Setting the standard

Microneedling may be one of the industry's most popular treatments, but inconsistent regulation and evolving compliance requirements present challenges for practitioners. To help businesses navigate an often-complex regulatory landscape, Dermalogica has partnered with the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (Babtac) to create the Sharp Standards Guide, a free best-practice resource available to all UK practitioners, regardless of brand affiliation or membership status. Candice Gardner, education manager – learning and content at Dermalogica UK, explains why the industry needs clearer guidance and how clinics can prepare for the future of microneedling.

Microneedling has become one of the fastest-growing advanced skin treatments in the UK. What is driving demand?

“Consumer awareness has shifted enormously. Clients aren't just asking for microneedling; they're arriving having researched it. The evidence base for collagen induction therapy is strong and getting stronger, and that science is reaching people through social media and mainstream press in a way it simply didn't five years ago.

“For therapists, microneedling sits in a powerful position: it's minimally invasive but delivers measurable, visible results across a wide range of skin concerns. That combination of informed consumer demand and clinical versatility keeps driving growth. Advancements in post-procedure recovery and regenerative technologies mean less downtime and faster results at a relatively affordable price point compared to other rejuvenation procedures, which adds to its popularity. The challenge now is making sure standards keep pace with that popularity.”

What are the biggest compliance challenges practitioners are facing?

“The biggest challenge isn't a lack of rules. It's that the rules are scattered, inconsistent and hard to interpret. Legislation varies across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and even within nations, local authority expectations can differ from one borough to the next.

“National Occupational Standards for microneedling exist, but there's currently no legal requirement to hold a formal qualification, which means many practitioners don't even know those standards are there. For a diligent business trying to do the right thing, pulling all of this together into a coherent, workable framework is genuinely time-consuming and complex.”

Is that what prompted Dermalogica and Babtac to create the Sharp Standards Guide?

“Licensing for non-surgical cosmetic procedures is anticipated across the UK, but the specifics remain unconfirmed and timelines keep shifting. We decided we weren't prepared to wait. Practitioners and clinic owners need clarity now, not when legislation eventually lands.

“Dermalogica and Babtac share the same objective here – to support the profession in raising itself up proactively rather than scrambling to comply reactively. The guide translates fragmented regulatory requirements into practical, implementable guidance. It's the resource we wished already existed.”

What are the biggest misconceptions around microneedling safety?

“The most common one is underestimating microneedling because it's described as ‘minimally invasive’. Minimal doesn't mean risk-free. You're creating controlled wounds in the skin, working with sharps, managing blood-contaminated waste, and handling a procedure that carries real potential for infection, scarring, pigment changes, granulomas and delayed healing if performed incorrectly.”

The guide takes a very broad view of best practice. Why was that important?

“A therapist can have impeccable needling skills and still be non-compliant if their sharps disposal is wrong, their consent forms are inadequate, or their data protection practices don't meet GDPR requirements.

“When licensing arrives, inspectors won't just be watching you treat. They'll be looking at your premises, your documentation, your waste management and your training records. The guide reflects that reality. It covers the whole operational framework because that's what safe, professional, sustainable practice actually requires.”

What are the most common gaps you see when training practitioners?

“Infection control documentation is a big one. Many practitioners are clean and careful in practice but don't have the written protocols, cleaning schedules or COSHH assessments to evidence it.

“Consent processes are another area where there's often a gap between intention and execution. Practitioners explain risks verbally but don't always document that conversation robustly enough.

“And waste segregation still catches people out. The difference between sharps waste, infectious clinical waste and general waste isn't always well understood, and getting it wrong carries serious legal consequences. ”

You also emphasise consultation and expectation management. Why are those steps so critical?

“Because they're where safety begins. A thorough consultation and contraindication screen are your best lines of defence against adverse outcomes. If you miss a medication, an underlying condition, or a client whose expectations don't match what microneedling can realistically deliver, no amount of good technique will compensate.

“Managing expectations is also about protecting the therapeutic relationship and your professional reputation. Clients who understand what to expect, including realistic timelines, potential side effects and aftercare requirements, are clients who trust you and come back.”

How can the industry improve self-regulation while legislation continues to evolve?

“By not using the absence of regulation as an excuse for inaction. The standards and legislation already exist; the problem is that they're fragmented, difficult to access and not necessarily microneedling-specific.

“Practitioners should be engaging with professional bodies, pursuing regulated qualifications, maintaining documented evidence of their competence, and holding themselves to the standard they'd want if they were the client on the bed. The businesses that do this now will be best positioned when licensing arrives.”

What practical steps should clinics take immediately?

“Start with an honest audit of where you are. Review your consent processes, your infection control documentation, your waste management procedures and your training records. Ask yourself: if a licensing authority inspected tomorrow, could I evidence everything I need to?

“The Sharp Standards guide includes a quick action checklist and templates specifically designed to help with this. Beyond documentation, verify your qualifications. If you or your team completed microneedling training through a short course rather than a regulated qualification, consider whether that's sufficient for the level of treatment you're performing. And commit to CPD. 12 to 20 hours a year is the recommended minimum, and it should be structured and documented, not ad hoc.”

For more information and to download the free Sharp Standards: A Good Practice Guide, visit pro.dermalogica.co.uk/about-us/sharp-standards