The UK government has announced new plans to introduce a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic treatments in England - a long-awaited move to improve client safety and ensure that only appropriately qualified professionals carry out higher-risk procedures.
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What’s happening?

The proposals follow a public consultation launched in 2023 and outline new rules designed to address the lack of regulation in the non-surgical aesthetics sector. Under the new scheme:

• Only suitably qualified healthcare professionals will be able to deliver high-risk procedures such as non-surgical Brazilian Butt Lifts and genital filler.
• Clinics administering fillers and anti-wrinkle injections will need to meet strict standards to obtain a licence.
• Children are to be protected from dangerous beauty trends on social media through plans for new age restrictions on treatments.

This is a direct response to growing concerns about unsafe practices, poorly trained practitioners, and the influence of social media in promoting risky procedures to younger audiences.
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‍‍“It’s encouraging to see government moving a step closer towards their proposed licensing scheme with their ruling on tighter regulation on Brazilian Butt Lifts. I also wholeheartedly agree with the recommendations that injectables such as Botulinum Toxins (Botox) and Dermal fillers should be administered in a clinical environment with stricter licensing and legal accountability. That said I am a passionate advocate for our highly qualified and incredibly skilled beauty professionals. We deserve a level playing field for those advanced treatments that a suitably qualified and professional beauty therapist is equally if not, in some cases, arguably more skilled to perform. I therefore welcome their proposal to have further consultations and collaboration with relevant industry experts on those procedures. Getting the balance right is critical, but appropriate regulation can achieve that.”

Caroline Hirons, Founder of Skin Rocks and Beauty Backed Trust, industry expert and BABTAC board member

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"We wholeheartedly welcome any legislation that aims to protect the safety of both the clients and reputable professionals within our industry and are hugely grateful to have contributed towards this crucial consultation. 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. In recent years, the lack of regulation has meant that consumers have been exposed to unnecessary risk and danger when booking procedures of this nature, and we hope that what follows in legislation will help to mitigate those risks. The beauty industry continues to show great innovation with consumers more savvy now than ever before, so bringing in much-needed regulation is absolutely the pivotal next step to ensuring that treatments are able to be enjoyed safely, in the right hands and environment.”

Lesley Blair MBE, CEO and Chair of The British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) & CIBTAC and Beauty Backed Trustee

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Why it matters

The planned crackdown follows a series of incidents where high-risk treatments have been administered by those with little or no medical training, due to the existing lack of regulation. These new rules are designed to protect people from unqualified, ‘rogue operators’ and reduce the impact on the NHS of fixing botched procedures.

High-risk procedures, such as non-surgical Brazilian Butt Lifts known for their potentially fatal risk, will come under tighter regulation. Only qualified healthcare professionals that are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will be able to perform this high-risk treatment.

Treatments deemed ‘lower risk’ including facial dermal fillers and botulinum toxins (Botox) will come under strict 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. Once regulations are introduced, practitioners who break the rules on the highest risk procedures will be subject to CQC enforcement and financial penalties.

The new regulations will be subject to public consultation before their introduction, and the government has shared plans to work closely with stakeholders to develop further proposals for consultation on introducing the licensing regime for lower-risk procedures and to seek views on education, training standards, qualifications, infection control and insurance.

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Information and quotes taken with permission from https://www.babtac.com/news/2025/08/388-response-to-government-crackdown

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