Top ‘MedTok’ influencers are to give warnings on getting cosmetic procedures abroad under new plans announced by the UK government, as concerns rise over the safety of overseas practices.
Midwife Marley and Doc Tally are amongst the UK creators selected by the government as part of the campaign to warn their hundreds of thousands of followers about the potential dangers of such surgeries abroad.
The videos they make will be aimed at helping people “make safer and more informed choices before they go under the knife”, says health minister Karin Smyth.
This will include urging potential patients to speak to a UK doctor beforehand and to avoid any package deals that include surgeries.
Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty said the government wants to make sure people “do [their] research and are fully aware of the risks involved” before they travel abroad.
What are the dangers of cosmetic surgery abroad?
Outward medical tourism has boomed in recent years, especially to countries such as Turkey, where clinics offer procedures at a much lower cost.
A popular procedure such as ‘Turkey teeth’ can start from as little as £1,500, compared to over £9,000 for veneers from a UK clinic.
However, this lower price often comes with a higher cost, warn experts.
78% of corrective operations undertaken in the UK in 2023 were to fix complications from treatments performed in Turkey, according to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).
Simon Hood, travel expert and Executive Director of John Mason International, urges those looking to undertake cosmetic treatments abroad to verify that “practices and surgeons have the best accreditations available.”
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Part of a wider crackdown on the “Wild West” cosmetics industry
Earlier in August, the government announced curbs on non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the UK.
Under the plans, only qualified professionals may carry out procedures such as Brazilian butt lifts.
In addition, clinics will have to be licensed to be able to offer fillers and Botox.
Announcing the new rules, Karin Smyth called the industry in Britain the “Wild West”, warning of “cosmetic cowboys causing serious, catastrophic damage” to patients.
Reducing the risks of medical complications from botched surgeries will also save the NHS money, she added.
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Hazel Camba 
Shameeka Voyiya 
Newsjustnews writers