In September 2023, we reported that the UK government was beginning a consultation into unregulated aesthetic treatments in the hopes of passing legislation that would standardise all non-surgical aesthetic treatments in England. We had hoped the legislation would have been finalised by now, ensuring that all aesthetic practitioners in England would hold regulated qualifications and deliver treatments in appropriate, clean environments so that all clients receive standardised, high-quality, safe treatments.
It is now 2025, and the Government has still not released any further updates on the developments of this non-surgical aesthetics legislation for England. However, we are pleased to announce that Scotland is looking to be the UK’s first country to introduce aesthetic treatment regulations!
Scotland’s Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures Bill will hopefully be introduced by May 2026.
The Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures Bill
The Bill set to be introduced by the Scottish Government will tackle the rapidly growing and largely unregulated advanced aesthetics cosmetic industry. Through this initiative, Scotland aims to enhance client safety, ensuring that practitioners are trained to the highest standards and increasing the accountability of practitioners when delivering non-surgical treatments in Scotland.
Non-surgical treatments such as fillers and other injectable procedures have become increasingly popular across the UK. However, many aesthetic professionals have since complained that the industry is saturated with unqualified practitioners who complete quick, non-accredited courses with no experience in beauty and aesthetics. We’re talking half a day of training to start offering injectables!
These unqualified individuals have tainted the public opinion on non-surgical aesthetic treatments due to complications such as infections, scarring, tissue damage, nerve damage and even blindness that arise from their lack of training or understanding of Anatomy and Physiology.
Professor David Sines CBE, Chair of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners, said:
“All too often it is the NHS – and therefore the taxpayer – that has to pick up the pieces when a cosmetic procedure goes wrong. The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners has seen a 400% increase in complaints in the last year alone…”
Qualified aesthetic professionals, healthcare providers, and training providers, like ourselves, have been calling for regulations in the aesthetics industry that would ensure all treatments are ONLY carried out by trained and qualified professionals.
What does the NSCP Bill propose?
As the Bill is still in its proposed phase, only basic information is available, but it would ensure clients receive safe aesthetic treatments from trained aesthetic practitioners in appropriate settings.
The proposed legislation introduces a tiered framework, relating the risk level of treatment to the qualifications of the practitioners.
- Group 1 (Low Risk): Non-medical professionals with correct training and licencing can perform treatments such as Microneedling, Laser treatments, and superficial Chemical Peels in licensed premises.
- Group 2 (Moderate Risk): Procedures that are considered more risky than Group 1, like dermal fillers, mesotherapy and Botox, must be carried out in Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) regulated premises and overseen by an appropriate healthcare professional
- Group 3 (High Risk): Procedures with higher complication risks and invasiveness or those involving prescription-only medication must be performed exclusively by a qualified healthcare professional in HIS-regulated settings.
Under the Bill, all non-surgical cosmetic procedures must be carried out in appropriate premises that meet hygiene standards and health and safety guidelines.
When will the NSCP Bill be implemented?
The Scottish Government has said the Bill will be passed in the current session, which ends in May 2026. Based on this information, we expect the Bill to pass before May 2026, aligning with the current parliamentary session.
We cannot provide an exact date right now as the NSCP Bill is still in its early stages, and the timeframe for commencement varies based on many factors.
A Bill must pass multiple stages, including committee reviews, debates, and potential amendments. Even after it passes, there is a period to allow for legal challenges. Finally, it reaches Royal Assent, where the King grants it, and then there is a date for it to come into effect.
It is worth noting that the NSCP Bill will not come into effect immediately once it reaches Royal Assent; instead, it will be phased in. The phasing-in process is excellent news for those already working in the industry, as it will give them time to adapt their businesses to the new legislation.
What does this mean for England and its Non-Surgical Aesthetics Industry?
Scotland’s Non-Surgical Cosmetics Procedures Bill represents a significant step towards safeguarding clients seeking aesthetic treatments. By introducing this regulated framework, Scotland will see an increase in safe procedures carried out by qualified professionals.
Here at Ray Cochrane, we hope this Bill will set a precedent for a UK-wide regulation, with England, Wales, and Northern Ireland following Scotland’s lead.
We can only speculate on what we can expect to see if and when England passes their own regulations on non-surgical aesthetic treatments.
For example, we expect England to implement a tiered system as proposed during the consultation process. England’s proposal suggested a Red, Amber and Green categorisation, with red being the riskiest of treatments and green being for the low-risk procedures. We anticipate that treatments in the red category will require practitioners to complete Level 5 and 6 qualifications if they do not hold medical training. Meanwhile, treatments in the green category will need a relevant Level 4 certificate.
England’s proposal also suggested an age restriction on who can receive non-surgical aesthetic treatments. Scotland’s Bill is still finalising whether or not there should be an age restriction for young people wanting to access these treatments, and the government is still weighing public opinion.
Overall, we expect that when England finally passes regulations for non-surgical aesthetic treatments, it will focus on safety and professionalism in the aesthetics sector.
How can Practitioners Prepare for the Non-Surgical Cosmetics Procedures Bill?
Although the Bill is currently only being proposed in Scotland, aesthetic treatment providers across the UK should start preparing for the regulations that will eventually occur in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We highly recommend continuous training for those who want to work in the UK’s Aesthetics industry. As a non-surgical aesthetician, you should invest in accredited and regulated courses that meet the new standards. Upskilling will help align your skills and experience with future requirements and enhance client trust and credibility.
Practitioners should begin reviewing their current services and treatment protocols to determine compliance with anticipated licencing, hygiene and safety standards to get ahead of the changes.
It’s also essential to stay updated throughout the legislative process. As the Bill moves through parliament, the final details are likely to change and evolve. Many trusted organisations provide timely insights, guidance, and summaries to break down these complex changes. Of course, we will also keep our readers updated on the development of the NSCP Bill.
What OFQUAL-Regulated Courses can you complete with Ray Cochrane?
At Ray Cochrane Beauty School, we offer a range of OFQUAL-regulated courses designed to equip aspiring and even experienced aestheticians with future-proof qualifications. Our courses are accredited by VTCT and ITEC, ensuring they meet the highest education and training standards.
We offer tailored Level 4 courses for beauty therapists and aestheticians looking to advance their skills in non-surgical treatments.
- VTCT Level 4 Certificate in Laser and IPL Treatments
- VTCT Level 4 Certificate in Microneedling
- VTCT Level 4 Certificate in Chemical Skin Peeling
- VTCT Level 4 Fibroblast Plasma Pen
- VTCT Combined Level 4 Microneedling and Chemical Peels
We offer Level 5 and 6 courses for practitioners seeking to specialise in advanced aesthetic treatments. These courses position you as a specialist in specific aesthetic treatments, meeting the growing demand for highly skilled professionals with regulated credentials in the industry.
Enrolling in our OFQUAL-regulated courses ensures that your qualifications and skills are recognised and respected across the UK. Stay ahead in the aesthetics industry by choosing Ray Cochrane Beauty Aesthetic Academy.
To find out how we can help, get in touch with our friendly team today: call 0203 856 8886 or email email@raycochrane.co.uk.
