The government is launching a new campaign to warn the public over the dangers of ‘botched’ cosmetic procedures.
The campaign comes after an increase in deaths for surgeries such as the ‘Brazilian butt lift’.
Warnings surrounding self-injected dermal and lip fillers will also be included as part of the campaign.
‘Anyone considering a cosmetic procedure should take the time to find a reputable, safe, and qualified practitioner,’ the Department of Health told the BBC.
‘They should make sure they understand the impact of any treatment on their physical and mental health.
‘We’re working to improve the safety of cosmetic procedures.
‘This will be through better training and clear information, so that people can make informed decisions about their care.’
Professional advice
The campaign, scheduled to start in ‘the coming weeks’, will encourage the public to seek professional advice about cosmetic procedures.
It’s hoped this will tackle the number of ‘botched’ procedures and reduce the cost to the NHS following these treatments.
Lip fillers make up almost 70% of corrective work, according to an ITV News survey.
‘My top lip was touching my nose and it was then that I started to realise just how much pain I was in,’ Rachael Knappier, who suffered injury after lip augmentation, told ITV News.
‘It felt like a burning throbbing pulsating feeling, it was as if my lips were just seconds away from bursting.
‘The filler had been injected into an artery and it’s the artery that runs from the centre of your lip, so it was causing a mass blockage.
‘Left untreated that leads to necrosis, which is the death of the soft tissue on your lip.
‘That’s irreversible damage.’
Tighter regulations
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has been calling for tighter regulation on fillers.
It has welcomed the campaign to highlight the damage that can be caused by ‘botched’ procedures.
Nora Nugent, member of the council of BAAPS, told the BBC she believes improved education hasn’t matched an increase in cosmetic procedures.
‘To perform an invasive procedure, with any injectable treatment, that person at the very least should have some medical training,’ Ms Nugent said.
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