The UK Government has announced tough new regulations to tackle unsafe cosmetic procedures and protect the public from unqualified practitioners.
The measures will ensure that only qualified healthcare professionals can perform the highest-risk treatments, such as non-surgical Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs), and that these procedures are carried out in Care Quality Commission (CQC)-registered premises.
The crackdown follows a series of alarming incidents involving botched treatments, permanent scarring, and even fatalities, often carried out in unsafe environments like homes, hotels, and pop-up clinics.
Lower-risk procedures — including Botox, lip fillers, and facial dermal fillers — will now be subject to a local authority licensing system. Practitioners must meet rigorous safety, training, and insurance standards before they can legally operate.
The government also plans to introduce age restrictions for under-18s on high-risk procedures, unless authorised by a healthcare professional. Practitioners who break the rules will face CQC enforcement and financial penalties.
The new measures are part of the government’s Plan for Change, aimed at improving patient safety, supporting reputable providers, and reducing the cost to the NHS of treating complications from botched procedures.
Karin Smyth, Minister of State for Health. 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.”
A public consultation will launch in early 2026 to determine which additional procedures should be covered under the new restrictions. Priority will be given to regulating the most dangerous treatments, such as fillers injected into breasts and genitals.
Industry bodies including the British Beauty Council, Save Face, and the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) have welcomed the move, calling it a vital step toward professionalising the sector and restoring public trust. Chair and Registrar of the JCCP, Professor David Sines CBE commented:
“This government commitment is a major step towards improved patient safety in England. It will protect the public from untrained and inexperienced operators and it will save the NHS a considerable amount of time and money putting right the harm done through botched procedures.”
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