A new local authority licensing system will be introduced for delivering Botox and fillers as part of a package of measures to combat a ‘wild west of dodgy practitioners’.
Practitioners delivering low risk cosmetic treatments including Botox, lip fillers and facial dermal filler will now be subject to rigorous safety, training and insurance standards. This will be enforced with a new licensing system managed by local authorities.
Harsher measures will also be introduced for higher-risk procedures such as non-surgical Brazilian butt lifts. These must now be performed by qualified healthcare professionals only through a CQC-registered provider.
‘Cosmetic cowboys’
The government said these changes were prompted by a series of incidents involving high-risk treatments being delivered by people with little or no medical training. Patients were left with serious complications, permanent scarring and even death.
Concern was also expressed over the ‘unsafe’ locations in which treatment was provided – including homes, hotels, and pop-up clinics.
Minister of state for health Karin Smyth said: ’The cosmetics industry has been plagued by a wild west of dodgy practitioners and procedures. There are countless horror stories of cosmetic cowboys causing serious, catastrophic damage.
‘This government is taking action to protect those seeking treatments, support honest and competent practitioners, and root out the cowboys as part of our Plan for Change.
‘This isn’t about stopping anyone from getting treatments – it’s about preventing rogue operators from exploiting people at the expense of their safety and keeping people safe. We’re giving them peace of mind and reducing the cost to the NHS of fixing botched procedures.’
Botox ‘horror stories’
A public consultation will begin in early 2026 to determine which procedures will be covered by new restrictions. In the meantime, higher-risk procedures will be prioritised for implementation.
Millie Kendall, chief executive officer of the British Beauty Council, said: ‘The council has worked tirelessly in pushing for increased regulation of the aesthetics sector since its inception. I therefore fully welcome the government’s announcement that it is pushing forward with legislation.
‘Any measures that increase protection for the general public and professionalise the industry will help instil confidence as well as helping to prevent the normalisation of horror stories that have become synonymous with our sector.
‘We will work closely with relevant government stakeholders to ensure these measures are implemented in a way that ensures the sustained, and safe, growth of our sector. This is the first step forward in raising the reputation of our £30.4 billion industry.’
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