Non-surgical cosmetic procedures - supporting safer practice

Non-surgical cosmetic procedures, such as injectables, fillers and skin treatments, are increasingly common across the UK. While many people choose these treatments safely, there are still significant gaps in how they are regulated. The PSA is calling for a clear, consistent and risk-based approach across all four UK nations to better protect the public, raise standards of consumer safety and support safer practice across the sector.

Look before You Book

The PSA’s ‘Look Before You Book’ campaign has launched. We want people to make informed choices before using private health and wellbeing services. The campaign encourages you to look for the Accredited Registers Quality Mark and check if practitioners are on a PSA Accredited Register, before you book a treatment or service.

Find out more about the campaign

Stronger safeguards are needed

The PSA has been calling for stronger safeguards for people undergoing non-surgical cosmetic procedures for several years. We responded to consultations by both the UK and Scottish Governments on proposals to introduce licensing schemes and published briefings setting out our recommendations. Since then, both Governments have committed to taking forward reform. 

In England, the Government has confirmed plans to introduce a tiered licensing scheme for lower- and medium-risk procedures through local authorities, with additional restrictions for higher-risk procedures. A further consultation is expected on the detailed proposals for higher-risk treatments. In Scotland, work is continuing to implement a licensing scheme, with preparations underway for introduction of the new arrangements by September 2027. 

While these developments are welcome, significant gaps in public protection remain until the new arrangements are in place and in Wales and Northern Ireland where no commitment to introduce new safeguards has yet been made. 

The PSA continues to work with governments and stakeholders across the UK to support effective regulation and encourage a consistent, risk-based approach wherever possible. 
In the meantime, we encourage members of the public to check whether practitioners belong to a PSA Accredited Register before booking treatment.

Read a Q&A with PSA Chair Caroline Corby and find out more about the PSA's work on non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

Why regulation matters

Concerns about non-surgical cosmetic procedures are long-standing. The 2013 Keogh Review, commissioned after the PIP breast implant scandal, described non-surgical interventions as a “crisis waiting to happen” because of the lack of regulation, training standards and patient protection. More than a decade later, many of those concerns remain, with no mandatory requirements in place for some of the highest-risk procedures.

The regulation safety gap

New research commissioned by the PSA reveals consumers spend almost as long researching a hotel stay as they do a private baby scan clinic, with 1 in 4 not considering safety checks when booking appointments.

75%

believe therapists are legally regulated

36%

sold by 5-star reviews on social media

24%

do less checking when looking for a last-minute slot

53%

of 15-24 year olds believe aesthetic practitioners are regulated

“As demand has grown, so have reports of botched procedures and unsafe practices. Treatments are sometimes administered not in clinics, but in beauty salons or even private homes. Although more men are seeking treatment, women continue to make up the majority of consumers, possibly influenced by intense societal pressure around female appearance.”

Caroline Corby, PSA Chair, in a Q&A on Non-surgical cosmetic procedures and how to improve safety

Safer care for all 

We recently took stock of progress made on the recommendations we put forward in our 2022 report – Safer care for all: solutions from professional regulation and beyond – this included highlighting the continuing safety gap associated with these types of procedures.

Our ongoing call for safer care

We will continue to call for appropriate safeguards for non-surgical cosmetic procedures across the UK. A clear, consistent and risk-based approach would help reduce harm, support safer practice and give the public better information when choosing a practitioner.

Choosing a practitioner

If you are considering a non-surgical cosmetic procedure, look for our Quality Mark. It shows that a practitioner’s register is accredited and meets our Standards for Accredited Registers. 

We currently accredit two voluntary registers in this area: Save Face and the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners.

If you are considering any kind of treatment - use our check a practitioner tool