MPs Demand Immediate Ban on Brazilian Butt Lifts in UK
A parliamentary committee has called for an urgent ban on Brazilian butt lifts in the United Kingdom, describing the cosmetic procedure industry as a "wild west" where unregulated treatments are performed in dangerous locations like garden sheds, hotel rooms, and even public toilets.
Parliamentary Inquiry Uncovers Alarming Practices
The Women and Equalities Committee conducted a comprehensive nine-month investigation that revealed ministers are not acting quickly enough to address the significant risks facing British citizens. The committee's report specifically highlighted that high-risk procedures such as non-surgical buttock augmentation should be outlawed immediately without further consultation.
The committee chair, Sarah Owen, stated emphatically: "Procedures that are deemed high risk such as liquid BBLs and liquid breast augmentations, which have already been shown to pose a serious threat to patient safety, should be banned immediately. There is no need for further consultation and delay."
Current Regulatory Void Creates Dangerous Environment
Currently, there exists no regulation governing who can perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the UK. This includes injectables like dermal fillers and botulinum toxin injections, commonly known as Botox, as well as laser therapy and chemical peels. This regulatory vacuum has created what the committee describes as a "wild west" environment where procedures are conducted in unsafe locations including Airbnbs and hotel rooms.
The report warned: "This has led to a 'wild west' in which procedures have reportedly taken place in Airbnbs, hotel rooms, garden sheds and public toilets, leading to many individuals experiencing serious harm."
Tragic Cases Highlight Urgent Need for Action
The committee heard disturbing testimony during their investigation, including the case of Sasha Dean who was admitted to intensive care with sepsis and hospitalized for five weeks following a botched Brazilian butt lift procedure. More tragically, Alice Webb, a 33-year-old mother of five from Gloucestershire, died after undergoing a liquid Brazilian butt lift in September 2024.
Brazilian butt lifts involve injecting dermal fillers to increase volume and shape the buttocks, but when performed by untrained individuals in unsafe environments, they can lead to life-threatening complications.
Proposed Licensing System for Lower-Risk Procedures
Beyond calling for an immediate ban on high-risk procedures, the committee recommended establishing a comprehensive licensing system for lower-risk cosmetic treatments within the current parliament. This system would ensure that only properly qualified professionals could perform these procedures.
The MPs expressed concern that: "The government is not moving quickly enough in introducing such a system. At present, individuals without any formal training can carry out potentially harmful interventions, placing the public at risk."
Social Media Influence and Body Image Concerns
The committee also examined the underlying factors driving increased demand for cosmetic procedures. MPs suggested that more people are turning to these treatments due to body image issues exacerbated by social media platforms and face-editing technologies. They raised specific concerns about influencers "normalizing" high-risk procedures without adequately addressing the potential dangers.
Government Response and Industry Expansion
The Department of Health and Social Care responded to the report, stating they would consider its findings and "respond fully in due course." A spokesperson emphasized: "This government is taking action to crack down on cosmetic cowboys and root out dangerous treatments. Our tough new measures will ensure only qualified healthcare professionals will be able to perform the highest-risk procedures."
Sarah Owen highlighted how regulation has failed to keep pace with industry growth, noting: "In 2013, the head of the NHS warned that a person having a non-surgical cosmetic intervention has no more protection than someone buying a toothbrush. Over a decade later the only thing that has changed is the number of people suffering life-changing and life-threatening injuries."
The committee concluded that the lack of timely government action was "fostering complacency in self-regulation" within the cosmetic procedure industry and urged ministers to "accelerate regulatory action" to protect public safety.
