Watchdog takes down ‘mummy makeover’ ads in crackdown against hundreds of foreign cosmetic surgery clinics

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The UK advertising watchdog has had to take down hundreds of adverts for cosmetic surgery clinics abroad and weight-loss jabs as dangerous ads target “mummy makeovers”, The Independent has been told. The authority said it has been forced to take down hundreds of cosmetic surgery adverts since February this year, following a crackdown on clinics abroad attempting to attract UK patients. Jessica Tye, investigations operations manager for ASA told The Independent: “They’re running adverts for cosmetic surgery abroad, mostly for clinics in Turkey, but not exclusively … Instagram and Facebook seem to be a big space for clinics to use, to attract people.” She said the clinics were: “Using claims or images that would exploit people’s body insecurities, things like talking about mummy makeovers, which is like a package of surgery involving, breast surgery and liposuction. “We take this incredibly seriously, although our remit is advertising, we know that there is a real concern from others about the harm that can come to people through taking these products.” “If you’re advertising a consultation, that’s acceptable, but it’s really not acceptable to be advertising a weight loss jab.” Last week the ASA took action against adverts with misleading claims over supplements which they alleged could help menopause symptoms as part of its project on prescription medicine promos.