The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) and the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) have issued a joint warning following concerns regarding Ms Luyen Vu, who is allegedly offering surgical cosmetic procedures in unregulated settings in the North West of England.
Information has suggested that Ms Luyen Vu, also known on social media as the “bleph lady”, “Luyen”, or “Cindy”, has promoted procedures, including upper and lower blepharoplasty, facelifts and genital surgery, for reduced costs in inappropriately regulated environments and renting rooms in aesthetic clinics.
These concerns have been raised by Environmental Health Officers, with intervention from the local Darlington police, who acted to prevent unregulated procedures taking place.
The JCCP and BAAPS cooperated with environmental officers after concerns were raised around Ms Luyen Vu’s TikTok adverts.
The individual was recognised from a recent Channel 5 exposé, in which Ms Luyen Vu performed high-risk surgical procedures such as facelifts and blepharoplasties in a living room.
These procedures were arranged by the “Lip King”, who at the time was on bail in connection with the death of Alice Webb, who died following liquid BBL complications.
Luyen Vu is said to have moved abroad for a few months but is expected to return.
Unregulated cosmetic procedures and patient risk
In the UK, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) requires that surgical procedures in England are carried out only by suitably qualified and appropriately trained medical professionals within CQC-regulated premises.
These procedures must take place in a sterile environment, with appropriate emergency equipment and expertise available, suitable anaesthetic oversight for more complex procedures, and arrangements in place to ensure proper aftercare.
In this instance, the JCCP and BAAPS have raised concerns to public safety because the practitioner’s qualifications and the procedure settings remain unclear.
Ms Luyen Vu has been contacted by the JCCP and BAAPS to provide evidence of recognised UK medical qualifications, but has not yet been able to provide the information.
Continued regulatory challenges
For the JCCP and BAAPS, this highlights the current challenges within the regulatory framework.
Whilst the CQC regulates registered healthcare providers, they have limited powers to enforce regulation on unregistered individuals operating outside of the regulation.
“Reports of unqualified and unregulated individuals performing surgical procedures in unregulated premises is deeply concerning. In this case where the provider promotes a ‘travelling service’ with the venue details released ‘the day before’ the dangers are particularly clear. We are also concerned to see the role that some aesthetic clinic owners take to promote and to permit the use of their premises for the service. We will continue to work with all relevant authorities so that they can enforce against or prosecute such activity,” shares acting co-chair of the JCCP, Andrew Rankin.
Public advice for non-surgical cosmetic procedures
The JCCP and BAAPS strongly advise members of the public to take the following precautions before undergoing any cosmetic procedure:
- Check registration: Ensure the practitioner is listed with the General Medical Council or an appropriate accredited register
- Verify qualifications: Confirm that the practitioner has recognised surgical training
- Confirm the setting: Ensure procedures are carried out in premises registered with the Care Quality Commission where required
- Ask about insurance and aftercare: Appropriate indemnity and follow-up care are essential
- Be cautious of social media advertising: Online promotion is not a guarantee of safety or competence
- Is the price too good to be true? Blepharoplasty pricing usually starts at £2000 but this individual charges £850.
“There seems to be a lack of understanding, or caring even perhaps, that these procedures are risky. There are consequences from poor preparation, poor surgery and poor aftercare. A lower eyelid operation (lower blepharoplasty) can lead to blindness as a result of undetected bleeding. Infections, deformities, chronic pain may result from these cases, and even death. Whenever a complication occurs, it is difficult, costly and lengthy to correct,” explains consultant plastic surgeon, Elaine Sassoon.
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