What are the UK’s aesthetics regulations?

‘Tweakments’ are ever on the rise. Which, in an industry as notoriously self-regulated as the UK aesthetics one, has the potential to play fast and loose with public safety.

While no aesthetician worth their salt would intentionally put their client in harm’s way, botched treatments do happen. And when they do, they can have serious consequences for your business.  

So, it’s important to take care. Because the time when regulators raise the bar for aesthetics and cosmetic practitioners might come around sooner than anyone thinks.

With that in mind, here’s our guide to the current regulations, government guidelines, and laws for aesthetics in the UK…and what any new regulations might look like.

What’s in store for the UK aesthetics industry in 2024?

First, let’s take a look at some of the current trends and predictions for the UK aesthetics industry.

Artificial intelligence should continue to fuel efficiency and innovation. This includes the development of platforms like Renude, where real-life experts use AI technology to deliver personalised skin care advice.

Growing consumer awareness of the relationship between how we look and how we feel (as shown by the popularity of phrases like ‘neuro glow’ trending on social media) indicates a more holistic approach to aesthetics in 2024.

And with the non-invasive treatments market valued at over £45.5 billion globally (and predicted to triple by 2030), this should continue to grow and evolve.

Although the frequency of extreme weather across the globe could also mean more customers seek out collagen-stimulating procedures like hybrid dermal fillers and ultrasound treatments – favouring rejuvenation over anti-aging, and sustainability over dramatic, short-term results.

What are the government guidelines for carrying out aesthetics treatments in the UK?

By all accounts, including a government-commissioned review of the UK aesthetics industry in 2023, it’s a fragmented picture.

Currently, the UK’s laws and regulations for aesthetics focus on two main areas: the supply of prescription-only drugs (including botulinum toxin AKA Botox) via a prescribing medical professional and on the safety of work premises.

This means that the bulk of regulatory scrutiny is directed at registered medics, rather than on unlicensed beauty practitioners.

What’s more, there are currently no legal requirements for administering non-surgical aesthetic treatments in the UK.

That means that while you’d need a prescribing medic to issue a drug like Botox in the first place, you don’t need to carry an aesthetics license to administer Botox, lip fillers, or any other non-invasive cosmetic procedures. And while qualifications are strongly recommended by governing bodies like Save Face, they’re not yet legally required.

Putting people before practice

The absence of a solid legal framework within the UK’s aesthetics industry, however, doesn’t mean governing bodies don't outline what qualifications you'd need to start a practice. Or that practitioners shouldn’t exercise extreme caution.

If you’re a non-medically trained practitioner who administers Botox or filler injections in your own living room, or travels to your client’s office, you'll need to take care. If your local authority finds that your premises don't meet their standards, you could get investigated by their Environment Health Officers, shut down, and even prosecuted.

But that’s the extreme. Currently, there are at least 940 medical aesthetic clinics in the UK. Most (if not all) are adequately insured and qualified to carry out treatments safely.

Keeping pace with regulatory changes

For your aesthetics clinic to be 100% reputable and above board, knowing about safe practice is a must. Training is part of that. But so is practicing effective risk management, such as taking before and after photos, getting signed consent forms from all your clients, and having the appropriate aesthetics insurance.

Looking ahead to what new aesthetics regulations might be around the corner can’t hurt either. It means that when legislative change does arrive in the UK, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running.

When will the new regulations for aesthetics businesses be introduced?

In 2021, the aesthetics industry was called a ‘wild west industry’ by MPs. Since then, there have been promising signs that new aesthetics regulations will be introduced to the UK sooner rather than later.

Currently, only a small number of local authorities (including ones in London, Birmingham, and Essex) operate their own cosmetics licensing schemes. However, these vary in the number and type of treatments they cover.

In 2022, an amendment to the Health and Care Bill gave the health secretary power to introduce a national licensing scheme for practitioners carrying out non-surgical treatments in the UK.

While most governing bodies have already submitted their recommendations, no timeline has been set just yet. However, it might mean the introduction of a ‘traffic light’ system which categorises all cosmetic procedures according to risk.

It may also mean aestheticians will have to carry two licences, a personal and a premises one.

What will the UK’s new aesthetics regulations look like for practitioners?

Currently, it’s hard to know what the new rules and regulations for aesthetics might look like. Although, based on recommendations from governing bodies, we can see what a new licensing scheme could look like.

Assuming the government goes ahead with a ‘traffic light’ system, it’s likely that carrying a credible healthcare qualification will remain an essential requirement for medics carrying out high-risk (or ‘red’) procedures like thread lifting or hair restoration surgery. On the non-surgical cosmetics side, ‘amber’ practitioners who administer Botox and dermal filler injections may need to be licensed and supervised by a healthcare professional when administering a treatment.

Standards should be set for low-risk (or ‘green’) procedures like micro needling, too. Aestheticians practicing these might be allowed to do so unsupervised. However, they’ll still need to meet certain hygiene and safety standards to ensure their clinic gets its licence to practice.

Who regulates the aesthetics industry in the UK?

Governing bodies like Save Face and the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) have worked hard to campaign for more regulation in the UK aesthetics industry.

In addition, each regulatory body sets its own rules as a condition of membership.

For medics, the General Medical Council (GMC), General Dental Council (GDC), and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) can sanction any member who doesn’t comply. Falling foul of the regulations could result in you losing your licence and being struck off their register.

Standard regulations include making sure there’s a prescribing medic at client pre-consultations for treatments like Botox. As well as having professional indemnity insurance (for example, medical malpractice insurance) that covers the full scope of your practice.

For non-medics, the governing bodies include the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC), the Hair and Beauty Industry Authority (Habia), the National Hairdressing and Beauty Federation (NHBF), and the UK Spa Association (UKSA).

These organisations set their own standards and are likely to recommend treatment liability insurance to their members. Many offer their own insurance schemes although it’s worth looking at what a broker can offer too.

Will the UK’s new aesthetics regulations include any insurance requirements?

At the very least, you might be required to have some form of indemnity insurance. These are usually referred to as ‘medical malpractice insurance’ or ‘treatment liability insurance’ (depending on whether you’re a medic or non-medic).

Indemnity insurance covers your practice for bodily injury, illness, or death of clients caused by your negligence. It pays for a lawyer to defend you from claims, sorts out any legal costs, and covers any compensation you might owe to your client.

Other types of aesthetics insurance include public liability and employers’ liability (this last one's legally required if you have employees).

Having aesthetics insurance shouldn’t be an exercise in box-ticking, however. A botched treatment for Botox or fillers could see you paying out £tens of thousands of pounds in legal fees and compensation to your client. Not to mention the irreversible damage caused to your reputation.

Need help with aesthetics insurance? Give us a call on 0345 222 5391.

Image used under license from iStock.