BABTAC Warns Against 'Liposuction Courses' for Beauty Therapists Amid Rising Concerns

Following an investigation by the BBC into training centres offering one-day "fat reduction masterclasses" for beauty therapists, the British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (BABTAC) has issued a strong warning against unregulated liposuction courses for non-medics. These courses, marketed as fat reduction training, have raised serious health and safety concerns, with BABTAC stressing that liposuction is a surgical procedure legally restricted to trained medical professionals in the UK.

Lesley Blair MBE, CEO and Chair of BABTAC, voiced urgent concern: “Liposuction is a surgical procedure which beauty professionals are absolutely not equipped to perform. It should only be carried out by surgeons. Consumers need to be aware of the risks to their health when going to unqualified practitioners for surgery.”

This warning follows disturbing findings from the BBC. Some beauty therapists, trained by salons like Luxury Medical Aesthetics and Academy in London, left their clients injured and, in one case, hospitalised after an internal organ was accidentally "hit" during a procedure. Videos from a trainee, Sarah Guy, revealed severe hygiene issues, with "blood splatter up the walls" and used gauze swabs left around. According to Guy, participants were unaware that they were receiving training in a type of surgical fat reduction rather than non-invasive fat dissolving, as they had been led to believe.

Luxury Medical Aesthetics, run by sisters Daria and Monika Wisniewska, has faced multiple complaints but has not responded to requests for comment, even blocking messages from BBC reporters. Consultant plastic surgeon Dalvi Humzah reviewed the footage and criticised the clinic's practices, warning that basic hygiene protocols were being ignored, heightening the risk of infection and complications, including septicaemia.

Blair reiterated the need for immediate legislation to prevent unqualified operators from performing high-risk treatments and to establish consumer safety standards in the industry. BABTAC is advocating for a licensing scheme and supporting its consumer campaign, T.I.M.E., which aims to raise public awareness around choosing safe, qualified professionals.