Tighter rules planned to protect people from cosmetic surgery that goes badly wrong — SkimNews
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- UK government will require high-risk cosmetic procedures like liquid Brazilian butt lifts to be performed only by doctors, with plans to pass legislation in spring 2027
- Health Minister Karin Smyth said the rules aim to drive 'cosmetic cowboys' out of the market and help people identify safe, qualified providers
- Under-18s will be banned from receiving high-risk cosmetic treatments including deep chemical peels, vampire facials, and dermal micro-coring
- Rogue providers could face criminal offences and fixed fines of up to £4,000 under the proposed regulations
- Royal College of Surgeons of England warned the proposals don't go far enough and could create loopholes if cosmetic surgery is less regulated than non-surgical procedures
- Alice Webb died hours after receiving a liquid Brazilian butt lift in 2024, highlighting the risks of unregulated cosmetic treatments
- Sasha Dean was left in a coma with organ failure after a liquid BBL performed in a private house, developing sepsis from the procedure
Why it matters: Unregulated cosmetic procedures have led to deaths and severe health complications, prompting new rules that raise the legal bar for providers. By restricting high-risk treatments to trained professionals and banning them for minors, the policy shifts liability and safety standards in a largely unregulated market, directly impacting clinics, patients, and enforcement agencies.
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