Cosmetic patients exposed to 'unreasonable risks'

Patients who have non-surgical cosmetic treatments are being exposed to "unreasonable risks" and "permanent damage" because of a lack of appropriate training for those carrying them out, the man leading a review of plastic surgery standards has said.

NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh said his report on the state of the industry, ordered after the faulty PIP breast implants scandal, would make recommendations to make sure patients "were in safe hands" when it is released later this month.

It is believed this will mean a new law requiring everyone from beauty therapists to medically-trained doctors to have additional formal qualifications before carrying out treatments.

Sir Bruce said he was worried that non-surgical procedures - which include dermal fillers, or laser treatment for wrinkles or hair reduction - make up 90% of the sector but are largely unregulated.