Surgeons Take Action Against Unlicensed Aesthetic Procedures Promoted by Influencers
The rise of trendy terms like “Korean lift,” “BBL,” and “lemon bottle” has prompted the main national union for plastic and aesthetic surgery in France to file complaints against influencers performing aesthetic procedures without proper qualifications. These influencers attract clients through social media platforms.
The Korean lift, a new aesthetic trend involving neck liposuction, has flooded social media with videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. This surge has raised alarms within the national union of plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery, which has decided to take legal action for the illegal practice of medicine.
Life-Threatening Risks
Dr. Christophe Desouches, a Marseille-based practitioner and member of the SNCPRE board, warns that the Korean lift is an “abusive liposuction” and emphasizes that it is a surgical act. He points out that the neck is not a trivial area; it contains major blood vessels that supply the brain. An incision in this area can lead to catastrophic hematomas and potentially life-threatening situations, especially when performed in inappropriate settings.
Dr. Desouches expresses concern over the escalation of illegal practices, stating, “After illegal hyaluronic acid injections, we are now witnessing a more alarming trend. It’s not just worrying; it’s frightening.”
Influencers Claiming Expertise
Accounts with names like Big Beauty, Lips for Kiss, and Lemon Bottle Paris are run by influencers who claim to be “experts in fat dissolution,” promising beauty “safely” and at low prices. Some assert they have been “trained by foreign surgeons,” while others claim to hold a “DUTIC” (Diploma in Injection Techniques and Surgery). Some even present themselves as “expert doctors in the latest aesthetic techniques.”
Appointments are made through private messages or WhatsApp, with no contact information provided. These influencers often travel to various cities, announcing on their Instagram accounts, “Tomorrow, I’ll be in Toulouse; the day after, I’ll be in Marseille,” conducting procedures in hotel rooms, similar to their practices with hyaluronic acid injections.
A Range of Illegal Services
The offerings extend beyond the Korean lift. These unlicensed practitioners also promote Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBL), fat elimination through the lemon bottle method, and hyaluronidase treatments to correct previous mistakes. However, the most concerning issue is not the mistakes themselves.
The lemon bottle, a notorious fat burner, has been banned in France since 2011 due to its numerous complications. The products used are often purchased illegally and are untraceable, according to Dr. Desouches.
Health Risks and Rising Reports
The most alarming risk is the issue of sterility. The use of these products without proper sterilization can lead to direct infections, including hepatitis C or HIV. Dr. Desouches warns that if cannulas are not properly sterilized, infections can spread from patient to patient, potentially causing dozens of infections from a single individual.
Reports of illegal aesthetic medical practices have surged in France. According to the French Medical Council, there were 128 reports in 2024, up from 62 in 2022.
Lawmakers are also expressing concern over these practices. Paris Senator Anne Souyris has announced plans to contact the Paris prosecutor regarding the alarming rise of these “fake aesthetic surgeons.” Meanwhile, Calvados Deputy Arthur Delaporte has urged the government to combat the illegal promotion of these aesthetic practices on social media.
In response to the growing scrutiny, some influencers have removed their Korean lift videos and switched their accounts to private.