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PSA welcomes Government commitments to strengthening regulation for non-surgical cosmetics in England and Scotland, but urges a consistent UK-wide approach
07 Aug 2025
The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) has welcomed the UK and Scottish Governments’ commitment to strengthen regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England and Scotland.
While each of the four nations – England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland (NI) – is responsible for meeting the health and social care needs of its own population, devolved competence over professional regulation differs across these jurisdictions.
These new measures in England and Scotland, which include licensing schemes and tougher penalties for illegal practice, mark a significant step forward in protecting the public from harm.
Non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as Botox, dermal fillers, and chemical peels are increasingly popular, yet they carry serious risks when performed by poorly trained or unscrupulous practitioners. The PSA has repeatedly raised concerns about the lack of oversight in this sector and supports the introduction of robust safeguards.
The PSA also commends the Scottish Government’s decision to restrict access to cosmetic procedures for under-18s, aligning with legislation already in place in England since 2021. Plans to extend restrictions to a wider range of treatments within England are also a welcome development.
However, the PSA remains concerned about the regulatory gaps in Wales and NI, where no equivalent licensing schemes currently exist. This inconsistency risks encouraging ‘cosmetic tourism’, with individuals seeking treatments from unregulated providers in countries with weaker protections.
The PSA accredits two registers for non-surgical cosmetic practitioners, the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners and Save Face. Until the new measures are in place, we strongly encourage anyone seeking non-surgical cosmetic treatments to look for our Quality Mark to check if their practitioner is registered.
Caroline Corby, Chair of the PSA said: “The PSA has persistently raised concerns about the unmanaged risks to the public and has called for swift action to close the regulatory gaps. We call on the Governments in Wales and NI to consider introducing similar safeguards to protect the public. We look forward to working with the UK and Scottish Governments on the development of legislation.”
ENDS
Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care
Contact: media@professionalstandards.org.uk
Notes to the editor
- The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) is the UK’s oversight body for the regulation of people working in health and social care. Our statutory remit, independence and expertise underpin our commitment to the safety of patients and service-users, and to the protection of the public. There are 10 organisations that regulate health professionals in the UK and social workers in England by law. We audit their performance and review their decisions on practitioners’ fitness to practise. We also accredit and set standards for organisations holding registers of health and care practitioners not regulated by law. We collaborate with all of these organisations to improve standards. We share good practice, knowledge and our right-touch regulation expertise.
- We also conduct and promote research on regulation. We monitor policy developments in the UK and internationally, providing guidance to governments and stakeholders. Through our UK and international consultancy, we share our expertise and broaden our regulatory insights.
- The PSA accredits two registers for non-surgical cosmetic practitioners, the Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners (www.jccp.org.uk) and Save Face (www.saveface.co.uk).
- Our values are – integrity, transparency, respect, fairness and teamwork – and we strive to ensure that they are at the core of our work.