A committee of MPs is set to investigate the health impacts of breast implants and other cosmetic procedures.
The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) last week launched an inquiry into the effectiveness of current regulations covering surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, such as breast implants.
The inquiry is due to examine the processes used to ensure people understand the procedure they are getting and what the potential risks and long-term consequences of each procedure could be.
Related Article: Practice nurses concerned over ‘strain’ on NHS caused by surgeries abroad
It will also explore the trend of cosmetic tourism, including the risks of travelling abroad for cosmetic procedures and the impact such procedures are having on the NHS.
One practice nurse, La Toya de Freitas, described how GPNs were seeing ‘a lot’ of patients who need support after they have undergone surgeries overseas.
A district nurse, Nicola Smith, also said she had seen a recent rise in patients presenting with ‘horrendous wounds’ after having procedures abroad.
‘It’s really scary,’ she said.
WEC chair Sarah Owen MP for Luton North said a ‘thorough assessment’ of regulations for cosmetic surgeries was needed.
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She recalled the ‘shocking testimony’ the committee had heard during an evidence session in May.
MPs heard from one speaker who shared how she had developed sepsis after having a liquid Brazilian Butt lift (BBL).
The committee is now looking for further evidence to be used in its analysis of how cosmetic procedures completed abroad could be better regulated to protect patients.
And it is is inviting feedback from anyone who feels they are able to answer its questions in its call to evidence, which closes on Friday 4 July 2025.
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What questions is the WEC looking for a response to?
Risks, regulation and enforcement
- What health impacts have people experienced following cosmetic procedures (both surgical and non-surgical and including breast implants)?
- How effective are current informed consent processes in ensuring individuals understand the risks and long-term implications of cosmetic procedures?
- How effective are existing regulations in a) ensuring the safety of products used in cosmetic procedures? And b) ensuring that people delivering cosmetic procedures are adequately qualified/trained?
- How effective are existing bodies in monitoring and enforcing standards?
- Is further regulation required for surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, if so, what should such regulation look like?
Education
- How effective are current public education efforts in helping individuals make informed decisions about cosmetic procedures, and what improvements could be made to ensure people fully understand the risks?
Research
- What are the gaps in research around the safety of cosmetic procedures, including breast implants?
Remedy and recourse
- What recourse should individuals have when procedures go wrong or products are faulty, and is further legislation or regulation required to support that recourse?
Cosmetic tourism
- What are the risks of travelling outside the UK to undergo cosmetic procedures and how should those risks be communicated?
- Should, and if so, how, can the NHS be protected from the costs of corrective treatment for procedures undertaken privately, both within and outside the UK?
