Licensing Law Updater: Government Targets Unsafe Cosmetic Procedures

In a landmark move to protect public health and restore confidence in the aesthetics industry, the UK Government has announced sweeping new licensing regulations for non-surgical cosmetic procedures. The reforms, unveiled in August 2025, aim to eliminate rogue operators and ensure that treatments are only carried out by qualified professionals in safe, regulated environments.

What’s Changing?  The new framework introduces a tiered licensing system based on the risk level of procedures:

• Red Procedures (e.g. non-surgical Brazilian Butt Lifts, genital and breast fillers): These are deemed high-risk and will only be permitted in Care Quality Commission (CQC)-registered premises, performed by qualified healthcare professionals.
• Amber Procedures (e.g. Botox, dermal fillers): Practitioners must be licensed by local authorities, demonstrate appropriate training, insurance, and hygiene standards, and may require oversight by a healthcare professional.
• Green Procedures (lower-risk treatments): Can be performed by licensed practitioners, subject to meeting minimum safety and training standards.

The reforms also introduce age restrictions, banning under-18s from receiving high-risk treatments unless authorised by a healthcare professional. This follows growing concern over the influence of social media and the rise of unsafe beauty trends among young people1.

Why Now?

The crackdown follows a surge in botched procedures, including 38 cases of botulism poisoning linked to unlicensed Botox-like products in July 2025. The government estimates that the NHS spends millions annually correcting complications from poorly performed aesthetic treatments.

Minister of State for Health, Karin Smyth, described the sector as a “Wild West” plagued by “cosmetic cowboys,” and pledged to support competent practitioners while rooting out unsafe operators3.

What Practitioners Need to Know:

1. Licences will be mandatory for both practitioners and premises.
2. Training and infection control standards will be enforced.
3. Insurance and indemnity cover must be in place.
4. Non-compliance will result in enforcement action and financial penalties.

A public consultation on the scope of procedures and licensing standards is expected early next year.  In the meantime, practitioners are urged to review their qualifications, insurance, and premises standards.