Scottish Government to regulate non-surgical cosmetic treatments

The Scottish Government is introducing comprehensive regulations for non-surgical cosmetic treatments which are expected to be implemented by April 2026. The Scottish Government and key stakeholders have been working together to take this forward. Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) already regulates and licenses medical-based aesthetic clinics in Scotland. As a result, Scotland is leading the way in safer non-surgical treatments.

Aimed at enhancing public safety, the new legislation will set stringent standards for practitioners and clinics offering treatments such as Botox, dermal fillers, and laser therapies. Practitioners will be required to possess specific qualifications and undergo accredited training to ensure competency in delivering aesthetic procedures.

A public consultation is scheduled to be completed by Christmas 2024, with a report on the findings to follow. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding individuals seeking aesthetic treatments and ensuring that services are provided by qualified professionals in safe environments.

Specific qualifications for practitioners going forward, have not yet been finalised. However, the new Scottish legislation is aimed at people who offer treatments such as Botox, dermal fillers, and laser therapies to ensure they have appropriate qualifications, training and credentials.

Underlining the importance for regulation in this area, this year sadly saw the first death in the United Kingdom from a non-surgical BBL (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2m829lmk9o).

Underlining the Scottish Government’s determination to act, at least one clinic storing prescription Hyaluronidase without valid paperwork has already been shut down in Glasgow this week due to a series of linked compliance visits from Environmental Health Officers, according to trainer Tina McCaffrey.

Jane Bryan, of Jane Bryan Beauty Training comments on the news: “I’m really pleased to see the Scottish Government taking steps to regulate non-surgical cosmetic treatments with plans to implement these changes by April 2026. This move towards stricter standards is a big win for public safety and professionalism in our field. At Jane Bryan Beauty Training, we’ve always emphasised the importance of thorough training and the need for practitioners to be properly qualified.

“The new regulations will make this mandatory, ensuring that anyone offering treatments like muscle freezing injections, dermal fillers, and laser therapies meets high standards of competency. There’s a public consultation finishing up by Christmas 2024, and I would encourage everyone involved in aesthetic treatments to give their feedback. It’s an opportunity to shape the future of our profession.

“For those in the industry, now is the time to get ahead. Start getting a plan in place once the regulations are confirmed – where do you need to upskill from CPD to training or upgrading your qualifications to align with what will soon be required. Staying proactive about your professional development is going to be key to adapting to these new standards.”

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