A self-described "beauty consultant," Ricky Sawyer, has been barred from performing cosmetic surgery across England and Wales following a damning investigation by the BBC. Sawyer, who specialised in liquid Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs), was found to be administering risky procedures involving the injection of up to 1,000ml of dermal fillers into clients' buttocks. The investigation revealed that he operated out of a rented office block in London, offering dangerous services and illegally distributing medications, raising significant health and safety concerns.
The Manchester Civil Justice Centre issued an injunction against Sawyer, preventing him from conducting or arranging any cosmetic procedures until 27 May 2028. During the court proceedings, the judge viewed graphic evidence, including video footage and images of the disturbing injuries sustained by his clients. “The level of injury that people have suffered… is quite shocking,” remarked James Parry, the lawyer representing Trafford Council, who pursued legal action against Sawyer. The severity of the injuries has drawn comparisons to those typical of violent crime, illustrating the potential dangers associated with unregulated cosmetic procedures.
Numerous women have come forward with testimonies detailing their harrowing experiences with Sawyer. One client, Ashley, recounted her ordeal after undergoing a BBL. Desiring the procedure for its lower cost and celebrity endorsements, she travelled from Liverpool to London, only to endure severe pain during the treatment. Ashley described the scene, saying, “I nearly fainted,” and, horrifically, “He butchered me, there is no other word for it.” Following the procedure, Ashley was hospitalised with an infection, highlighting the life-threatening consequences of Sawyer’s practices. Now recovered, she expressed relief at the court's ruling, feeling finally that their complaints have been taken seriously.
This isn’t the first time Sawyer has been in the spotlight; health authorities in Glasgow have also taken action against him. There, environmental health officers issued prohibition notices preventing him from conducting high-risk BBLs or breast augmentations after a woman required hospital treatment due to botched procedures. The spate of complications reported after BBLs executed by Sawyer has led to calls for stricter regulation of cosmetic procedures, particularly by practitioners lacking formal medical training.
Campaigners have been vociferous in their demands for the government to implement bans on non-medically qualified individuals performing such high-risk treatments. In a related plea, Save Face, an organisation advocating for patient safety, underscored the urgent need for regulation, noting Sawyer has prompted more complaints than any other practitioner. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the cosmetic surgery realm is in desperate need of oversight to protect potential clients from the careless practices of so-called beauty consultants.
As the landscape of cosmetic enhancements continues to evolve, the case against Ricky Sawyer serves as a cautionary tale. It exposes the urgent necessity for robust regulations governing non-surgical aesthetic treatments, highlighting the risks posed by unqualified practitioners in an industry that can profoundly affect individuals' health and well-being.
Source: Noah Wire Services