Founder of safety group in Leeds backing calls for action on high-risk aesthetic treatments
MPs have heard unqualified practitioners are carrying out procedures like liquid BBLs, often in unsafe settings
Last updated 14th Sep 2026
Government delays in banning unqualified practitioners from performing high-risk cosmetic procedures such as liquid Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs) are “prolonging a significant risk to patient safety”, MPs have warned.
It comes after the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) heard that people are performing surgery “involving scalpels and vast quantities of anaesthetic” in living rooms and salons.
The committee said it has been waiting seven months for a response from the Government to its report, which called for an immediate ban on high-risk procedures being performed on the high street.
In a new follow-up report, MPs reiterated the recommendation that the highest-risk cosmetic procedures should be immediately restricted, and all practitioners performing cosmetic surgery should be required to have specialist training and appropriate board certification.
It also called for the Government to set out a timetable for wider reform in the sector.
Christine Jardine, WEC interim chairwoman, said: “WEC’s report warned back in February that procedures that are deemed high risk such as liquid BBLs and liquid breast augmentations, which have already been shown to pose a serious threat to patient safety, should be banned immediately.
“However, the committee is yet to receive the Government’s response almost seven months on.
“MPs are deeply disappointed by this significant delay. It leaves important recommendations unaddressed and patients’ safety at significant risk.”
It comes after the WEC heard from Ashton Collins, co-founder of Save Face - whose HQ is based in Leeds, the register for safe medical aesthetic practitioners, and Nora Nugent, cosmetic surgeon and president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.
Ms Collins told MPs the risks to patients “have now escalated to a point where I don’t think anybody could have imagined”, with unqualified practitioners “performing plastic surgery procedures involving scalpels and vast quantities of anaesthetic in people’s living rooms and in dingy salons on the high street”.
She said Save Face has helped more than 1,200 women to date who have had complications with either liquid BBLs or liquid breast augmentation.
More than half developed sepsis and were admitted to hospital, while a further 40% needed “extensive corrective surgery” or ongoing district nurse care.
Ms Jardine added: “It is clear that high-risk procedures are still being carried out and that they are being delivered by unqualified practitioners and in unsafe settings.
“This delay in government action in this area is prolonging a significant risk to patient safety.
“Today’s report reiterates WEC’s recommendations that the Government should place restrictions on the highest-risk cosmetic procedures immediately and that all practitioners performing invasive surgical cosmetic procedures should be required to have specialist training and hold appropriate board certification in the procedures they undertake.
“The Government should also set out a timetable for wider reform of the sector.
“Our recommendations have been echoed by leading professional bodies.
“While it is positive to hear a licensing system for non-surgical cosmetic procedures will be introduced within this Parliament, this issue requires much faster regulatory progress, particularly in high-harm areas, and the Government is not moving quickly enough.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “This Government is committed to protecting the public and keeping them safe from rogue practitioners.
“We have worked with experts to develop tough new measures to ensure only qualified healthcare professionals can perform these high-risk cosmetic procedures.
“We will soon be consulting on this new legislation including restricting all cosmetic surgery to doctors who are regulated to strict standards set by the General Medical Council and who work from Care Quality Commission regulated settings.
“For anyone considering a cosmetic procedure, please check the provider’s qualifications and insurance and avoid treatments that appear suspiciously cheap.”