Clampdown on unregulated cosmetic procedures announced

Yesterday the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced plans to introduce a licensing regime for non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as Botox and fillers.

The press release provides that the regime will be introduced through an amendment to the Health and Care Bill, granting the Health Secretary powers to introduce a licensing regime for such procedures. The Health and Care Bill is currently making its way through the Houses of Parliament and sets out major changes to the NHS rules and structures in England, undoing many of the changes introduced by the Coalition government in the last major shake-up of NHS legislation in 2012.

We note that this move to regulate follows the introduction of the Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act 2021. This legislation came into effect on 1 October last year and means that it is now illegal to administer Botox or dermal lip-fillers for cosmetic reasons to under 18s.

The press release notes that the licensing scheme will be focussed on regulating the cosmetic procedures themselves, which if performed incorrectly can cause harm, through the introduction of consistent standards for those carrying out the procedures.

Finally, DHSC state that the scope and specifics of the regime are to be determined via “extensive engagement” including a public consultation.