A raft of measures designed to “crack down on cowboy cosmetic procedures” that have left people maimed, injured and needing urgent NHS care are to be introduced, according to the government.
Under the new regulations, the government said only qualified healthcare professionals would be able to perform the highest risk procedures – such as non-surgical ‘Brazilian butt lifts’.
“These proposals have our full support and we welcome the opportunity to engage in further consultation”
David Sines
In addition, it said these must be done by specialised healthcare workers working in providers that are registered with the Care Quality Commission.
The changes follow a series of incidents where high-risk treatments have been given by people with little or no clinical training, leading to dangerous complications, permanent scarring and even death.
There have been reports of unqualified individuals performing invasive treatments in unsafe environments, including homes, hotels and pop-up clinics.
The new rules, which fall under the government’s overall Plan for Change, would protect people from “unqualified, rogue operators” while also reducing the cost to the NHS of having to fix botched procedures.
Announcing the move late on Wednesday, health minister Karin Smyth said: “The cosmetics industry has been plagued by a ‘wild west’ of dodgy practitioners and procedures.
“This government is taking action to protect those seeking treatments, support honest and competent practitioners, and root out the cowboys,” she said.
Other lower risk cosmetic treatments often provided by nurses – including Botox, lip fillers and facial dermal fillers – will also come under stricter oversight through a new local authority licensing system.
Practitioners will be required to meet “rigorous” safety, training, and insurance standards before they can legally operate, according to the government.
Once regulations are introduced, practitioners who break the rules on the highest risk procedures will be subject to CQC enforcement and financial penalties, it warned.
The government also said it planned to bring in restrictions for under 18s on high-risk cosmetic procedures, unless authorised by a healthcare professional.
Priority will be given to introducing regulations to restrict the highest risk procedures first – such as fillers injected into breasts and genitals.
The new regulations will be subject to a public consultation on the range of procedures to be covered by them early next year, plus parliamentary scrutiny, before they are introduced.
The government will also develop further proposals for consultation on the new licensing regime for lower-risk procedures, covering training standards, qualifications, infection control and insurance.
Professor David Sines is a registered nurse, respected nursing academic and currently executive chair and registrar of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP).
He said: “The JCCP warmly welcomes the UK government’s decision to introduce legislation to regulate and licence cosmetic procedures according to the risks they present.
“The introduction of standards to ensure that patients are safeguarded and protected from harm, ensuring that all cosmetic practitioners are regulated and licensed to a new national education and training standard, that they are appropriately insured and that they work from safe premises at all times, has become imperative.
He added: “These proposals have our full support and we welcome the opportunity to engage in further consultation.”
Meanwhile, Millie Kendall, chief executive officer of the British Beauty Council, welcomed the government’s announcement that it was pushing forward with legislation.
She said: “Any measures that increase protection for the general public and professionalise the industry will help instil confidence.
“We will work closely with relevant government stakeholders to ensure these measures are implemented in a way that ensures the sustained, and safe, growth of our sector.”
Lesley Blair, chief executive and chair of the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology, said she also welcomed any legislation to protect the safety of clients and reputable professionals.
“We believe that this decision will not only help to bring the clarity, protection and regulation that we have been campaigning for, for many years, but will reassure consumers navigating our industry.”
A previous government consultation on proposals for strengthening regulation in this space was launched in September 2023, which received almost 12,000 responses.
The current government said it would be running the further consultations, as there were many issues to consider in designing the regulations that were not in the remit of the initial consultation.
A separate public consultation was launched in Scotland last year on the regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
The UK Health Security Agency and Medicines (UKHSA) and a range of other bodies are continuing to investigate a number of adverse reactions following cosmetic procedures involving botulinum toxin.
An update published today by the UKHSA said the number of clinically confirmed cases of iatrogenic botulism reported between 4 June and 6 August 2025 was now 41.
Cases have so far been reported in the North East, East Midlands, East of England, North West and Yorkshire and Humber.
Investigations are ongoing but evidence suggests an unlicensed Botox-like product. Reactions have included difficulty swallowing, slurred speech and breathing difficulty requiring respiratory support.
