The UK’s non-surgical cosmetic industry has exploded in recent years, from lip fillers and Botox, to more invasive procedures such as Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs).
However there’s also a growing concern as this surge in popularity has led to an increase in unqualified practitioners, unsafe environments, and a rise in botched treatments.
Now, the UK government is taking action by introducing new proposals aimed at bringing stricter regulations to the sector. It’s been described as the “Wild West” according to the UK’s Health Minister, so these changes will mark a significant shift for the aesthetics industry.
At LASE Cosmetic, we know that anyone considering aesthetic treatment wants to feel confident in their practitioner, the products being used, and the safety of the clinic.
With this in mind, we welcome recent changes to tighten regulation across the UK and want to take this opportunity to reassure our patients. But we don’t just follow the rules; we actively help shape the conversation around safety, ethics, and best practice in aesthetics, helping raise standards across the industry for everyone.
What the New UK Aesthetic Regulations Mean
The first part of the government’s plan focuses on the most high-risk non-surgical cosmetic treatments, particularly those that are invasive and come with serious safety risks.
Measures include:
- Only qualified health professionals will be allowed to perform non-surgical BBLs and other high-risk procedures like breast fillers
- Licensing requirements for lower-risk treatments, such as lip fillers, Botox, and facial dermal fillers. Practitioners will need to meet strict safety, training, and insurance standards before offering these services
- Age restrictions to protect under-18s from undergoing potentially harmful cosmetic procedures, especially those promoted by social media
- Local authority oversight through a licensing scheme to ensure clinics operate from safe premises and only use licensed products
Whilst there is strong support for the introduction of these measures across the industry, the implementation of which is still being refined. That said, the government has launched a public consultation and has said it could take several years for all regulations to come into force.
Why This Is An Important Step
Experts have warned about the dangers of poorly regulated, invasive non-surgical treatments for quite some time. Many procedures classed as “non-surgical” are still invasive and carry significant risks.
The industry itself has welcomed the move. The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) has called comprehensive regulation “imperative,” adding that practitioners need to be licensed, insured, and operating from safe, hygienic environments.
With almost 16,000 businesses offering non-surgical cosmetic services in England, these changes have the potential to transform the sector and protect patients. The Scottish Government recently announced new measures aimed at improving safety and raising standards within the non-surgical cosmetic procedures industry, following a public consultation.
At LASE Cosmetic, we offer a range of surgical and non-surgical treatments from our facility in Newcastle. We are committed to providing the safest, highest standards of care, applying the same hospital-grade surgical standards to our non-surgical treatments that the new regulations will now require across the industry. Many patients worry about botched treatments, unqualified injectors, or pushy sales tactics. At LASE Cosmetic, every consultation is carried out by a senior clinician, all products we use are medically approved, and our advice is always honest and tailored to each patient’s needs.
How to Choose a Clinic You Can Trust
Regardless of what treatment you’re considering, you need to spend time doing your research first.
Look for clinics that:
- Offer thorough one-to-one consultations before any treatment takes place
- Use medically approved products and equipment
- Operate in clean, clinical environments
- Put your safety and wellbeing first, over profit
At LASE Cosmetic, every consultation is carried out by a consultant or senior aesthetic nurse, and all treatments are delivered in a CQC-certified clinical environment using medically approved products and equipment.
To find out more about our services or to discuss your individual needs, book a consultation here. We look forward to welcoming you into our clinic.
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