New rules to crackdown on 'cosmetic cowboys'
Only qualified medics will be able do high-risk procedures like liquid BBLs, with unlimited fines for anyone caught breaking restrictions.
Ministers are promising to crackdown on so-called 'cosmetic cowboys' with new restrictions being announced.
It's in an effort to make sure those who chose to have cosmetic procedures know they are in safe hands, and not risking their lives.
There have been cases of some high risk procedures like liquid Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs) being done on the high street with the aim of the new rules to weed out rogue operators and raise standards.
For 'lower risk' treatments like Botox and lip fillers the Government says it remains committed to bringing in a licensing scheme.
Ban on 'Cosmetic Cowboys'
Under the new rules, treatments that involve injecting fillers anywhere other than the face, such as BBLs, would be legally defined as cosmetic surgical procedures – meaning they can only be performing by qualified medics.
Other high-risk treatments such as deep chemical peels, vampire facials and some laser procedures would be restricted to doctors, dentists, some nurses, midwives and pharmacists.
Those who flout the rules could be hit with unlimited fines or fixed penalties up to £4,000.
Unlimited fines
Health minister Karin Smyth said: “If you’re planning to undergo a major cosmetic procedure, you deserve to know you’re in safe hands – not risking your life with a rogue operator.
“These changes mean that only properly trained professionals can carry out the most serious, high-risk procedures, and that young people will be shielded from treatments that can go badly wrong.
“We want to drive cosmetic cowboys out of the market and raise standards across the board, giving reputable businesses a fair chance to thrive by helping people identify safe, qualified providers they can trust.”
The Government will launch a consultation asking for input from doctors, regulators and businesses to draw up draft regulations.
The blueprint will then go through the parliamentary process, which is currently planned for spring 2027.
Elsewhere, the Government also said it remains committed to implementing a licensing scheme to ensure anyone providing treatments such as Botox and lip fillers meet strict safety standards.
The consultation follows the death ofAlice Webb, a 33-year-old mother of five who died after having a liquid BBL performed in a salon in Gloucester in 2024.
There have been calls for tougher rules for years
Ashton Collins, co-founder of Save Face – the register for safe medical aesthetic practitioners, has been campaigning for tougher rules since 2023.
She said: “For too long, non-healthcare practitioners have exploited a regulatory loophole to carry out high-risk procedures, including liquid BBLs and facelifts, on members of the public.
“This has led to serious and life-threatening complications, including the death of Alice Webb, and victims have been left without justice.
“This consultation gives the public, practitioners, and experts the chance to help shape the final framework. We urge everyone to respond, and we look forward to the legislation being brought before Parliament so that it can be enacted as soon as possible to prevent further harm.”
Victoria Brownlie, chief policy and sustainability officer at the British Beauty Council, said: “Over a number of years, the line between a beauty treatment and a medical procedure has blurred.
“A lack of regulation in what has become a booming market has led to an exploitation of these gaps, placing members of the public at serious risk.
“I believe this is a vital step toward the required regulation and commend the Government for tackling this issue head-on.
“Their assurance that a licensing scheme for ‘lower risk’ treatments will follow is also much welcomed as a vital turning point to ensure the highest standards of competence and care across the beauty and aesthetics sector.”