National Institute of Aesthetic Research set up to tackle safety

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) yesterday launched the National Institute of Aesthetic Research (NIAR) to research the efficacy and safety of both surgical and non-surgical aesthetic treatments.

The institute was set up as a joint venture with disfigurement charity the Healing Foundation and will be based in the latter’s offices at the Royal College of Surgeons, London. 

The NIAR will manage a programme of research, which Baaps said will address the lack of data surrounding aesthetic and cosmetic treatments highlighted in the recent Keogh review.

BAAPS president, consultant plastic surgeon Rajiv Grover, said: “As concluded in the Keogh report earlier this year, thorough scientific evaluation, peer-reviewed studies and public education are urgently needed in the aesthetics sector; these have always been the BAAPS’ own objectives, and are now the NIAR’s.”

Sir Bruce Keogh, who led the Government’s review into the safety of the sector, the recommendations of which were announced in April but are yet to be enforced, said: “I welcome the announcement from the Healing Foundation and BAAPS on the launch of the National Institute of Aesthetic Research. This joint initiative is the first recommendation of my review to be implemented and I know it will provide a major contribution to patient safety.”

First on the agenda for the NIAR is the launch of the Breast Implant Safety Campaign. The institute is asking manufacturers of breast implants to donate £1 per implant sold towards funding a programme of research into safety.

The NIAR will later begin research into non-surgical treatments such as botox and dermal fillers.