Under the new plans, which were announced less than 24 hours ago, the government have said only qualified health professionals will be able to perform risky non-surgical Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs) and clinics will need to meet strict criteria to obtain licenses to offer filler and Botox.
What’s more, people under the age of 18 will be restricted from viewing potentially dangerous beauty trends on social media with age restrictions – a measure which came into force last month – placed on certain procedures.
The news comes after Alice Webb became the first person in the UK to have died after receiving an unregulated BBL. Alice tragically passed away at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in September 2024.
Currently non-surgical BBLs – a procedure which involves inserting silicone-filled implants and/or removing fat from other parts of the body before injecting into the buttocks – aren’t illegal in the UK.
However, in 2024 Wolverhampton City Council banned an organisation from performing the procedure after discovering the risks associated with it. These included blood clots, sepsis and the potential for the death of body tissues.
Industry experts have welcomed the new rules, though the government still needs to clearly confirm how they plan on introducing the measures.
Professor David Sines CBE, chair and registrar of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP), said: ‘This government commitment is a major step towards improved patient safety in England. It will protect the public from untrained and inexperienced operators, and it will save the NHS a considerable amount of time and money putting right the harm done through botched procedures.’
‘Ensuring that all cosmetic practitioners are regulated and licensed to a new national education and training standard, that they are appropriately insured and that they work from safe premises will be warmly welcomed,’ Professor Sines continued. ‘This new commitment has our full support, and we welcome the opportunity to engage in further consultation.’
At the moment, the plans announced by the government are subject to public consultation and must make their way through parliament before they can be enforced.
Photo by karelys Ruiz via UnSplash
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