Review of the Regulation of Cosmetic Interventions

Review of the Regulation of Cosmetic Interventions

Final Report

April 2013

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Review of the Regulation of Cosmetic Interventions

Final Report

Prepared by the Review Committee

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Contents

Contents..................................................................................................................................... 4 Foreword.................................................................................................................................... 5 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... 7 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 9 Overarching Objectives............................................................................................................ 13 High Quality Care..................................................................................................................... 15 Ensuring Safe Products ........................................................................................................... 29 Informed and Empowered Public ............................................................................................. 35 Responsible Advertising and Marketing ................................................................................... 40 Accessible Resolution and Redress......................................................................................... 44 Appendix 1 ............................................................................................................................... 49 Appendix 2 ? Risks of dermal fillers ......................................................................................... 51 Appendix 3 ? Risks posed by laser treaments ......................................................................... 53 Appendix 4 ............................................................................................................................... 56 Glossary................................................................................................................................... 58 References............................................................................................................................... 63

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Foreword

This group was asked to review regulation in the cosmetic interventions sector following the PIP implant scandal which exposed woeful lapses in product quality, after care and record keeping. It also drew attention to widespread use of misleading advertising, inappropriate marketing and unsafe practices right across the sector. Cosmetic interventions are a booming business in the UK, worth ?2.3 billion in 2010, and estimated to rise to ?3.6 billion by 2015. They can either be surgical ? such as face-lifts, tummy tucks and breast implants ? or non-surgical ? typically

dermal fillers, Botox? or the use of laser or intense pulsed light (IPL). These latter account for

nine out of ten procedures and 75% of the market value. We were surprised to discover that non-surgical interventions, which can have major and irreversible adverse impacts on health and wellbeing, are almost entirely unregulated.

In fact, a person having a non-surgical cosmetic intervention has no more protection and redress than someone buying a ballpoint pen or a toothbrush.

Dermal fillers are a particular cause for concern as anyone can set themselves up as a practitioner, with no requirement for knowledge, training or previous experience. Nor are there sufficient checks in place with regard to product quality ? most dermal fillers have no more controls than a bottle of floor cleaner. There has been explosive growth in this market, driven by a combination of high demand and high profits in an era when all other commercial income is stalling.

It is our view that dermal fillers are a crisis waiting to happen.

Previous attempts at self-regulation in the industry have failed, largely because voluntary codes have meant that only the best in this disparate sector commit themselves to better practice, whilst the unscrupulous and unsafe carry on as before.

Throughout our meetings, discussions and correspondence with stakeholders from all groups, professions and experts, the call has been for a new legislative framework. Taken together, our recommendations provide that framework for both surgical and non-surgical interventions. They set out a range of actions to ensure practitioners have the right skills, the products used are safe, providers are responsible, people get accurate information and support is available if things go wrong.

These recommendations are not about increasing bureaucracy but about putting the everyone's safety and wellbeing first.

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