CIEH and JCCP welcome injunction against butt-lift injector

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) have welcomed an injunction against Brazilian butt-lift (BBL) injector Ricky Sawyer.

The injunction, which follows an investigation run by environmental health practitioners at Trafford Council, bans Mr Sawyer from carrying out cosmetic procedures across England and Wales until 27 May 2028. A power of arrest is attached to the order. Mr Sawyer will have an opportunity to challenge the order at a court hearing within 21 days.

The BBC has reported that the judge, in granting the injunction, “concluded that the breadth of the order was necessary to prevent further public harm”.

As part of their case for the injunction, the council used new enforcement guidance for buttock augmentation and other body contouring procedures launched last year by the JCCP with support from CIEH, the British Beauty Council, the Royal College of Surgeons and the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.

The guidance was developed in response to reports of significant public harm being caused by the inappropriate administration of buttock augmentation procedures by unqualified practitioners.

Mark Elliott, President of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, said:

“This is a tremendous achievement on the part of local environmental health practitioners. It reflects the efforts of environmental health practitioners more widely to tackle the risks posed by cosmetic procedures in the absence of a proper regulatory framework.

“There has been a big increase in the prevalence of cosmetic procedures in recent years, fuelled by social media, the proliferation of high street beauty outlets and a dramatic increase in the range of procedures available. The regulatory framework has failed to keep pace with what is happening.

“We believe that the most high-risk cosmetic procedures, such as the BBL, should be designated as surgical and undertaken only by appropriately trained, regulated and experienced GMC-registered doctors.

“We are also urging the Government to implement the proposed new England-wide licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures. This scheme will help to ensure that people who undergo non-surgical cosmetic procedures receive treatment from practitioners who are properly trained and qualified, have the necessary insurance cover and operate from premises that are safe and hygienic.”