Scottish Government plans to regulate botox and fillers with new legislation

The Scottish Government is cracking down on unregulated injectables in the beauty industry with a new legislation proposal.

Under the new plans, nonhealthcare professionals in the aesthetics industry may soon have to carry a licence in order to perform injectables such as fillers and botulinum toxin.

Public health minister Joe FitzPatrick said Scotland would be the first in the UK to introduce the licensing scheme, and a consultation has been initiated for the public to share their views until the end of April 2020.

“We’re committed to patient safety and want to ensure that all those who carry out non-surgical procedures, such as dermal fillers or lip enhancements, are competent, and that the treatments take place in safe and hygienic premises,” explained FitzPatric

We plan to introduce regulations later this year and invite members of the public and interested parties to give their view as part of the consultation on our proposals.”

The licences would be akin to those required in tattoo parlours, where a licence shows that the practitioner has been adequately trained, having both the experience and skills to perform the treatment. Currently, clinics run by medical professionals who provide non-surgical cosmetic procedures are regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS).

However, there is no regulation on who can practise injectables in locations such as beauty salons, pharmacies, hairdressers and aesthetic clinics. Read more on the beauty industry’s reaction to the proposed regulation on page 29.