Cowboy cosmetologists who leave their customers at risk of permanent scarring or even death are being targeted in a new government crackdown.
Under the new measures, procedures such as non-surgical or ‘liquid’ Brazilian Butt Lifts must only be performed by specialists working in places registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
According to the Department of Health, these kinds of invasive treatments have been carried out by unqualified people in unsafe locations like homes and hotels.
Currently, the CQC only regulates cosmetic treatments that involve surgical procedures like liposuction, facelifts or tummy tucks.
New oversight will also come into effect for lower-risk procedures such as Botox, facial dermal filler and lip fillers under a new licensing system run by local authorities.
Health Minister Karin Smyth said: ‘The cosmetics industry has been plagued by a Wild West of dodgy practitioners and procedures.
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‘There are countless horror stories of cosmetic cowboys causing serious, catastrophic damage.’
She added: ‘This isn’t about stopping anyone from getting treatments – it’s about preventing rogue operators from exploiting people at the expense of their safety and keeping people safe.
‘We’re giving them peace of mind and reducing the cost to the NHS of fixing botched procedures.’
Last September, 34-year-old Alice Webb died in a Gloucestershire hospital after reportedly undergoing a non-surgical Brazilian butt lift.
The treatment involves injecting dermal filler, often made of hyaluronic acid, into the buttocks.
Two people were subsequently arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with Alice’s death, before being released on bail.
A campaign launched by register site Save Face and backed by the mum-of-five’s family called for ‘Alice’s Law’, which would make it illegal for anyone other than a registered plastic surgeon on the GMC specialist register to perform the treatment.
Katrina Marshall, who suffered from extreme pain and infections after undergoing cosmetic surgery on her breasts, stomach and buttocks in Turkey, reacted to the changes: ‘If it means no one goes through what I went through, then it’s a bonus.’
She added: ‘It’s a hard one, because it doesn’t matter how many times people say don’t do it, they’re going to do it anyway.
‘I just think for the UK, they just need to be on the ball with it.’
New restrictions are also planned for high-risk cosmetic procedures on under-18s, unless they’re authorised by a healthcare professional.
British Beauty Council CEO Millie Kendall said: ‘I am please to hear of the Government’s commitment to regulating and licensing the aesthetics sector following its consultation.
‘The Council is dedicated to ensuring that people can engage with beauty safely; people should be able to look and feel as they please without the threat of something going wrong.’
However, the Royal College of Surgeons questioned whether the new moves go far enough to protect patients.
Tim Mitchell, the organisation’s president, said the announcement was ‘encouraging’ and ‘an important first step forward’.
He continued: ‘However, we believe this procedure, along with any intervention designed for buttock, breast or genital augmentation, should only be performed by a Cosmetic Surgery Board Certified surgeon.
‘Medical oversight is essential to prevent serious complications and protect individuals from lasting physical and psychological harm and, at worst, death.
‘These plans could help improve regulation of lower-risk non-surgical interventions, but the government must also urgently improve regulation of surgical procedures – ensuring only surgeons who are Cosmetic Surgery Board Certified can perform such operations.’
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