A local authority licensing system is to be developed to regulate unsafe cosmetic treatments, with the delivery of high-risk procedures like Brazilian Butt Lifts subject to stricter rules.

The measures set out by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) seek to limit ‘cowboy’ cosmetic procedures that have resulted in ‘dangerous complications, permanent scarring and even death’ when performed by unqualified individuals.

As part of the guidance, councils will be required to regulate the delivery of low-risk treatments such as Botox and filler, ensuring practitioners meet the legal requirements of ‘rigorous safety, training, and insurance standards’, or face penalty fines.

The rules will see that procedures which pose the highest risk, like Brazilian Butt Lifts, are only performed by ‘qualified healthcare professionals’.

In addition to the training standards to be introduced, the Government also intends to impose an 18+ age limit on high-risk cosmetic procedures.

Reducing Risk and Cost

According to the DHSC, the changes will help reduce the risks associated with unsafe treatments, as well as reducing strain on the healthcare system.

Minister of State for Health Karin Smyth 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 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’, she added.

A ‘Matter of Urgency’

Mark Elliott, President of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, said: ‘We welcome the Government’s plans to take action on the highest risk cosmetic procedures but are concerned by the continuing delay in implementation of the new licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures proposed under the previous government.’

‘We are calling on the Government to implement the proposed new licensing scheme as a matter of urgency’, he added.