A major review is being launched into cosmetic surgery in Britain following the PIP breast implant scandal. Author, NHS medical director, Sir Bruce Keogh says too many people are unaware that such procedures can have lifelong implications.
The NHS Medical Directors expert group said in June that the gel materials used inside the implants are not toxic or carcinogenic.
However it warned that PIP implants are twice as likely to rupture as other brands.
The group, led by NHS medical director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, found that after 10 years the PIP implants have a 15% to 30% chance of rupturing.
Other breast implant brands have a 10% to 14% rupture rate in the same timeframe.
The implants also contain the chemical compound siloxane which is chemically similar to silicone and is found in many consumer products including hair and skin products and antiperspirants and deodorants.
But the experts said the chemical does not present a health risk.
The official review into cosmetic practices should mean the PIP scandal should never happen again. But the industry has a lot of work to do.
A major review into cosmetic surgery is being launched in light of the PIP scandal.