New proposals would limit high-risk aesthetic procedures to qualified healthcare professionals, restrict treatments for minors, and introduce penalties for unqualified providers.
The UK government has proposed new restrictions on who can perform high-risk cosmetic procedures in England, including limiting liquid Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs) and other body filler injections to doctors as part of an effort to strengthen patient safety.
Announced Oct 21 by the Department of Health and Social Care, the proposals would establish stricter qualifications for practitioners performing certain surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic treatments, prohibit high-risk procedures for people younger than 18, and introduce criminal penalties for providers who violate the rules.
The announcement builds on plans outlined by the government in August 2025 to strengthen oversight of the cosmetic procedures industry following reports of serious injuries and deaths associated with treatments performed by unqualified practitioners.
Proposed Restrictions on High-Risk Cosmetic Procedures
Under the proposed regulations, injecting fillers into areas of the body other than the face, including procedures such as liquid BBLs, would be legally classified as cosmetic surgery. These procedures would be restricted to doctors.
Other high-risk nonsurgical and aesthetic treatments would be limited to specified qualified healthcare professionals. These include:
- Deep chemical peels
- Vampire facials
- Dermal micro-coring
- Certain laser procedures
Eligible practitioners would include doctors and dentists, as well as nurses, midwives, and pharmacists who have completed accredited training that legally authorizes them to prescribe medications.
The government says the restrictions are intended to address gaps in oversight that have allowed individuals without appropriate medical qualifications to perform invasive cosmetic treatments in settings such as hotel rooms.
The proposals would also prohibit high-risk cosmetic and wellness procedures for people younger than 18, with exceptions for treatments provided through the National Health Service or when a healthcare professional is treating a medical condition. Restrictions on cosmetic fillers for minors are already in place under separate legislation.
Penalties and Enforcement
Practitioners who perform restricted procedures without the required qualifications could face criminal prosecution under the proposed regulations. Penalties could include unlimited fines or fixed penalties of up to £4,000. The Care Quality Commission, England’s independent regulator of health and social care services, would be responsible for taking enforcement action against providers who fail to comply.
“If you’re planning to undergo a major cosmetic procedure, you deserve to know you’re in safe hands—not risking your life with a rogue operator,” says Health Minister Karin Smyth in a release.
Smyth says the proposed changes are intended to ensure that high-risk procedures are performed by appropriately trained professionals while protecting younger patients from potentially dangerous treatments.
The government also reaffirmed its commitment to developing a separate licensing system for lower-risk cosmetic treatments, including botulinum toxin injections and lip fillers. That system would establish safety standards for clinics offering those services and is not part of the current consultation on high-risk procedures.
Consultation Open Through January 2027
The proposals have drawn support from organizations advocating for stronger oversight of the aesthetics industry.
Ashton Collins, director of Save Face, an organization that campaigns for safer cosmetic treatments, says the proposals address longstanding concerns about unqualified individuals performing invasive procedures.
“For too long, non-healthcare practitioners have exploited a regulatory loophole to carry out high-risk procedures, including liquid BBLs and facelifts, on members of the public,” Collins says in the release.
The government has opened a public consultation seeking feedback from clinicians, regulators, businesses, and other stakeholders on the proposed restrictions, including which procedures and professional groups should be covered.
The consultation closes Jan 13, 2027. The government currently plans to move the proposals through the parliamentary process in spring 2027.
The restrictions are not yet in effect.
