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Scottish Government announces a Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures Bill
The Scottish Government has announced plans to introduce the Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures Bill, aiming to strengthen regulation across the aesthetics industry.
As it stands, the Bill proposes that certain defined non-surgical procedures will only be permitted to be carried out in a registered healthcare setting.
The Bill also prohibits any individuals under the age of 18 from having any non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
The following procedures will be regulated: ablative laser treatments, cellulite subcision, chemical peels, dermal microcoring, injectable procedures, intravenous procedures, microneedling, and thread lifts.
The Bill also makes it a crime to provide a non-surgical procedure in non-permitted premises.
The Bill defines the permitted premises as the following: an independent hospital that is registered with Health Improvement Scotland (HIS); an independent clinic registered with HIS – where the services are provided by a registered medical or dental practitioner, a registered nurse or midwife who is an independent prescriber or a pharmacist independent prescriber; or GP and dental practices which provide NHS services and registered pharmacies, which are exempt from the requirement to register with HIS.
HIS will have the powers to enter and search premises where there is a suspicion that these procedures are being carried out in breach of these offences.
The Scottish Government is encouraging responses from relevant individuals, who can submit their responses until November 14, 2025 and has stated that the Bill will be progressed during the current session of the Scottish Parliament, which is scheduled to conclude in May 2026.
Landmark VAT ruling could reshape how aesthetic treatments are classified
A recent Upper Tribunal judgment is expected to reshape how VAT is applied to aesthetic and cosmetic treatments performed by medically registered practitioners in the UK.
The case, involving Illuminate Skin Clinics founded by Dr Sophie Shotter, challenged an earlier HMRC decision on whether certain non-surgical aesthetic procedures could be treated as VAT-exempt medical care.
While the Tribunal did not rule in Illuminate’s favour, it overturned the original First-Tier Tribunal decision and ordered the case to be reconsidered, issuing detailed guidance likely to influence future VAT assessments.
Central to the ruling is a treatment’s principal purpose – whether it is primarily therapeutic or cosmetic. Procedures addressing a diagnosed medical or psychological condition may qualify as medical care and be VAT-exempt, but those for aesthetic enhancement alone will not.
The Tribunal emphasised the need for clear, evidence-based diagnosis, credible clinical justification for psychological claims, and that exemptions apply only when practitioners act within their medical registration.
It further confirmed that VAT decisions require a multi-factorial analysis, considering all clinical and contextual factors. The case now returns to the First-Tier Tribunal, with the JCCP noting that the outcome could set a major precedent for the aesthetics industry.
NEWS IN BRIEF
The Editor’s List Live returns for 2026
The Editor’s List Live returns on Sunday January 18, 2026, for an ultimate immersive day in beauty and aesthetics.
Head to Ladbroke Hall, Notting Hill, to meet leading doctors, dermatologists and wellness experts for bespoke one-to-one advice, mini treatments, and live demos.
Book now at editorslist.co.uk
Teoxane appoints Joanna Underhill as general manager for the UK and Ireland
Teoxane has appointed Joanna Underhill as general manager for the UK and Ireland. Underhill brings extensive industry expertise. Her appointment marks a new chapter as Sandra Fishlock steps down after 15 years with the company.
The British College of Aesthetic Medicine welcomes new trustees
BCAM has appointed Dr Matin Ahmadi and Dr Rebecca Norman to its Board of Trustees. Both bring extensive experience, a passion for patient safety, and a commitment to clinical excellence. Their appointments will help shape the future of aesthetic medicine and strengthen BCAM’s role as the leading voice of the profession.
Zenoti launch AI Receptionis
Zenoti has launched AI Receptionist, a new always-on, AI-powered call answering and customer engagement function designed to reduce missed calls, optimise revenue opportunities and enable clinics to deliver a more personalised, efficient service.
Sector responds to BBC investigation into the “Botox Black Market”
The BBC has released a scathing exposé into Britain’s “Botox Wild West”, uncovering a world where profit trumps patient safety.
The documentary follows a spike in UK botulism cases and features experts including nurse prescriber Cheryl Barton, who warned, “People have died from Botox. It is that serious of a drug.”
Undercover BBC journalists caught rogue professionals breaking rules for financial gain. One nurse sold prescriptions via WhatsApp; a pharmacist advised falsifying records; and a fake doctor bragged about illegal “Botox parties”, injecting thousands with unlicensed Korean toxin and selling drugs from his car boot.
The British Association of Medical Aesthetic Nurses (BAMAN) condemned nurse prescriber Sally Jackson, filmed offering to sell botulinum toxin prescriptions without patient consultations, calling the behaviour “unethical, unsafe, and in breach of NMC standards”.
BCAM’s “Vet It Before You Get It” campaign urges patients to ask vital safety questions before booking a consultation.
The British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) has launched its “Vet It Before You Get It” campaign to help patients stay safe when seeking aesthetic treatments.
The initiative encourages people to send clinics a short questionnaire before booking consultations, allowing them to ask difficult questions and confirm practitioner credentials in advance.
BCAM president Dr Sophie Shotter stresses the need for stronger UK regulations to prevent complications from unqualified practitioners performing aesthetic procedures.
Until tighter rules are in place, she urges the public to take precautions by ensuring treatments are carried out only by qualified doctors, dentists, or nurse prescribers.
The campaign aims to boost patient confidence, promote transparency, and help individuals choose ethical, medically trained professionals before committing to any aesthetic procedure.
Family outraged as ‘Lip King’ sells illegal weight loss injections after fatal non-surgical BBL
Following the death of mother-of-five Alice Webb after a liquid Brazilian butt lift (BBL), her family has expressed outrage that beauty therapist Jordan James Parke, arrested on suspicion of her manslaughter, is still selling weight-loss jabs online while on bail.
Webb died on September 24, 2024 at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital after complications from a non-surgical BBL at Studio 23 clinic in Gloucester.
The treatment, which uses hyaluronic acid fillers, is marketed as a safer alternative to surgery but remains largely unregulated.
Parke, operating as “The Lip King Aesthetics”, continues to promote £200 weight-loss injections and teeth-whitening kits.
Webb’s family has called for “Alice’s Law”, a campaign with Save Face to ban liquid BBLs from beauty salons.
The UK Government has pledged tighter regulation, restricting such procedures to qualified healthcare professionals.
ASA announces updated enforcement notice issued on weight-loss prescription medicine ads
The ASA has issued an updated enforcement notice banning ads for prescription-only medicines (POMs) used for weight management across all media, including social platforms.
The notice prohibits the use of POM names, images, or descriptors and warns against linking non-POM ads to POM promotions.
Professionals may promote weight loss consultations only if POMs are not mentioned. The CAP Compliance team will use AI-assisted monitoring to detect breaches, which may lead to content removal, account sanctions or referral to regulators.
The MHRA and GPhC can take enforcement action against those failing to meet advertising or professional standards.
Research reveals sleep and stress are top factors affecting Brits’ skin quality
A new Teoxane report on skin quality found that among 2,157 UK women aged 18-75, 47%
regularly suffer from stress and 43% don’t get enough sleep – key factors affecting skin health. Lack of exercise is also common, with 43% not staying active.
Other key findings from the report:
• Over half of the UK say that their skincare routine helps them to relax (54%)
• Using skincare products or treatments makes women in the UK feel more confident (65%)
• 73% of the UK choose skincare products or treatments for long-term skin benefits, whereas 55% choose skincare or treatments for immediate results
• 74% of the UK stick to products they know work, but men are more likely than women to try new ones
• 55% of the UK say that the ingredients are more important than the brand
• Over a third of the UK (41%) are using skincare containing hyaluronic acid
Urban life triples inflammation in sensitive skin, new study reveals
New research from Galderma reveals that urban living triggers nearly three times more inflammation in sensitive skin, underscoring the impact of modern lifestyles on skin health. The clinical study of 150 Chinese women found that those with sensitive skin in cities showed almost triple the levels of prostaglandin E2 (a key inflammatory marker) compared to those in rural areas.
Urban participants also exhibited 16% higher oxidative stress and increased stress-induced sebum production.
Sensitive skin was linked to more visible pores, uneven tone and dark spots. With up to 70% of people worldwide affected- and cases rising 68% in two decades – findings highlight pollution, stress and poor sleep as key aggravators.
Experts urge beauty professionals to view sensitive skin as a distinct biological condition and to focus treatments on barrier repair, inflammation, oxidative stress and photoageing prevention.
NEWS IN BRIEF
BCAM announce new ambassadors
The new BCAM ambassadors are medical lawyer Chrissie Wolf and independent nurse prescriber Julie Scott. BCAM’s ambassadors work to champion BCAM’s mission to promote safe, ethical aesthetic medicine, elevating standards, empowering clinicians, and protecting patients every step of the way.
Dr Hennessy to lead new Manchester aesthetics clinic
Dr Stephen Hennessy is bringing 25 years of experience to MyAesthetics Clinic as medical director. He is recognised across the UK for his precision techniques, advanced injectables expertise and commitment to natural results.
The Cadogan Clinic launches specialist general practice weight management service
Among increasing demand for medical weight loss and body contouring, The Cadogan Clinic has launched its new GP-led programme offering patients clinically supervised, sustainable routes to weight loss. The launch comes in response to a 300% increase in post-weight-loss surgical cases at the clinic over the past 12 months.
Claudia McGloin makes history as the first nurse invited to speak at Bahrain Dermatology, Laser & Aesthetics
Representing Ireland on the international stage, Claudia McGloin delivered her presentation, “Advancing Innovative PRP Applications in Regenerative Medicine: From Emerging Research to Clinical Impact”. Her talk highlighted the bridge between cutting-edge research and practical clinical outcomes.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Mention Me’s newly appointed chief executive unveils AI-driven influencer solution
The acquisition platform for beauty and fashion brands has appointed Wojtek Kokoszka as chief executive officer, tasked with leveraging Mention Me’s AI capabilities with the launch of Mention Me Influencer.
Fillmed Laboratoires UK announces new regional sales manager
Becky Hayward has been welcomed to the company as regional manager for East Anglia & the North bringing with her over 15 years of experience spanning both clinical and commercial roles.
Signature Clinic expands with new Liverpool clinic
Following the success of operating as a satellite hub from Manchester since 2024, Signature Clinic is proud to announce the official opening of its brand-new, purpose-designed clinic in the heart of Liverpool. Offering patient-centred care in a relaxing environment for cosmetic surgery.
BTL files patent infringement lawsuit against WonderFace device
BTL Group announced that it has initiated an international patent infringement action against Lexter Microelectronic Engineering Systems S.L., the manufacturer of the WonderFace device. “We will defend our intellectual property. This lawsuit marks the beginning of our broader effort to take legal action against any third party that we believe infringes upon our innovations,” said Tomas Schwarz, chief executive of the BTL Enterprise Group.
BAMAN brings Spring Symposium to Aesthetic Medicine London ‘26
BAMAN Spring Symposium will take place as part of Aesthetic Medicine London on May 8-9, 2026 at Olympia London.
The BAMAN Spring Symposium will feature a full clinical agenda along with advanced live demonstrations where leading practitioners will share the latest advancements and insights within the medical aesthetics field.
Mark Moloney, managing director of Aesthetic Medicine, said, “This collaboration highlights our shared commitment to advancing standards in aesthetic practice and providing a platform for medical aesthetic nurses through world-class education and networking.”
Meno-fessions: survey shines light on relatable menopause symptoms
Marking Menopause Awareness Month with humour, a new survey from Hervitality captures the relatable side of menopause and the growing openness surrounding it. The survey found: among 1,000 menopausal women surveyed, 66% reported hot flushes in public, 62% lost their train of thought, and 46% forgot names due to “brain fog.”
Emotional outbursts affected 42%, often leading to funny or embarrassing moments. It also found that women are becoming more comfortable discussing their symptoms with 61% saying they would speak about them openly.
The campaign’s “Meno-Fessions” invite women to share these experiences- from cracking eggs into the bin to asking for “copulation” instead of “cooperation”.
Dr Megha Dhavale notes that behind every statistic are real women with real stories, and finding humour helps break stigma and foster connection.
Growing social pressures to lose weight amid rising weight-loss injection costs, research reveals
A new GP Nutrition survey of 2,004 UK adults found that 43% feel more pressure to lose weight than two years ago, with 31% citing changing body trends as a major influence. Fashion and beauty standards (23%), social media (20%), and celebrities (18%) were also key contributors to negative body image.
The rise in weight loss injections reflects this growing pressure as one in five respondents have tried or considered them for rapid results. While 20% used them under medical advice, 41% sourced injections online without prescriptions, and 35% obtained them through friends or family.
Experts stress that such medications must be prescribed and monitored by professionals.