NEWS AND ANALYSIS

HOT OFF THE PRESS

UV radiation labelled a “preventable public health crisis” in new parliamentary report

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Beauty, Hair & Wellbeing has described UV radiation exposure as a “preventable public health crisis” in a new report calling for major reforms to UK sun safety policy.

Launched in Parliament on May 13, the report warns the UK lacks a coordinated national UV safety strategy despite melanoma rates projected to rise 9% by 2038, reaching 26,500 new cases annually.

Key recommendations include reducing VAT on SPF 30+ sunscreen, with children’s sunscreen cut to 0% VAT and adult SPF products reduced to 5%. The APPG argues sunscreen should be treated as an essential health product rather than a cosmetic item.

The report also calls for stricter regulation of commercial sunbeds, including a ban on advertising and tobacco-style health warnings, citing evidence that sunbed use before age 35 increases melanoma risk by 59%.

Mandatory UV safety education in schools and compulsory mole-identification training for beauty and hair professionals were also proposed.

Carolyn Harris MP, chair of the APPG, urged the Government to introduce a long-term national UV awareness campaign modelled on Australia’s “Slip, Slop, Slap!” initiative.

JCCP and BAAPS raise concerns over alleged unregulated surgical procedures

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.

Luyen Vu is said to have moved abroad for a few months but is expected to return.

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.

ASA bans Eucerin ad over ‘look five years younger’ claims

A Eucerin Skincare ad has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for promoting misleading claims.

The poster ad, spotted on a poster ad in Ballham underground station, featured the Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Epigenetic Serum product, and text claiming “Eucerin look up to five year younger* recommended by dermatologists.” The ad also featured smaller text stating, “clinically proven” and“*product-in-use test over four weeks with 160 volunteers.”

The complainant challenged whether the claim was misleading and could be substantiated. Beiersdorf UK Ltd stated the claim was based on a four-week study of 160 participants, who self-assessed how much younger they looked after using the product. The company said the claim referred only to perceived age rather than clinical or biological changes, and cited additional studies and research papers as supporting evidence.

The ASA ruled that Beiersdorf UK Ltd had failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the claims. Regulators found the studies relied heavily on subjective self-assessment, lacked robust controls and did not adequately reflect typical UK consumer use. The ad was therefore deemed misleading and in breach of CAP Code rules on misleading advertising, substantiation and beauty product claims.

Single-dose 7.2mg semaglutide (Wegovy) pen approved to treat adult patients with obesity

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved a new single-dose 7.2mg semaglutide (Wegovy) pen, for adults with obesity and a body mass index (BMI) of 30kg/m² or higher.

The decision gives eligible patients the option to receive the maximum weekly dose for weight loss and weight management through a single injection rather than multiple doses.

The approval follows January’s authorisation of the 7.2mg weekly dose, which previously required three separate 2.4mg injections on the same day. Patients beginning Wegovy treatment start on 0.25mg weekly, with the dose gradually increased every four weeks under medical supervision.

The MHRA said the approval does not apply to overweight patients with a BMI below 30 using Wegovy for weight management or to patients using the drug to reduce the risk of serious heart problems. The regulator added that the medicine’s safety and effectiveness would remain under close review.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Dermalux expands in Ireland amid rising demand for noninvasive treatments

Dermalux has strengthened its Irish presence with the appointment of Rachel Hand as business manager for Ireland, as clinics increasingly invest in non-invasive, device-led treatments. Hand said demand for LED phototherapy is growing across aesthetic, wellness and physiotherapy sectors, driven by interest in treatments with minimal downtime and long-term skin health benefits.

Lynton launch new user-focussed website

Lynton’s new platform is designed with a more sophisticated flow, supporting a seamless, user-led journey bringing together Lynton’s 30 years of scientific experience and aesthetic expertise. Users can access information on Lynton’s technologies and training opportunities, all on the one platform.The redesign places a strong emphasis on education, with expanded courses, updated insights and new editorial content to help clinics stay informed and ahead. The new site reflects Lynton’s commitment to supporting clinics beyond technology.

Dr Hannah Chapman joins DermaFocus faculty

DermaFocus has appointed Dr Hannah Chapman to its faculty. The Bristol-based GP and aesthetic doctor, known for her expertise in regenerative aesthetics, brings extensive clinical experience and has spoken widely on polynucleotides, exosomes and microneedling, while also campaigning for stronger industry regulation.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Hydrafacial appoints Reena Sandhu

Reena Sandhu has been appointed international product and brand marketing manager for Hydrafacial, leading international product and brand marketing strategy across Europe, the Middle East,Africa; Asia-Pacific; and Latin America. Reena will focus on driving brand growth, smooth product launches and regional execution, working closely with key stakeholders. With extensive experience across medical aesthetics, Reena is well equipped to support Hydrafacial’s continued growth.

GetHarley partners with ALASTIN

GetHarley has partnered with ALASTIN by Galderma to make the brand’s practitioner only skincare products available through GetHarley clinicians’ digital shelves. The collaboration aims to help practitioners create personalised skincare plans while expanding patient access to clinically formulated skin regeneration and postprocedure products.

Acclaro partners with Consultation Catalyst to support clinics

Acclaro Medical has partnered with Consultation Catalyst to deliver CPD-approved consultation training for clinics using UltraClear technology. Led by Dr Kamran Amjed, the programme aims to help practitioners improve patient communication, consultation conversion and ethical commercial performance alongside clinical training..

BAAPS audit 2025: Breast augmentation falls 8% as reduction surgeries rise

Breast augmentation procedures in the UK have fallen by 8%, while demand for breast implant removal is rising, according to the latest annual audit from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).

The audit displayed that there were 26,840 cosmetic procedures performed in 2025, which is a 2% drop from the previous year.

Despite the drop in demand, breast enlargement remains the most popular procedure, with 4,761 procedures taking place in 2025.

However, this was closely followed by breast reduction surgery, with 4,673 procedures taking place in the same year.

The latest BAAPS audit highlights a clear shift in cosmetic surgery trends in the UK, with patients increasingly favouring natural, functional outcomes over volume-driven procedures.

As demand for breast augmentation declines and implant removals rise, clinics may need to adapt their treatment strategies to align with evolving patient expectations and long-term aesthetic goals.

Microneedling safety guide launched for beauty professionals

Professional skincare brand Dermalogica has partnered with Babtac to launch the Sharp Standards Guide to Microneedling, a new resource designed to help UK beauty professionals deliver safe, compliant treatments amid ongoing regulatory confusion.

Available to all practitioners, not just Dermalogica partners or Babtac members, the guide aims to simplify the legal and professional requirements surrounding microneedling – one of the UK’s fastest-growing non-surgical cosmetic treatments.

Although minimally invasive, microneedling involves controlled skin puncturing and carries risks including infection, needlestick injuries and adverse reactions. However, regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures varies across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, leaving many beauty businesses to interpret legislation independently.

The new guide draws on UK legislation including the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH, RIDDOR and UK GDPR, alongside nation-specific licensing frameworks. It covers areas including infection control, premises hygiene, client consent, training, PPE, sharps disposal and record keeping.

Dermalogica and Babtac said the guidance is intended to provide practical support while calls for stricter regulation continue across the sector.

The Sharp Standards Guide was launched at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster and is now available through Dermalogica’s professional platform.