Cosmetic Regulations Consultation

Karin Smyth Excerpts

Wednesday 21st October 2026 Written Statements

[The Minister for Secondary Care (Karin Smyth)]

This Government are determined to address long-standing concerns around the safety of cosmetic procedures.

Last year we pledged to introduce further regulation of the sector, and we have now launched a public consultation on much-needed safeguards to improve standards. Under our proposals, only qualified healthcare professionals will be able to perform the highest-risk procedures, such as the liquid Brazilian butt lift, and the Care Quality Commission will have powers to take enforcement action against rogue practitioners.

Cosmetic procedures can be very positive experiences, and this industry is growing to meet demand as more and more people seek to take advantage of the increasing availability and affordability of an expanding range of treatments. We recognise that many practitioners in this area are well trained and provide a good, safe service. We also value the contribution that this fast-growing industry makes to the economy, and the employment opportunities that it provides.

However, as has been widely acknowledged, regulation has not kept pace with this expansion. For too long, unsafe practices have been left unchecked, and ill-qualified, unscrupulous individuals have undertaken invasive procedures, at great risk to the public and sometimes with tragic consequences.

Our draft regulations, informed by extensive engagement with expert stakeholders, would restrict the performance of all cosmetic surgery to doctors who are regulated to strict standards set by the General Medical Council and who work for CQC-regulated providers. In addition, high-risk non-surgical cosmetic and wellbeing procedures would be restricted to specified groups of regulated healthcare professionals. To ensure the safety of young people, those under the age of 18 would be prohibited from receiving certain high-risk treatments when performed for cosmetic or wellbeing purposes.

These measures provide the public with reassurance that their chosen procedure meets robust regulatory standards.

This is part of a broader programme of reform in this area. We are also committed to introducing a local authority licensing scheme for lower-risk cosmetic procedures in the current Parliament, ensuring that practitioners are appropriately trained, insured, and working to safe standards.

[HCWS402]