Key points from article :
A BBC North West investigation has uncovered a thriving illegal teeth-whitening industry in the UK, where unqualified beauticians sell dangerously strong bleaching gels in car parks, on doorsteps and through social media. Laboratory tests revealed that some products contained up to 53% hydrogen peroxide — more than 500 times the legal limit for over-the-counter products and far above what dentists are allowed to use. These concentrations can burn gums, damage enamel and cause irreversible harm. The report does not cite a journal article or lead author, as it is part of a BBC investigative news series.
The investigation highlights real-world consequences: one woman lost four teeth and spent years and tens of thousands of pounds on corrective treatment after a salon procedure with illegal bleach. BBC reporters found beauticians openly selling unlabelled “extreme” gels, providing sham training certificates, and advising trainees to practise on friends and family. Some sellers boasted about “insane” profits and dismissed UK regulations that reserve high-strength treatments for registered dental professionals.
Experts warned that using powerful bleaching agents without professional supervision can cause chemical burns, nerve damage and permanent tooth loss. Dental bodies, including the British Dental Association, called the findings “horrifying” and urged an urgent crackdown. But enforcement remains difficult: the General Dental Council can only act reactively, and prosecutions are rare. The investigation concludes that consumers are being put at serious risk, and authorities are advising the public to report suspicious sales to Trading Standards before more harm occurs.
