Originally posted https://professionalbeauty.co.uk/england-councils-face-hundreds-allegations-unsafe-non-surgical-cosmetic-procedures
Councils across England recorded 1,788 complaints and allegations linked to non-surgical cosmetic procedures between January 2021 and May 2026, including reports of injury, infection, hospital treatment, unsafe practice and other medical complications.
The figures, obtained through a data request by professional aesthetic manufacturer VIP Italia, cover 161 councils and include complaints, investigations and enforcement action involving clinics and practitioners providing treatments such as dermal fillers, botulinum toxin injections and non-surgical Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs).
Of the 1,788 complaints, 1,671 were recorded outside London and 117 in the capital. Complaints increased by 38% between 2023 and 2024, with a further 376 recorded in 2025.
The findings provide a snapshot of the scale of concerns being reported to local authorities and come as non-surgical cosmetic procedure regulation faces renewed scrutiny in England.
Non-cosmetic procedures allegations by region
- Wolverhampton City Council recorded the highest number of harm-related allegations (46) followed by Durham (24), Sandwell (16) and Devon (16), and Hertfordshire (14)
- In London, Wandsworth recorded the most harm-related allegations (10) followed by Barnet (7) and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (5)
- Hampshire County Council recorded the most complaints overall (450), followed by Reading (79), Wiltshire (76), Gedling (55) and Lancashire (53)
- Councils reported 1,869 inspections, investigations or visits, although recording practices varied considerably.
- Councils reported a wide range of enforcement and follow-up action. North Somerset recorded 22 prohibition notices; Wolverhampton reported 19 warning letters, four prohibition notices and four improvement notices; Tameside recorded 18 warning letters and eight other actions; while Salford reported seven prohibition notices, three improvement notices and a written warning on BBLs sent to 90 businesses.
What do these findings mean?
The findings come amid renewed scrutiny of the non-surgical cosmetics industry following the case of Jordan James Parke, who styled himself as the “Lip King”. Parke had previously been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the death of 33-year-old Alice Webb, who became seriously unwell after undergoing a liquid BBL in September 2024.
Reports have since shown that Parke had previously been subject to prohibition notices preventing him from carrying out certain procedures in Dudley and Salford, but continued to operate elsewhere.
Anastasia Lesnikova, aesthetics product expert at VIP Italia, said: “People can hear the words ‘non-surgical’ and assume a procedure carries very little risk. But these figures show why people still need to take cosmetic treatments seriously.
“Before having any treatment, people should know exactly who is carrying it out. They should ask about the practitioner’s qualifications, their insurance, the product being used, the risks involved and what aftercare is available if something goes wrong. A reputable practitioner should be able to answer those questions clearly."
VIP Italia is among the companies calling for regulation that reflects the size and complexity of this industry, including a consistent licensing system, with clear minimum standards for practitioners and premises and effective enforcement when those standards are breached.
