Unregulated Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs) are being performed in living rooms, hotel rooms, and Airbnbs with dangerous consequences for patients, MPs on the Women and Equalities Committee were told this week.
Ashton Collins, director of Save Face, an organization representing registered aesthetic practitioners, described a looming “crisis” due to weak regulations allowing unqualified individuals to perform high-risk procedures using unlicensed products. Collins called for urgent legal reforms, including the introduction of Alice’s Law, named after a young mother who died following a BBL, to ensure only qualified surgeons can perform such invasive surgeries.
“These procedures are happening on the high street and in people’s homes, using drugs decanted from large containers into syringes and injected in massive volumes,” Collins said. “When complications arise, these practitioners often misdiagnose or dismiss serious medical issues—putting countless lives at risk.”
Survivor Testimony: Misled and Nearly Killed
The committee also heard from Sasha Dean, who nearly died from sepsis after her BBL procedure. She spoke of being “lulled into a sense of security” by unregulated providers and emphasized the shocking lack of oversight.
“Anyone can carry out these tasks, no qualifications are required,” Dean said, describing the trauma she endured after being misled about the safety of the procedure.
Social Media Fuelling a Crisis
Collins warned that social media is a “breeding ground for unethical practitioners” who aggressively market these procedures to vulnerable young people. “The scale of misleading information is vast,” she said, noting that influencers often glamorize surgeries without disclosing the risks.
Medical Experts Urge Stronger Regulation
Professor Vivian Lees, vice-president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, echoed concerns over lax regulations. She noted the global cosmetic surgery market is expected to triple within a decade, and with it, the number of complications.
“We urgently need a regulatory framework that protects the public and supports legitimate medical professionals,” Lees told MPs.
Overseas Cosmetic Surgeries Also Pose Risks
The trend of seeking cheaper surgeries abroad—including BBLs, weight loss procedures, and dental work—was also highlighted as a growing concern. At the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) conference in Liverpool, senior nurses reported seeing a rise in patients returning to the UK with severe complications, including life-threatening infections and antibiotic-resistant wounds.
Nicola Smith, an RCN delegate, described “horrific wounds” suffered by young people who sought treatment overseas, often lured by the promise of a “holiday for £6,000” that included surgery.
NHS Warns of Strain and Urges Caution
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director of the NHS, issued a stark warning: “Even with appropriate standards, these procedures can go wrong. The NHS is often left to manage complications from private or overseas surgeries, putting pressure on already stretched services.”
He urged individuals to carefully evaluate the safety and aftercare provisions of any cosmetic surgery provider, whether in the UK or abroad.
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