A woman had to be taken to hospital after undergoing a Brazilian butt lift at a Glasgow hotel, sparking an investigation by security guards.
It comes after thousands of pounds of unlicensed products used in cosmetic injections were seized from a warehouse in the city in a separate incident earlier this year.
Boxes of dermal fillers, needles and vials of Botulinum toxin, commonly known as botox, worth thousands of pounds, were seized by officers from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU) in January.
Environmental health officers from the council and MHRA officers inspected the premises on an industrial estate in the north of the city following complaints from the public and concerns raised by Police Scotland about the type of products being stored, distributed and sold from the facilities.
“Environmental Health is currently investigating a recent incident where a woman was hospitalized following a Brazilian butt lift procedure at a Glasgow hotel”
Councilor Ruairi Kelly
During the audit, many unapproved beauty products were seized, including nearly 400 non-compliant dermal fillers and 320 non-compliant needles/cannulas, as well as more than 180 vials of unlicensed and suspected botulism.
It comes after Glasgow’s Environmental Health team received a growing number of complaints about practices and procedures at beauty clinics.
Last month, people were urged to contact Edinburgh City Council if they had booked a procedure known as a non-surgical Brazilian butt lift (BBL).
Other local authorities in the UK have received complaints after carrying out similar procedures resulting in people suffering serious health complications such as sepsis.
Councilor Ruairi Kelly, the neighborhood services convener for Glasgow, highlighted the dangers of using unlicensed fillers and over-the-counter botulism toxin.
He said: “The use of unlicensed and unapproved products and over-the-counter drugs in some beauty clinics is a serious concern. It is illegal and endangers people’s health.”
“Our Environmental Health team has received an increasing number of complaints about practices and procedures at cosmetic clinics in Glasgow that do not need to register with Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS).”
Councilor Kelly said demand for these types of operations is high and practitioners are traveling across the UK to have pop-up clinics in locations that are not suitable for this type of treatment.
“Environmental Health is currently investigating a recent incident where a woman was hospitalized after undergoing a Brazilian butt lift procedure at a Glasgow hotel,” he said.
“People should be extremely careful when considering cosmetic procedures. If they go wrong – the consequences can be painful, disfiguring and require urgent medical attention.
“Our Environmental Health officers are carrying out inspections of the city’s beauty salons to help protect the public and will continue to take enforcement action where necessary.”
Andy Morling, MHRA deputy director (criminal enforcement), said: “Drugs like these are powerful and dangerous in the wrong hands, potentially leading to serious negative health consequences.
“Criminals who trade these products are not only breaking the law, they have no respect for people’s safety.
“It is illegal to advertise, sell or supply medicines like these without the proper licence. If you see these products or other powerful drugs being sold on social media or elsewhere online, be very careful. It is highly unlikely to be legal. You can help the MHRA take action by reporting your concerns through the Yellow Card scheme.
“Our crime enforcement unit will continue to work to protect your health by disrupting this harmful and illegal trade. We are grateful to our partners at Glasgow City Council and Police Scotland for helping us in our efforts to do this.”
What is botulinum toxin?
Botulinum toxin is a drug used for the management and treatment of therapeutic and cosmetic purposes.
It is commonly referred to as botox by the brand name of the same name.
The injections relax the facial muscles to smooth lines and wrinkles, such as crow’s feet and frown lines. Dermal fillers are injected into the face and lips to fill in lines and wrinkles and add volume to areas such as the cheeks.
Botulinum toxin, which is a prescription only medicine (POM) should only be used if prescribed by a competent person (eg doctor, nurse, etc.) and after individual consultation between the client and prescriber. Botulism toxins should also be labeled with the name of the person receiving the injections.
Beauty clinics that employ a medical professional such as a doctor, nurse or dentist must be registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS). But there is no such requirement for those who do not employ a registered medical practitioner.
The Scottish Government is considering developing a licensing system for aesthetic activities.
What is a BBL?
A surgical fat transfer involving the bottom is often known as a Brazilian butt lift (BBL).
Fat transfer surgery is a cosmetic surgery to transfer fat from one part of the body to another. It is also known as “fat grafting” or “lipomodeling”.
The goal is to remove unwanted fat from one area of the body, such as the abdomen or thighs, and use it to smooth out or increase the size of another area, such as the chest or bottom.
A liquid BBL uses hyaluronic acid filler and is advertised as a cheaper alternative to surgery. It usually costs between £2,000 and £3,000.
Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance used in dermal fillers.
The NHS warns that BBLs can be expensive, results are not guaranteed and there are risks.
In the UK, a surgical fat transfer usually costs between £3,000 and £8,000, depending on the procedure you have and the size of the area being treated.
There may be additional costs for consultations, aftercare and any further treatment sessions you require.
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