Aesthetic Regulation Consultation Update Due by End of January
Lucy Powell MP, Leader of the House of Commons, has confirmed that a response to the consultation on the licensing of non-surgical cosmetics is in progress, following increasing calls for mandatory regulation of the aesthetics industry.
The issue has been brought to the forefront by Bradley Thomas MP, who is urging the Government to introduce mandatory licensing for non-surgical aesthetic treatments. His efforts follow a meeting with Nicky Robinson, owner of NR Aesthetics & Skin LTD, a CQC-regulated medical aesthetics clinic in Blackwell, Bromsgrove. Robinson raised serious concerns about the risks posed by unregulated practitioners offering cosmetic treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers.
Currently, the UK lacks comprehensive regulation for medical aesthetic procedures. There are no legal training requirements for beauty therapists or aesthetic practitioners who administer injectable treatments such as botulinum toxin or dermal fillers. This regulatory void has led to a surge in complications and unwanted outcomes, with Save Face, a government-approved register for medical aesthetic treatments, reporting over 3,000 complaints in 2023 alone. Alarmingly, 48% of these complaints were from young women aged 18 to 25.
The Health and Social Care Act 2022 granted the Government the authority to introduce a licensing scheme and set age restrictions for non-surgical cosmetic procedures. However, despite a public consultation in September 2023, no licensing scheme has been implemented to date.
The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners has since confirmed that we will receive a response to the consultation from the Government by the end of January.
Speaking in the House of Commons on January 16th, Bradley Thomas MP expressed his concerns, stating:
“Like me, I’m sure my constituents will be shocked to learn that there is no regulation at all of medical aesthetic procedures in the UK. I want to thank Nicky Robinson for bringing this issue to my attention and for the work she has done to protect people from unregulated professionals.”
He further emphasised the growing crisis driven by social media and societal pressures, leading to an increased demand for treatments by unqualified individuals. “We need action now before anyone else suffers from adverse effects from botched procedures, or even worse, tragically loses their life,” he added.
Nicky Robinson echoed these sentiments, highlighting the UK's lag behind other countries in terms of regulation. She stated:
“The aesthetics industry in the UK is continuing to rapidly evolve, yet the country remains significantly behind other nations in terms of implementing comprehensive regulation. Ensuring the safety of members of the public seeking aesthetic treatments is of paramount concern.”
Robinson expressed her support for Bradley Thomas MP’s efforts and urged the Government to prioritise regulation to safeguard individuals from unqualified practitioners.
As pressure mounts, stakeholders in the aesthetics industry and healthcare professionals are calling for immediate action to establish a robust regulatory framework.
