Cairo Nakhate-Chirwa, a rapper known as Lavida Loca, underwent a non-surgical Brazilian butt-lift (BBL) procedure in June and was pleased with the results. However, she later discovered that the procedure was unregulated and potentially dangerous. Despite a risk of complications and lack of regulation, non-surgical BBL procedures are becoming increasingly popular, and some experts argue that not enough is being done to protect patients in the UK.
Non-surgical BBLs involve the injection of filler into the buttocks to make them fuller or more lifted, but they are not currently regulated in the UK. Experts have called this lack of oversight in the cosmetics industry a “wild west,” and NHS England has warned against having the procedure altogether. The Department of Health and Social Care says it is evaluating regulatory options in the non-surgical cosmetics sector, but it has not provided an update.
Cairo used Instagram to find a practitioner who could give her a liquid BBL for £1,200, but she did not check if the individual was a qualified medical professional. She now regrets not doing more research and discovering the risks associated with the procedure beforehand. Non-surgical BBLs can take place in clinic rooms, rather than sterile operating theatres, and there have been reports of the procedures happening in hotel rooms.
Although Cairo’s liquid BBL didn’t lead to any complications, serious risks are associated with the procedure. One worry is that the injection can cause a blood clot, which can travel to the lungs and be deadly. Infections, scarring, significant deformities, and reactions to local anaesthetics are other potential hazards. Although the death rate for liquid BBLs is unknown, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons reports the procedure is associated with a higher complication rate than other non-surgical procedures.
NHS England warns against having a non-surgical BBL, and the Department of Health and Social Care encourages individuals to use reputable, insured, and qualified practitioners. Physicians and industry leaders alike emphasize the importance of regulation in the sector. However, experts note that societal factors and personal motivations also play a role in people’s decisions to undergo cosmetic procedures
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