Consultation launched on improving cosmetic sector safety
It follows a pledge by Scotland’s public health minister Jenni Minto in August that the Scottish Government would “close the gaps” in regulation following a Herald investigative series which exposed dangerous practices and fears for public safety.
The consultation says procedures should only be carried out by healthcare professionals or by another “suitably trained and qualified practitioner”.
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It also proposes splitting treatments into three groups according to risk.
Group One procedures with “the lowest level of risk” – including chemical peels, microneedling, LED therapy, and laser treatments for hair and tattoo removal – could be carried out by a trained practitioner who is not a healthcare professional.
Group Two procedures – including Botox and dermal filler injections – would have to be carried out in HIS-regulated premises, but could by done by a non-healthcare professional with appropriate training as long as a health professional is on site to intervene if something goes wrong.
Group Three treatments which are higher risk and more invasive “should always be undertaken by an appropriate healthcare professional”.
These would include the injection of dermal filler for breast or buttock augmentation – so-called “liquid BBLs” – any form of liposuction, or the use of any products derived from the patient’s blood.
Independent healthcare clinics in Scotland – many of which provide NSCPs – are already regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, meaning that they are subject to inspections and regulatory fees.
However, there is currently nothing to stop non-healthcare professionals providing treatments such as filler injections in beauty salons, hairdressers, or private homes free from any monitoring by HIS.
Some advertise their services online, typically with much lower prices compared to regulated clinics.
Campaigners have previously called for a blanket ban on anyone who is not a regulated healthcare professional – such as a nurse, dentist, doctor, or midwife – from carry out NSCPs amid a rise in people being injured by botched treatment.
The new consultation builds on a previous one in 2020 and puts forward more detailed proposals for what that further regulation could look like.
The deadline to respond to the consultation is February 14 2025.
“The current gaps in regulation means that anyone can perform most of these procedures without the need for any formal training or qualifications and this consultation aims to gather a wide range of views on how best to address this.
“We want to make sure procedures are carried out by appropriately qualified and skilled practitioners so that clients have peace of mind.
“We are aware of the potential impact on businesses and we are working with a range of stakeholders to make sure we get those details right.
“Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that robust and proportionate regulation is introduced to ensure that people who choose to have these procedures, can do so with the confidence they will be safe so please let us know your views.”
Chair of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners, Professor David Sines CBE said: “I warmly welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to consult on this new, proposed scheme of regulation and licensing.
“In my opinion the proposals included in this consultation document will dramatically improve consumer safety and reduce the risk of injury and harm arising from improperly performed cosmetic treatments.
“Nothing is more important than public protection and patient safety.
“I would urge everybody to support this move towards sensible and proportionate regulation in this important sector.”
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