Updates to Aesthetics Regulations

In a press release published on 6^th August 2025, the Department of Health and Social Care and Karin Smyth MP, announced a number of measures to update aesthetics regulations and counteract “cowboy cosmetic procedures”.¹

These aesthetics regulations will result in:

• “Only suitably qualified healthcare professionals will be able to deliver high-risk procedures such as Brazilian butt lifts
• Clinics administering fillers and Botox will need to meet strict standards to obtain a licence
• Kids to be protected from dangerous beauty trends on social media through plans for new age restrictions on treatments
• Robust measures will protect people and save the NHS time and money fixing botched procedures.”¹

Local authorities will also play a crucial part in licensing local providers.

This is a welcome strategy to increase safety of cosmetic procedures in both England and Scotland. Despite persistent lobbying by multiple organisations such as the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care and Joint Council of Cosmetic Procedures, and indeed public consultation, past progress on a robust licensing scheme has been slow.²᾽³

1. Crackdown on unsafe cosmetic procedures to protect the public – GOV.UK

2. PSA welcomes Government commitments to strengthening regulation for non-surgical cosmetics in England and Scotland, but urges a consistent UK-wide approach | PSA

3. The licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England – GOV.UK