This week news has broke about the tragic death of a 33 year old mother, who died after undergoing a liquid Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) here in the UK. While being often sold as a non-surgical safer option to a surgical BBL, the risk to complications are high, and we have been actively advocating a government ban on the procedure since 2023.
Ashton Collins, Director of Save Face:
"I am devastated to hear of Alice’s tragic passing. We launched a campaign in December 2023 calling upon the government to take urgent action to ban these procedures. We made it absolutely clear, that without urgent intervention someone would die - makes me incredibly sad and angry that Alice’s death could and should have been prevented.
Liquid BBL procedures are a crisis waiting to happen. They are advertised on social media as ‘risk-free’, ‘cheaper’ alternatives to the surgical counterpart and that could not be further from the truth.
We have supported over 500 women who have suffered complications because of these treatments, many of which have nearly died. Over 50% of the cases reported to us contracted sepsis and 39% needed corrective surgery. All of the procedures reported to us were carried out by non-healthcare practitioners who are carrying out incredibly dangerous procedures in unsterile environments.
I would advise anyone considering one of these treatments to avoid them at all costs. The risks significantly outweigh any associated benefits.”
In 2023, we undertook a survey of over two thousand registered healthcare professionals, and of those who practice aesthetic medicine, 99% said that they do not offer these treatments due to the “significant” risks involved. Amongst the respondents were plastic surgeons, doctors, and nurses, who despite their extensive experience and qualifications, would not expose their patients to the risks associated with these procedures.
The demand for these treatments is increasing exponentially as is the number of lay injectors offering them. With an average cost of over £2,000 per treatment, unscrupulous practitioners who have no healthcare experience are prioritising profits over patient safety and are leaving the NHS to pick up the tab and manage the complications. 96% of the patients who reported complications to Save Face were treated by NHS services after being ignored or misadvised by their practitioner.
While all procedures carry a level of risk, Save Face promote the use of practitioners that are safe, effective, genuine and are purchasing from licensed suppliers. We highly recommend to anyone who is considering any form of non-surgical cosmetic procedures to research the risks involved prior to treatment, and find a reputable practitioner who will be able to give you the correct advice and services.
Our government approved register holds over 800 UK practitioners and clinics that will be able to help you make informed decisions on safer treatments and procedures.
For further information on the dangers and risks with Liquid BBLs, you can visit our news pages.
For further information on procedures and finding a reputable practitioner in your area you can visit our treatment pages or use our clinic search.
If you are a practitioner looking for more information on how to be part of our government approved register, you can visit our registration pages.
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