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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBotox and lip fillers are no longer a treatment for the rich and famous. Over the years, injectables have become incredibly popular and widespread in the UK. Even people in their teens and 20s are choosing to pre-empt their wrinkles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A permanently youthful look at little cost has been made achievable by modern cosmetology, and plenty are taking the opportunity. For many, popping in for an injectable is as normal as nipping to the hairdresser or nail bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Botox and dermal fillers are the most popular non-surgical treatments in the UK, accounting for nine out of ten cosmetic procedures<\/a>. And considering they mostly involve injecting substances into the face and neck area, you\u2019d assume there\u2019d be some sort of licence needed to give them. But in fact, there isn\u2019t. Not yet anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 69% of all complaints received by the government-approved aesthetics registration board Save Face<\/a> in 2022 were about botched dermal fillers. Botox injections followed closely behind. So, it\u2019s hardly surprising the government are looking to make a change\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2022, an amendment was made to the Health and Care Bill<\/a>. It allows the health secretary to introduce a licensing scheme for practitioners who carry out non-surgical procedures in England. The Scottish government has plans to do the same, and seems to be a little further along than their English counterparts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, a Botox licensing scheme is<\/strong> on its way. There\u2019s no timeline in place just yet, but it\u2019s a good idea to keep checking in, so you have time to prepare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By introducing a licence to give Botox injections, the government and aesthetics industry together hope to raise standards where needed, protect the public, and create a more professional structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The scheme will mean that all practitioners offering Botox, dermal fillers, and other non-surgical procedures that penetrate the skin beyond the dermis, will need a licence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The UK Parliament\u2019s Health and Social Care Committee released a report<\/a> in 2022 and made several suggestions that are likely to form some of the rules for the new scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Scottish government also launched a public consultation in December 2024<\/a> and made their own suggestions for proposed regulation. Many of these are similar to England\u2019s, but there are some differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nothing\u2019s set in stone yet, so we don\u2019t know exactly what the criteria in the rest of the UK will be for obtaining a licence. But, at the very least, you\u2019re likely to have to prove you have the following things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Parliamentary report also suggested a two-part consent process for patients, giving them a 48-hour cooling-off period between consultation and treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scotland\u2019s suggestions include a potential three-tier system, which would categorise procedures into different groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on what you offer, you\u2019d be required to have a license for both yourself and your clinic. It would also restrict the procedures you could do at your clinic, with some requiring them to be undertaken at a Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS)<\/a>-regulated premises ie a hospital or other healthcare facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s well worth reading what Scotland are proposing for non-surgical procedures<\/a>. If your business is based there, it could have a big impact on you as early as 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If they do end up bringing these rules into force, it could also be a sign of things to come for elsewhere in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n In February 2023, the government rejected all calls from MPs asking for an immediate introduction of the licensing scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The government insisted they were still committed to introducing the licence. But said that they wouldn\u2019t be able to bring it in as quickly as was being called for, because of the amount of work involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a detailed response<\/a> to the Health and Social Care Committee\u2019s report, the government said they\u2019d have a plan together for the licensing scheme by July 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, as of April 2025, there\u2019s been no further progress from the government. This is probably due to the new Labour government wanting to review their position on non-surgical cosmetic procedures before moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n You might not need a licence to give Botox or dermal filler injections yet, but that doesn\u2019t mean there aren\u2019t any<\/em> regulations<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Botox is a prescription drug. So, it must<\/strong> be prescribed by a medical professional. If you\u2019re a non-medic administering Botox, under General Medical Council (GMC)<\/a>, Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)<\/a>, and General Dental Council (GDC)<\/a> rules, you\u2019ll need to have a doctor, dentist, pharmaceutical prescriber, or nurse prescriber present at every pre-treatment consultation with your clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although the medical professional prescribing it doesn\u2019t have to give the injection themselves, they do hold a certain amount of responsibility. It\u2019s down to them to decide whether the person administering it is qualified and experienced enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike Botox, dermal fillers are a non-prescribed drug. So, there are fewer regulations. Currently, anyone can legally perform them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s illegal to inject anyone under the age of 18 with Botox, or fillers of any kind. Remember too, that there are strict rules<\/a> about advertising Botox injections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Botox is pretty powerful stuff and adding it to your roster of treatments is a decision that shouldn\u2019t be taken lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So really, whether you need a licence to give Botox injections shouldn\u2019t be the question you ask. What you really need to think about is \u2013 how can I offer Botox injections and lip fillers to clients safely?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most important thing is that you put the physical and mental wellbeing of your clients first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Would does that mean, exactly?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are a few tips on how to follow good practice and ensure your clients\u2019 safety, as well as your own:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are plenty more detailed guidelines for administering Botox and dermal fillers in this Cosmetic Standards report<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting medical malpractice insurance<\/a> is an absolute must if you\u2019re injecting Botox or dermal fillers. Because even the most qualified practitioners can find themselves under scrutiny. Besides which, it seems likely that once the licensing scheme is finally up and running, professional insurance will be a requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Things can go wrong. And when they do, clients can be left physically and mentally scarred. From allergic reactions to muscle weakness, although rare, side effects from Botox injections and fillers can be serious. So, getting the right level of insurance<\/a> is the responsible thing to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more about Botox and dermal fillers insurance<\/a>, or call 0345 222 5391 <\/strong>to speak to a friendly adviser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Image used under licence from Shutterstock.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Botox and lip fillers are no longer a treatment for the rich and famous. Over the years, injectables have become incredibly popular and widespread in the UK. Even people in their teens and 20s are choosing to pre-empt their wrinkles. … Continue reading Giving the law a facelift<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What will I need to get a licence for Botox injections?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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When will the licence to give Botox be introduced?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
More to the point\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to be a smooth operator<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Don\u2019t raise any eyebrows<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n