Botox and fillers are two examples of non-surgical cosmetic procedures that the English government has stated it intends to regulate through the implementation of licensing requirements.
Injectable treatment providers, such as those who offer Botox or fillers, will be required to have a license under the new legislation, and it will be illegal for such providers to offer their services without first obtaining a license.
Parliament is currently debating the Health and Care Bill, and an amendment has been proposed to the bill that would give the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care the authority to establish a licensing system. The vote on this amendment is expected to take place soon.
Following the completion of additional research, which will include a consultation with the general public, the scheme’s particulars will be finalized.
Even though the vast majority of people working in the aesthetics industry adhere to best practices when it comes to the safety of their patients, far too many individuals have been left with both emotional and physical scars as a result of botched cosmetic procedures.
It is imperative that we protect the well-being of patients by making it a criminal offense for anyone to carry out these cosmetic procedures without a valid license.
The proliferation of images across social media platforms has been a significant factor in the rise in demand for cosmetic procedures such as Botox and fillers.
Despite the fact that these can be carried out without risk, there has been an unacceptable increase in the number of people who have been left emotionally and physically scarred as a result of procedures that were not carried out properly.
This amendment is the next logical step toward the eventual implementation of strict regulations for non-invasive cosmetic procedures in England.
The licensing program will require therapists who perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures to meet certain standards, as well as set standards for the cleanliness and safety of the premises where these procedures are performed.
However, according to a statement released by the government, the program’s primary concentration will be on “cosmetic procedures that, if improperly performed, have the potential to cause harm.” Some examples of this category include Botox and fillers.
There is an ongoing discussion about the possibility of bringing devices, such as dermal fillers that serve no medical purpose, within the purview of medical device regulations, which is why a new licensing scheme has been implemented.
After a ban on advertisements for cosmetic procedures directed at people under the age of 18 went into effect in May 2022 and a law making it illegal to administer such treatments to those under the age of 18 went into effect in October 2021, the government has taken the latest step to protect patients by implementing the licensing plan.
The Cosmetics Industry’s Response to Botox and Filler Licenses
Our hearts are bursting with joy at the news that the government has finally enacted legislation requiring the creation of a uniform system of licensing for non-invasive cosmetic procedures.
After a year of research, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Beauty, Aesthetics, and Well-Being concluded that the regulation of these procedures is still disjointed, unclear, and outdated. This means that almost no restrictions exist on who can provide care and that anyone, regardless of their credentials, can provide care to anyone, anywhere. Because of this, consumers are now at risk, and the industry’s ability to progress has been stymied.
Though a legally mandated licensing framework is a positive development, it would be even stronger if it were supported by nationally established minimum training requirements for practitioners.
The government’s willingness to address this difficult problem is a major advance toward establishing the credibility of the cosmetics industry as a serious economic sector. For any new rule to be effective in raising the bar and keeping people safe, its implementation must be carefully examined.