New petition calls for risk logo on aesthetic ads

The petition launched by Dawn Knight is demanding greater regulation of adverts for non-surgical aesthetic procedures and cosmetic surgery by calling for a risk logo to be displayed.

With increasing reports on complications and injuries, Knight believes that a risk logo on adverts would help to remind the public to research their procedures and be aware of the related risks and complications about any treatment they might be considering.

Knight said, “The call for a risk logo is something I hope everyone would support. It's a visual pause button, a moment to investigate more the long-term financial commitment, possible complications, and alternatives, and improve informed consent. In more cases than not risk at the point of advertising is not mentioned, often misleading the patients into a false sense that the procedure comes with no risk, and when it goes wrong leaving them unprepared.”

Knight took to Facebook to share the petition explaining how she has campaigned for years for better regulation to protect the public when it comes to cosmetic surgery and non-surgical aesthetic procedures.

“Too often we see predatory and coercive illegal ads, especially on social media with no mention of the risk, possible complications or long-term financial commitment. The risk logo, I hope would allow the public to pause and research the procedure they may choose and encourage more ethical advertising from practitioners,” she said.

As stated in the Review of the Regulation of Cosmetic Interventionsreport, published in 2013, there are currently no requirements for adverts or marketing material to provide any information on the health risks of cosmetic procedures.

Knight says that the response she has received from the petition has been very positive from both the Aesthetic and Cosmetic Sector, the JCCP, the Beauty Industry HABIA , Insurers Hamilton Frazer and cross-party MPs including the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Beauty Aesthetics and Wellbeing, ISCAS and ACE World Complications, Aesthetic Wellness Foundation and many more.

“This is not a difficult thing to implement in my opinion with precedent already set and well documented for such things as Gambling, Alcohol and Cigarettes,” Knight says. “The sectors are facing a period of much needed change, and this could be just one small step with a big impact on patient safety and practitioner awareness.”

This comes after significant changes have been made in the industry with royal assent being granted for The Health and Care Bill.