“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.”
Approaches to the regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures across the UK
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.
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.
Northern Ireland
There is currently no dedicated regulatory or licensing framework for non-surgical cosmetic treatments, or age restrictions.
Despite calls for reform, there are currently no plans to introduce regulation.
Scotland
New legislation passed in March 2026 introduces stricter controls on certain higher-risk procedures, such as Botox, requiring them to be carried out by, or alongside, certain healthcare professionals in a registered setting. The Act also bans certain procedures from being given to under-18s.
A Licensing Order for lower risk treatments is also being established. Businesses have until September 2027 to make necessary changes.
PSA activity
- Safer care for Scotland - a manifesto for change: in February 2026, we published our manifesto, where we called for the next Scottish Government to maintain momentum in introducing a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures. We also highlighted the need to learn from past mistakes by creating a unified process and clear accountability so that learning from major inquiries leads to measurable change.
- Response to the HSCSC call for evidence on the Non-surgical Procedures (Scotland) Bill: in our submission (published in November 2025), we outlined our support for the Bill’s intent to restrict access to higher and medium-risk procedures to adults and in regulated settings.
- Response to the Scottish Government consultation on licensing non-surgical cosmetics: in our response (published in February 2025), we expressed support for a ban on higher risk treatments for under-18s, which would bring Scotland in line with England to reduce the risk of ‘cosmetic tourism’ across the UK. We believe any scheme introduced should be simple and transparent. The requirements for different procedures must be clearly communicated with the public so they know what to look for and how to choose a practitioner.
Wales
A licensing scheme for “special procedures” is already in place (covering procedures like tattooing and acupuncture).
There are powers to add further aesthetic procedures, such as Botox and fillers, to the scheme in future, but no timetable has been confirmed.
PSA activity
- Safer care for Wales: a manifesto for change: in our 2026 Wales manifesto (published in February 2026), we called for the next Welsh Government to extend the local authority licensing scheme for special procedures to include non-surgical cosmetic procedures. We also called for clearer accountability so that learning from major reviews in Wales and across the UK leads to real, measurable change.
- Response to Welsh Government consultation on Mandatory Licensing of Special Procedures in Wales: in our response (published in April 2023), we outlined our support for the Welsh Government’s intention to address some of the outstanding risks associated with the carrying out of special procedures, but underlined that, when developing the scheme, it is important that the Welsh Government fully considers how licensing will interact with existing means of assurance, including both statutory regulation and voluntary registration through the Accredited Registers programme.
England
There is currently no sector-wide licensing scheme in England for non-surgical cosmetic practitioners, although some practitioners are subject to existing professional regulation and other legal requirements. However, powers exist to introduce a licensing scheme under the Health and Care Act 2022.
The Government plans to consult during 2026 (timing to be be confirmed) on restricting higher risk procedures, with wider licensing proposals to follow.
PSA activity:
- Evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee: in July 2025, we provided a submission to the call for evidence by the Women and Equalities Committee as part of their Inquiry into the Health impacts of breast implants and other cosmetic procedures. Our response focuses on highlighting the regulatory gap that we believe exists in relation to non-surgical cosmetic procedures and reiterating our support for a risk-based approach including the introduction of licensing schemes to mitigate the risks and the maintenance of UK-wide consistency as far as possible. We also highlight our view that further attention could be given to strengthening and supporting existing means of assurance, for example the PSA’s Accredited Registers programme and the need for effective public communication to ensure members of the public know how to make safe choices when seeking out treatment.
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