The government is collaborating with TikTok creators to educate individuals on the dangers of seeking cosmetic treatments overseas.
An increasing number of British citizens are turning to medical procedures abroad, including hair transplants and dental care, frequently attracted by reduced expenses and quicker access.
Medical content creators will recommend that viewers consult a UK physician first, obtain travel insurance, and steer clear of package holidays that feature medical procedures.
The action is a component of a broader governmental initiative aimed at reducing so-called medical tourism, along with implementing stricter rules for cosmetic professionals in England.
When it comes to undergoing cosmetic surgery in other countries, the cheapest option may result in the most significant consequences, according to the campaign.
It seeks to highlight the dangers, safeguard patients, and prevent the NHS from covering the costs of poorly performed procedures.
Medical influencers such as Doc Tally and Midwife Marley, who have 240,000 and 38,000 followers on TikTok respectively, will create videos providing advice on how to ensure trips are as secure as possible. They will offer a list of items to review before scheduling a procedure.
Health Minister Karin Smyth cautioned that "far too many individuals are ending up with severe, long-term injuries from seeking medical treatments overseas, lacking appropriate guidance or protections."
She mentioned that the collaboration with TikTok would assist individuals in "making safer and more knowledgeable decisions before they undergo surgery – no matter where that might be."
Items to verify prior to making a reservation:
- Conduct comprehensive research on the process
- Review the clinic's policies and the surgeon's qualifications
- Understand the complete cost and the necessary post-treatment care
- Ask the essential question – if something goes wrong, who will be responsible for fixing it?
If beauty treatments result in complications, the effects can be extremely harmful to those undergoing them.
Two years prior, Leah Mattsontraveled to Izmir in Turkeyto undergo gastric sleeve surgery.
Although the surgery was initially effective and aided in her weight loss, last year the 27-year-old went back to the same company to have excess skin removed.
This time, the process resulted in an uneven navel, significant scarring on her arms and stomach, which she claims made her feel even worse.
Upon witnessing the outcome of her operation, Leah exclaimed that she began crying.
I just wanted to cry, and I felt like I hated my body more than when I was overweight.
Leah discovered the clinic through social media and was motivated by others' favorable stories regarding similar procedures.
"On applications such as Instagram and TikTok, you look up weight-loss surgery and find that most individuals travel to Turkey," she explained.
I was considering that all these people have had wonderful experiences, so I'm going.
"I simply believed in them because I thought, if they're fine, then I'll be fine too, and I didn't really focus much on the horror tales," she added.
I never thought it would happen to me.
Leah now shares her journey on social media, leveraging her influence to educate others about the dangers associated with such procedures.
The clinic that carried out Leah's surgery in Turkey was unavailable for comment, but they had previously released a statement noting, "plastic surgery is not straightforward, and unfortunately, some health issues or complications cannot be predicted."
Experts are advising individuals to look past the attractive brochures and advertisements, and to take into account medical guidelines, potential complications, and communication challenges.
The Department of State will also offer more specific travel guidance for individuals planning to go abroad for these treatments.
A Foreign Office Minister named Stephen Doughty stated: "If you decide to go overseas for medical care, it's important that you conduct your research and understand the potential dangers."
We recommend that anyone thinking about a medical treatment in another country consult our travel information, the NHS's relevant guidelines, and other expert organizations, and conduct detailed research on foreign providers to confirm they offer the best level of care.
Making well-informed decisions now can prevent significant issues in the future.
Ali Law, TikTok's public policy representative in the UK, stated that the platform is "dedicated" to assisting users in locating "information from reliable sources when searching for subjects connected to physical and mental health."
Earlier this month, officials presentedplans to cut down on dangerous beauty procedures in England.
According to the new regulations, only "properly qualified" and licensed medical professionals will be permitted to perform high-risk treatments like Brazilian butt lifts.
Clinics that provide less risky treatments like Botox and fillers will be required to obtain a license, and minimum age restrictions will be put in place to prevent children from imitating hazardous beauty trends they see on social media.