BAPRAS condemns trivialisation of non invasive surgical procedures highlighted on the final of TV's the Apprentice

BAPRAS has condemned the trivialisation of non-invasive surgical procedures highlighted on the final of TV show The Apprentice and reiterates call for increased regulation of cosmetic surgery practices

Mark Henley, Chair of BAPRAS' Independent and Aesthetic Practice Committee and a consultant plastic surgeon, said:

“Last night’s broadcast of Leah Totton’s win on The Apprentice, and the comparison made on the show between ‘Cosmetic procedures and Cupcakes’, highlights the on-going trivialisation of non invasive cosmetic surgery procedures and dismisses the associated risk of physical and emotional harm in favour of financial gain and entertainment.

“At a time when all professionals are collaborating with Sir Bruce Keogh to improve cosmetic surgery practice and protect the vulnerable, it is a concern that a very junior doctor can make claims to be an authority in this field and provide the direction and clinical judgement that only comes with experience.

“BAPRAS believes it is critical that regulation around the types of medical devices and standards of practitioner training that can be used for performing cosmetic interventions is increased in order to ensure patient protection. 

“Specifically, we urge that all practitioners using fillers and toxins by injection should be able to demonstrate appropriate training in the field, which cannot be undertaken in short day courses as are currently available. They must maintain full records of treatments and record outcome data to a standard that can be audited independently. 

“BAPRAS also recommends the registration of all injectable materials as medical devices, including both absorbable and permanent fillers, and thereby ensuring they are subjected to the appropriate regulatory procedures, this would bring the UK into line with normal practice in the United States under FDA law.

“Many of our priorities are shared by other mainstream professional associations and were included as part of Sir Bruce Keogh’s Review of Regulation on Cosmetic Interventions.  We hope that Parliamentary approval and support is urgently achieved so that the detailed implementation work can begin and patients can be sure of high quality care and controlled outcomes at all times.  In the meantime, we continue to urge the public to beware of promotional hype and carefully consider the experience of people they are trusting to perform cosmetic interventions on their bodies.”

BAPRAS’s primary aim is to drive professional standards, education and innovation across all aspects of plastic surgery in order to ensure that patients in the UK receive consistent safe and best practice interventions.