New regulations to crack down on ‘cowboy’ cosmetic procedures

New government regulations will mean only qualified healthcare professionals such as nurses will be able to perform ‘high-risk’ cosmetic procedures, such as Brazilian Butt Lifts.

Stricter oversight of lower risk cosmetic treatments – including Botox, lip fillers and facial dermal fillers – will also be introduced through a new ‘local authority licensing system’.

The Department of Health and Social Care has announced its intention to introduce these measures as part of a crackdown on unsafe cosmetic procedures which it says have ‘left people maimed, injured and in need of urgent NHS care’.

The move follows a consultation on the issue launched last September and also comes amid reports of unregulated cosmetic procedures taking place in ‘pop up’ shops on high streets, in public toilets and hotel rooms.

The government said it was now developing new regulations – subject to public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny – to address the situation to better protect the public and reduce NHS time and money fixing botched procedures.

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Measures put forward by the government include that only qualified healthcare professionals will be able to perform the highest risk procedures – such as non-surgical Brazilian Butt Lifts.

Such procedures will also have to be done in providers that are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Once regulations are in place, the government said practitioners who break the rules on the highest risk procedures will be subject to ‘CQC enforcement and financial penalties’.

The government also plans to bring in restrictions for under 18s on high-risk cosmetic procedures, unless authorised by a healthcare professional.

It is also looking to introduce stricter oversight on lower risk cosmetic treatments through a new local authority licensing system.

It said it would work closely with stakeholders to develop further proposals on a licensing system for a consultation that will seek views on education, training standards, qualifications, infection control and insurance.

Though it stressed that introducing regulations to restrict the highest risk procedures will be prioritised and a public consultation on what procedures should be covered will be published ‘early next year’.

Health minister Karin Smyth said: ‘The cosmetics industry has been plagued by a Wild West of dodgy practitioners and procedures.

‘There are countless horror stories of cosmetic cowboys causing serious, catastrophic damage.’

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She added that the government was ‘taking action to protect those seeking treatments, support honest and competent practitioners, and root out the cowboys’.

‘This isn’t about stopping anyone from getting treatments – it’s about preventing rogue operators from exploiting people at the expense of their safety and keeping people safe.

‘We’re giving them peace of mind and reducing the cost to the NHS of fixing botched procedures.’

Earlier this year, general practice nurses (GPNs) shared their concerns about the ‘strain’ on the NHS caused by patients having surgeries abroad during the Royal College of Nursing’s annual congress.

One practice nurse, La Toya de Freitas, described how GPNs were seeing ‘a lot’ of patients who need support after they have undergone surgeries overseas.

Chief executive of the British Beauty Council, Millie Kendall, said she welcomed the government’s announcement.

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‘Any measures that increase protection for the general public and professionalise the industry will help instil confidence as well as helping to prevent the normalisation of horror stories that have become synonymous with our sector,’ she said.

‘We will work closely with relevant government stakeholders to ensure these measures are implemented in a way that ensures the sustained, and safe, growth of our sector.’