NEWS AND ANALYSIS

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Government announces new regulations for aesthetic and non-invasive procedures

The UK Government has confirmed that it will introduce a licensing scheme to regulate aesthetic and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, in a move that aims to improve public safety and raise professional standards across the industry.

The announcement follows a public consultation process and years of campaigning from industry bodies, including The Joint Council for

Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) and the British Beauty Council. The Government has outlined a tiered approach to regulation based on the level of risk associated with procedures. One of the key elements of the new framework is that only registered clinicians will be able to perform the riskiest procedures such as Brazilian Butt Lifts, these high-risk procedures must be undertaken by organisations that are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). In addition, procedures involving botulinum toxin or fillers will now become properly licenced through a new local authority licensing scheme.

It will be illegal to administer regulated and licensed procedures to young people under the age of 18 unless it has been authorised by a clinician, and practitioners will need to meet strict standards on education, training, infection control, patient safety, and insurance before they can operate legally.

The highest-risk procedures are the priority for regulation. A public consultation on the wider scope of treatments, including those considered medium- and low-risk, is expected early next year.

While there will be no immediate changes to the way practitioners operate, the announcement signals the start of a significant shift in how the aesthetic sector is governed.

“This Government is taking action to protect those seeking treatments, support honest and competent practitioners, and root out the cowboys as part of our Plan for Change,” said Minister of State for Health Karin Smyth.

“This isn’t about stopping anyone from getting treatments – it’s about preventing rogue operators from exploiting people at the expense of their safety and keeping people safe,” Smyth added.

UKHSA issues warning over botulism caused by fake toxin

41 cases of botulism poisoning have been recorded in England following the suspected use of unlicensed ‘Botox-like’ products between 4 June and 6 August 2025, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said in a statement.

The agency is warning people to be aware of the symptoms of botulism after a group of individuals sought help, after experiencing adverse reactions following botulinum toxin injections.

Reactions have included difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, and breathing difficulty.

The UKHSA has issued national advice to clinicians to ensure that they look out for botulism in people who have had recent procedures, providing them with appropriate treatment, which includes administering anti-toxin.

Symptoms of botulism can take up to 4 weeks to develop. Patients who have had a recent botulinum toxin treatment and are experiencing symptoms should contact NHS 111 for advice and seek treatment.

“We are working closely with our partners to reduce the public health risk and would advise people to make sure they take precautions when seeking aesthetic procedures. Botulism related to aesthetic procedures is rare, but it can be serious,” said Dr Gauri Godbole, consultant medical microbiologist at UKHSA.

Trading Standards calls for urgent regulation of fat injections, fillers and anti-wrinkle injections

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is calling for urgent regulation to clamp down on providers of aesthetic procedures such as fat injections, Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBL), botulinum toxin and fillers – warning the public of the ‘wild west’ of untrained, unlicensed and uninsured individuals who may be putting lives in danger.

It has been over a decade since the Government was warned about the need for control of the market in aesthetic procedures, but a vacuum remains, which has already put lives at risk, including the case of Alice Webb, a 33-year-old mother of five, who died following a reported non-surgical BBL in September 2024. A procedure which involves injecting filler, usually reserved for the face, into the buttocks.

“Since 2023, we have been campaigning for the government to ban liquid BBLs from the high street and restrict their administration to qualified plastic surgeons,” said Ashton Collins, Director at Save Face, a government-approved registry of accredited practitioners. “We cautioned that without urgent action, lives would be at risk, and sadly, in 2024, Alice Webb tragically lost her life after undergoing a liquid BBL procedure. Alongside CTSI, we are determined to ensure our call to restrict liquid BBLs is acted upon.”

Trading Standards officers have also uncovered concerning non-clinical locations where procedures such as fillers are being administered, including “pop up” shops on high streets, cubicles in public toilets and hotel rooms. These locations fall outside of typical business premises and make taking action against unscrupulous businesses far more challenging.

New study reveals acne is keeping nearly 1 in 3 teens from school

A new survey by The Skin Investment Clinic, in partnership with Luna, the health and wellness app for teens, has revealed a worrying link between acne and the UK’s rising school absenteeism.

According to a recent separate survey by the charity Parentkind, nearly one in three children have refused to attend school at least once in the past year.

The latest data from The Skin Investment Clinic and Luna highlights how acne is contributing to the crisis, with 32% of young people saying their skin concerns make them less likely to attend school.

Nearly 70% of young people say acne affects their daily lives either all or some of the time. The emotional toll is significant, with 31% saying acne makes them feel anxious and 12% reporting increased irritability.

Social media appears to be worsening these struggles, with 54% of respondents saying it makes them feel more self-conscious about their skin.

Recent reports have highlighted a concerning rise in school absenteeism across the UK, with Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, describing it as an “epidemic”.

This new data suggests that acne is another key factor holding young people back from the classroom.

Holly Mason, founder of The Skin Investment Clinic, commented: “We see how acne can impact young people’s confidence and self-worth. These results reinforce just how much it can hold them back, affecting everything from social lives to education. Our mission is to provide expert-led solutions that empower young people to take control of their skin and their mental wellbeing.”

5.2 million men in the UK are looking to have dermal fillers

Fillers have typically always been targeted more towards women, but a new report from the injectable brand Teoxane reveals that approximately 5.2 million men in the UK are looking to have dermal filler treatment, with 1 in 5 stating they are likely to have treatment in the future.

The report also shows a clear shift in perception, with 35% having a more positive view on dermal fillers.

Only 8% of men feel that dermal fillers are for women, and only 5% are worried about what others might think of them for having had a dermal filler treatment.

Other key findings from the report:

• 70% more men have sought out aesthetic treatments since 2021

• 26-34 are the leading age group having dermal filler treatments

• 1-in-10 men are converting into patients in 2025

• 37% of men want filler treatment to look healthier, 30% to look good for their age and 30% to look more “attractive”

• The most requested male filler treatments are: jawline, chin, lips and undereye

• Men’s top concerns about fillers are: will people notice? will they look ‘done?’

• 27% of men would have/or have had filler to look better in photos and for social media

• 35-44 year old males are driving the under-eye brightening indication.

New research reveals which job titles get the most botulinum toxin-170 words

New research from The Harley Street Clinic has revealed which job titles are most likely to get botulinum toxin in their clinic.

With an estimated 900,000 botulinum toxin/anti-wrinkle injections taking place each year, they are one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatments available.

Harley Street Clinic’s research, based on internal booking data, revealed that patients from the business and management sector made the most bookings.

The second most likely occupation was arts, media, and entertainment, and the third most likely occupation was healthcare and social service professionals.

Botulinum toxin can reduce the appearance of stress and fatigue, and helps maintain a youthful appearance, which explains its popularity amongst appearance-focused and high pressure occupations.

The research also displayed that 80% of botulinum toxin bookings were made by women, and bookings from millennials ages 35 to 39 were the most common.

Botulinum toxin is also popular for alternative uses. The most popular searches from 2021-2025 pertaining to botulinum toxin consisted of jaw slimming, scrotal, ‘Barbie Botox’, and excessive sweating.

British tourist, 38, dies after undergoing a hair transplant in Turkey

A 38 year old British National has died, after traveling to Turkey for a hair transplant.

Greg Williams, British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) member and Vice President of the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery said, “This tragic incident highlights that hair transplant surgery is not without risks and patients should research carefully. The BAHRS advises what to look out for when choosing a hair transplant clinic as well as factors to consider when travelling abroad.”

President of BAAPS Nora Nugent said, “It is heartbreaking to hear of another tragic death linked to cosmetic tourism. BAAPS has worked with the Turkish Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (TSPRAS) to produce joint guidance for patients considering surgery in Turkey, and we have also developed guidelines for our members.”

Respected aesthetic nurse practitioner Tanya Khan joins Laboratoires Fillmed UK as lead clinical trainer for Northern Ireland

Leading medical aesthetics company Laboratoires Fillmed UK has announced the appointment of a new team member, aesthetic nurse practitioner Tanya Khan.

Laboratoires Fillmed is at the forefront of aesthetic industry innovation, and they are dedicated to enhancing safety through medical education.

The highly respected and experienced Tanya Khan has been welcomed to the company as clinical trainer for Northern Ireland.

Tanya brings with her more than 16 years of clinical experience in aesthetic medicine, specialising in theatre nursing and ophthalmology surgery. Tanya is a UK-accredited Level 7 Qualified Injector and recognised for her advanced technical skill, holistic patient care, and natural aesthetic outcomes.

New study demonstrates efficacy in fat reduction with ultrasound and radiofrequency

A new study in Nature Scientific Reports presents clinical evidence on the efficacy and safety of non-invasive energy-based technology for reducing abdominal fat. The study demonstrated statistically significant decreases in abdominal fat layer thickness in nine Korean women with abdominal obesity, following a series of ultrasound and radiofrequency treatments using Alma’s Accent Prime platform.

Conducted by Dr Yeo Ju Sohn and Dr Hyejin Chun, the research confirmed measurable fat layer reduction through ultrasound imaging and waist circumference assessments, with patients reporting high satisfaction and consistently strong tolerance throughout the treatment with no adverse events observed.

The average reduction in maximum waist circumference was − 3.91 cm, with reductions varying from 1.00 cm to -7.70 cm.

Cosmetic Physician Partners, launches network of physician-led medical aesthetics clinics across Europe

Cosmetic Physician Partners Europe Ltd (CPPE) has announced its official launch across Europe.

CPPE is an alternative to private equity, offering clinic owners exceptional financial upside, superior operational support, and access to sector expertise from the Canadian and US markets.

CPPE delivers high-quality, cost-efficient centralised services, including HR, IT, Marketing, and Data Analytics, along with significant procurement savings through group scale.

Each clinic partner retains full operational control, enabling them to focus on delivering outstanding patient care while benefiting from a wider medical aesthetics network. The first 11 clinics have joined the CPPE, with eight clinics joining in the UK and two in Ireland.