Scottish Government consultation response to regulation and licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures

The Scottish Government has published its response to the consultation on the regulation and licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, following over 2,200 responses from individuals and organisations. Here’s a concise summary of the key points:

Key Proposals and Changes

• Three-Tier Classification: Procedures are now grouped based on risk rather than type:

  • Group 1: Lower-risk treatments (e.g. microneedling, non-ablative lasers) will require both a premises and practitioner licence issued by local authorities.
  • Group 2: Medium-risk procedures (e.g. Botox, dermal fillers) must be carried out in Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS)-regulated settings, but may be performed by non-healthcare professionals under supervision.
  • Group 3: Higher-risk procedures (e.g. breast and buttock augmentation) must be performed by qualified healthcare professionals in HIS-regulated settings.

• Minimum Age Requirement: All non-surgical cosmetic procedures will be restricted to individuals aged 18 and over.

• Licensing and Enforcement: A dual licensing system will be introduced for premises and practitioners, with enforcement powers shared between local authorities and HIS.

• Legislation: A new Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures Bill will be introduced to the Scottish Parliament to implement these changes.

Public and Stakeholder Feedback

• There was broad support for increased regulation and public safety.
• Views were divided on Group 2 procedures, with some calling for stricter controls and others supporting access for trained non-healthcare professionals.
• Strong backing was noted for hygiene standards, insurance requirements, and enforcement mechanisms.

You can read the full Scottish Government response and updated proposals on their official consultation page.