As the Department of Health and Social Care advances plans to introduce stricter regulations for aesthetic and non-invasive procedures, TheIndustry.beauty speaks with industry leaders and experts to explore the upcoming changes.
This morning, the UK Government committed to ensuring that only suitably qualified healthcare professionals will be permitted to carry out high-risk procedures, such as Brazilian Butt Lifts.
It will also introduce a licensing scheme for clinics offering treatments like Botox and dermal fillers, alongside new age restrictions aimed at protecting young people from accessing certain procedures.
Following the announcement, the Government will work to ensure that the highest-risk procedures are brought under regulation as a priority. In the longer term, it also will continue to develop licensing and legislation around lower-risk procedures.
Here’s what the industry thinks…
Caroline Hirons, Aesthetics Ambassador of the British Beauty Council, founder of Skin Rocks, and co-founder of Beauty Backed Trust
It’s encouraging to see the Government moving a step closer towards their proposed licensing scheme with their ruling on tighter regulation on Brazilian Butt Lifts. I also wholeheartedly agree with the recommendations that injectables such as Botulinum Toxins (Botox) and Dermal fillers should be administered in a clinical environment with stricter licensing and legal accountability.
That said, I am a passionate advocate for our highly qualified and incredibly skilled beauty professionals. We deserve a level playing field for those advanced treatments that a suitably qualified and professional beauty therapist is equally if not, in some cases, arguably more skilled to perform. I therefore welcome their proposal to have further consultations and collaboration with relevant industry experts on those procedures. Getting the balance right is critical, but appropriate regulation can achieve that.
Millie Kendall OBE, CEO of the British Beauty Council
I am pleased to hear of the Government’s commitment to regulating and licensing the aesthetics sector following its consultation.
The council is dedicated to ensuring that people can engage with beauty safely; people should be able to look and feel as they please without the threat of something going wrong. Any measures to protect this safety are highly welcomed, so that risks are mitigated at every stage of treatment or procedure.
We will be working closely with the Government and the industry to ensure the outcomes of the consultation are implemented in a way that professionalises our industry and sustains growth.
Dr Stephen Hannan, Clinical Director at sk:n
This announcement is an essential step forward in safeguarding patients across England who are seeking aesthetic treatments. Injectables must only be administered by trained medical professionals, in clinically regulated settings.
At sk:n, we have long championed the importance of medical oversight, patient safety and ethical practice. We are encouraged by the progress made and urge swift action to ensure that this regulatory framework is implemented in full.
Dr Dev Patel, Aesthetic Doctor and founder of Perfect Skin Solutions Clinic
As an aesthetic doctor committed to my patient’s safety, I fully support the Government’s introduction of stricter regulations within our industry, especially when it comes to high-risk procedures like filler injections to the breasts and genitals.
For too long, our area of practice has lacked proper regulation, where inappropriately skilled and qualified individuals with minimal training have been able to carry out high-risk procedures with little-to-no oversight, leading to what can often be absolutely devastating outcomes for patients. All too often, their insurance provider will not actually provide cover in the case of a claim, and that’s even if they have a policy in place.
Introducing clear regulations that ensure only suitably qualified medical professionals can perform the most invasive treatments, such as Brazilian Butt Lifts, is a vital step forward. These high-risk procedures carry serious potential complications and must only be carried out by trained clinicians in CQC-registered settings that follow stringent safety protocols.
Stricter licensing for clinics offering Botox and fillers, alongside plans to protect under 18s, are essential for building trust and integrity in the medical aesthetics field. This safeguards the public, supports ethical practitioners and ensures that patient safety remains the highest priority, ultimately raising the standard across the entire sector.
Dr Sina Ghadiri, Certified Board Dermatologist and Aesthetics Doctor
I think it is promising that steps are being taken particularly over high risk procedures (such as Brazilian butt lifts). However, the same urgency needs to be applied particularly for facial fillers where catastrophic consequences in the hands of untrained and unlicensed practitioners are still occurring all too often – and more detail needs to be clarified on the new local authority licensing system.
Professor Firas Al-Niaimi, Consultant and Dermatologist
There is a rise in reporting of complications from practices that do not adhere to appropriate medical standards, which has led to serious consequences and health issues to the patient. As such, these procedures need to be done in a setting that conforms to the highest medical standards, taking into consideration managing complications too, which aligns us in the UK with many countries as comparable standards.
Dr Elizabeth Hawkes, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Oculoplastic Surgeon
I have seen first-hand the increasing harm caused by underqualified practitioners performing high-risk procedures without adequate training or regulation.
In recent weeks there has been significant media coverage about cosmetic procedure complications, which has reignited the debate over regulation and restrictions on those who should be able to offer these to patients. I am delighted to see that DHSC is accelerating its work in this area. Sadly, in my line of work, I have seen these problems for many years, although the incidence is definitely increasing, given that more of these ‘rogue operators’ have popped up performing their procedures in places ranging from hotel rooms to personal homes and even the back seat of cars.
There are plans for patient age-restriction and licensing of facilities where certain procedures can be done. This is crucial and needs to be rapidly done – every day of delay equates to more patients being at risk. It is fantastic to see the British Beauty Council raising awareness of the issue. Ultimately, we all have a responsibility to ensure patients are protected, and the DHSC guidance will certainly help.
