With the news of the tragic death of Alice Webb after she underwent a non-surgical Liquid Brazilian butt lift (BBL) procedure, our thoughts go out her family, friends and anyone else affected by comparable incidents.

Dr Christopher Smith-Brown, PHIN's Clinical Analyst, says:

"Alice’s story highlights the dangers of unregulated treatments and the importance of being able to make informed decisions about what procedures we undergo, who they are conducted by and where.

“I would advise anyone considering a liquid BBL by non-healthcare practitioners to avoid them at all costs. The risks can lead to serious harm and even tragedy in the case of Alice."

"PHIN has over 490 plastic surgeons registered on our website who have both GMC registration and post-graduate training in cosmetic surgery. PHIN has also called for an increase in quality and safety by supporting the Department of Health & Social Care’s consultation on the Licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures earlier this year."

If you are considering cosmetic surgery, it is important to find out:

Is the hospital or clinic registered with a regulator e.g. the Care Quality Commission (CQC)?

Is the healthcare professional registered with a relevant national organisation e.g. Royal College of Surgeons (RCS), or the Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP).

You should always have an initial consultation to understand the:

  • proposed treatment plan
  • quality of care available
  • potential risks
  • expected outcomes (including how long it will take to recover, what you will look like following cosmetic surgery) and any lasting side effects

Follow-up care as even if everything about your procedure is done to the highest standards what happens afterwards can impact your health.

You should never feel pressured into a procedure on the day. You should feel comfortable with the person who will be conducting your procedure and we highly recommend that you only receive treatment from a fully qualified practitioner.

Our independent, government-mandated website provides hospital and consultant information that will be able to help you make informed decisions on safer treatments and procedures.

More information on cosmetic surgery

See our guide on Cosmetic Clinics and what to watch out for for further information. 

For further information on the dangers and risks with cosmetic surgery, you can visit our news pages.

For further information on procedures and finding a consultant in your area you can visit our search page.

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