Experts have called for tighter regulation and improved consumer protection in the growing field of invasive cosmetic procedures, according to a Mar. 11 article in The BMJ.
The issue is significant as the global market for cosmetic procedures is expanding rapidly, with projections suggesting it will exceed $180 billion by 2033. Danielle Griffiths from the University of Liverpool and her colleagues said that this growth brings increased risks to patient safety, especially as more people travel abroad for such treatments.
Invasive cosmetic procedures involve inserting instruments or equipment into the body, such as tummy tucks and breast augmentation. Non-surgical options like botox and dermal fillers are considered minimally invasive, but experts warn that these are becoming increasingly invasive themselves, making it harder to distinguish between surgical and non-surgical interventions. While deaths from these procedures remain rare, evidence shows that complications are on the rise—particularly after patients undergo treatments overseas.
Side effects from botox injections can include inflammation, anxiety, dry eyes, vision problems, or nerve damage. Common complications following breast surgery or tummy tucks include wound separation (dehiscence), infection, and seromas (fluid-filled bumps under the skin). The authors noted that costs to the National Health Service vary and may be underestimated because there is no UK-wide system for reporting or tracking complications from private cosmetic procedures.
Recent government proposals aim to control unregulated non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the United Kingdom. However, implementation has been slow and significant gaps remain in protecting patient safety. The authors urged the UK government to adopt reforms similar to those introduced in Australia and other countries.
They recommended consistent regulation across all four UK nations so that high-risk invasive cosmetic procedures—both surgical and non-surgical—are performed only by trained healthcare professionals with standardized qualifications and oversight. They also called for a single set of guidelines on non-surgical cosmetic procedures applicable to all registered practitioners detailing requirements for training, assessment, consultation, and consent. Broader measures such as public education campaigns, advertising controls, and accredited practitioner registers were also suggested as essential steps toward ensuring reliable information and safe access.
