Surgeons respond to Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announcement: ‘Crackdown on unsafe cosmetic procedures to protect the public’

Mr Tim Mitchell, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), said:

“The government’s move to regulate non-surgical aesthetic procedures is an important first step forward for patient safety.  

“It’s encouraging to see recognition of the risks associated with procedures such as liquid Brazilian Butt Lifts. However, we believe this procedure, along with any intervention designed for buttock, breast or genital augmentation, should only be performed by a Cosmetic Surgery Board Certified surgeon. Medical oversight is essential to prevent serious complications and protect individuals from lasting physical and psychological harm and, at worst, death. 

"These plans could help improve regulation of lower-risk non-surgical interventions, but the government must also urgently improve regulation of surgical procedures – ensuring only surgeons who are Cosmetic Surgery Board Certified can perform such operations. This will ensure high standards of care, reduce avoidable harm, and give patients the confidence they deserve when seeking aesthetic treatments.”

ENDS

Notes to editors: 

1. The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP), of which RCS England is a member, released new guidance (October 2024) on buttock augmentation and other body contouring procedures, particularly addressing the risks associated with Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs) and similar procedures. It said such procedures should only be performed by ‘appropriately trained specialist surgeons... who possess additional qualifications to undertake surgical procedures and have proven and ongoing competence’. 

2. The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) provides world-class education, assessment, and development to 30,000 surgeons, dental professionals, and members of the wider surgical and dental care teams, at all stages of their career. Our vision is to see excellent surgical care for everyone. We do this by setting professional standards, facilitating research, and championing the best outcomes for patients.  

3. Find out more about the Cosmetic Surgery Board Certification. 

4. For more information, please contact the RCS England press office: telephone: 020 7869 6053/6054/6060; email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk; out-of-hours media enquiries: 0207 869 6056.