In a sweeping move to protect public health and restore trust in the aesthetics industry, the UK government has announced new measures targeting unlicensed and unqualified cosmetic practitioners. The initiative aims to eliminate unsafe practices and reduce the burden on the National Health Service (NHS).

Under the proposed measures:

• High-risk procedures, such as non-surgical Brazilian butt lifts, will be restricted to qualified healthcare professionals operating in Care Quality Commission (CQC)-registered facilities.
• Lower-risk treatments like Botox and dermal fillers will require practitioners to meet rigorous safety, training, and insurance standards to obtain licensing from a new local authority licensing system.
• Minors under 18 will be barred from receiving high-risk treatments unless approved by a healthcare provider.

The crackdown on “cowboy cosmetic procedures” follows a surge in botched procedures performed by untrained individuals in unsafe environments, including pop-up clinics and private homes. These incidents have led to serious injuries, permanent scarring, and even fatalities. The reforms are expected to reduce NHS costs associated with corrective care and help consumers identify reputable providers. 

Together, this development underscores the global momentum toward licensing, regulation and public safety in aesthetic medicine. It also highlights the importance of education, accountability, and consumer protection in shaping a trustworthy and sustainable industry.

These regulations have not yet been implemented. The UK government will begin with a public consultation early next year to gather input on which procedures should be covered and how the licensing system should be structured. Parliamentary scrutiny and collaboration with stakeholders will follow, ensuring that the final regulations are comprehensive, enforceable and aligned with public safety goals.

Read more at GOV.UK >>