COSMETIC procedures can be deadly, especially if you fall into the hands of a rogue practitioner.
But the ‘tweakments’ industry continues to gather pace with a whopping 7.7 million Brits – 11% of the population – going under the needle in 2023.
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The UK’s non-surgical cosmetic industry was valued at an estimated £3.6 billion in 2023, according to Gov.UK – but it is still mostly self-regulated.
Whether you want a sharper jawline, fuller lips or a more dramatic transformation, it’s crucial to choose a qualified professional who is both reputable and, most importantly, safe.
Alice Webb, 33, died after undergoing a liquid Brazilian Bum Lift (BBL) at a studio in Gloucester on Monday evening.
The mum-of-five is the first woman to lose her life to the procedure in the UK, according to beauty campaign group, Save Face.
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She was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital when the procedure “went wrong” but tragically died in the early hours of Tuesday.
The most common BBL treatment is surgical, which usually involves liposuction to draw fat from a different part of the body, before it is injected into the bottom and thighs.
Meanwhile, a liquid BBL sees dermal fillers injected into the same area to give a more rounded, larger bum.
Liquid BBLs are said to be less invasive and require less healing time, but doctors are now warning that they are just as deadly as the surgical kind.
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following Alice’s death – including a Kim Kardashian-obsessed TV star dubbed the “Lip King”.
Real name Jordan James Parke, he confirmed his arrest over Alice’s death to MailOnline, but said: “I can’t talk to anybody.”
The self-confessed surgery addict – who has appeared on E!’s Botched and Channel 4’s Bodyshockers – has a private Instagram profile with a link to another page called The Lip King Aesthetics.
In the wake of Alice’s death, doctors are urging people to do extensive research when choosing an aesthetic practitioner.
That includes Amish Patel, an ex-pharmacist who opened his own aesthetic clinic, Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic, following extensive medical training at the Royal College Of General Practitioners.
Speaking exclusively to Fabulous, he urged against liquid BBL treatments as they can lead to tissue death, blocked arteries and sepsis.
Who was Alice Webb?
Alice Webb was the first person to die in the UK from a Brazilian Bum Lift treatment.
The mum-of-five, 33, is believed to have had a liquid BBL at a home studio in Gloucester on the evening of Monday 23 September.
Cops rushed to a house on Monday evening at around 11.30pm after the alarm was raised, with ambulances already at the scene.
Alice died at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in the early hours of Tuesday.
Gloucester Police confirmed two people had been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over the horror.
“This procedure is something I would never recommend to anyone,” he says.
“Apart from the risk of infection, there is also a risk of incorrect injection techniques, which can lead to tissue death, sepsis and obstruction to arteries.”
Face treatments like lip filler, anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers are often deemed to be “safer” options than surgery and body “tweakmeants” – but Amish says finding the right practitioner is still imperative.
Here, here reveals the five red flags to watch out for before going ahead.
1. Too good to be true? It is
Amish says never be lured in by a great price for filler as it’s not a cheap procedure for medical professionals to perform.
“Reputable aesthetic practitioners don’t just pluck prices out of the air,” he explains.
“We charge a certain amount because quality injectables – with research and good safety standards behind them – cost money.
“That increases the price of the end products to you, the client.
“So, if the price seems much cheaper, this should be a big red flag as costs are being cut somewhere along the line.”
2. Licence to fill
Safe and reputable practitioners with a medical background will have some form of certification available either on their website, or in their clinic.
If not, they should be happy to provide proof of their credentials when asked, Amish says.
How to choose a safe aesthetic practitioner
Choosing an ethical and legitimate aesthetic practitioner is the key to having safe ‘tweakments’.
The first thing you should look out for is someone with a medical background – such as paramedics, pharmacists, nurses and doctors.
Practitioners on the Save Face register are also a safe bet.
Save Face is a register for medical aesthetics, whereby practitioners and clinics have to pass a rigorous 116 point assessment process to join.
Practitioners listed on the register are also appropriately trained in each of the treatments listed on their profile, and fully insured.
“You wouldn’t go to your butchers for a haircut, so why would you put your face in untrained hands and put your health and looks at high risk?” he warns.
“Medical aesthetics should only be undertaken by someone with medical training and extensive expertise in this area.
“Do your research.”
3. Bundles, packages and ‘bring a pal’ deals
Brits are a nation of bargain hunters – but this should not be the case when it comes to aesthetic treatments.
A number of rogue practitioners in London and Manchester offer “5ml Kim Kardashian/Kylie Jenner bundles”, promising to recreate the celeb sisters’ appearance if you buy a filler bundle at a reduced price.
It’s a ploy which Amish is staunchly against.
It’s also crucial that your practitioner has the training and knowledge to spot any potential issues that would require immediate medical intervention
Amish Patel
He explains: “This approach is morally wrong and will disrupt the natural harmony in your face – the whole ethos of dermal fillers is to enhance your natural beauty.
“I have seen first hand the damage these types of packages do to faces through referrals for dissolving fillers.
“As for sharing dermal fillers with friends? This presents a tremendous opportunity for cross-infection, and no reputable practitioner would dream of offering it.”
4. Not fit for emergencies
Even with the most qualified practitioners, urgent medical help might be needed if you have an adverse reaction to filler, or something goes wrong during the treatment.
Firstly, if a practitioner doesn’t highlight potential risks ahead of treatment, it’s time to walk away.
Secondly, you want to choose someone who knows what to do in an emergency situation, no matter how unlikely it is.
It’s crucial that your practitioner has the training and knowledge to spot any potential issues that would require immediate medical intervention
Amish Patel
“Should you require urgent intervention, does your practitioner have access to emergency drugs?” Amish says.
“This is vital should you require these.
“It’s also crucial that your practitioner has the training and knowledge to spot any potential issues that would require immediate medical intervention.”
5. Location is key
If you walk into an aesthetic clinic, but it’s set up in a bedroom or kitchen – walk out.
“If it’s a dedicated clinical space, the practitioner can clean effectively between clients and maintain good hygiene standards,” Amish reveals.
“When it comes to having injectable treatments in a general multi-purpose space such as someone’s kitchen, you run a higher risk of cross-infection.
“That risk is upped just by putting yourself within that setting.”
