A woman with allegedly no verified UK medical credentials was caught offering both upper and lower eyelid procedures inside what appeared to be a dingy, non-sterile flat above a restaurant in Liverpool
An undercover investigation has exposed the potential dangers of unregulated cosmetic clinics after a TV reporter was offered surgical procedures by a woman with reportedly no recognised medical qualifications in the UK.
In the report, 5 News booked an appointment with a woman who allegedly has no verified UK medical credentials. Footage shows the reporter being offered both upper and lower eyelid procedures inside what appeared to be a dingy, non-sterile flat above a restaurant in Liverpool City Centre. The appointment was arranged within minutes via text, according to 5 News. However, the reporter only received the exact location 48 hours before the procedure – a flat where the woman and an assistant appeared ready to carry out the surgeries using local anaesthetic, and accepting only cash.
During the appointment, the woman was reportedly prepared to begin without carrying out basic safety protocols. No medical consultation or patient history was taken, and when questioned about her credentials, she refused to confirm whether she had any. When asked by the reporter whether she was a doctor or how many surgeries she had previously performed, the woman also declined to answer.
5 News has shown its findings to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who vowed to urgently examine the legal loopholes that allowed unqualified individuals to perform risky surgical procedures that can result in life-changing harm.
Responding to the footage, Mr Streeting said: “This is an extremely concerning case you’ve raised with me, and I will go away now and look at the laws in place to make sure that we don’t have loopholes that enable this kind of unsafe and unregulated practice.”
Leading UK eye surgeons warn that when performed incorrectly, eyelid surgery can cause permanent scarring, infection – and even blindness. Despite these risks, it remains legal in the UK for anyone to perform cosmetic surgery, as long as they do not falsely claim to be a registered doctor or surgeon. Campaigners argue that this loophole puts lives in danger and are calling on the Government to take immediate action.
One of the procedures on offer – upper blepharoplasty, which involves removing excess eyelid skin to create a more youthful appearance – has surged in popularity due to social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook. According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), it’s now the UK’s third most popular cosmetic procedure and the fastest-growing among women.
5 News has also obtained new data showing a 65% increase in complaints about backstreet surgery over the past year – rising from 404 from 2021–2023, to 667 from 2024–2025.