The main legislation driving this change is the Health and Care Act 2022, which includes provisions to:¹

·     - introduce nationally recognised requirements and standards covering the education, training and qualifications needed to provide aesthetic treatments;

·     - make sure premises providing non-surgical cosmetic interventions meet hygiene standards;

·     - ensure that individuals carrying out procedures have appropriate indemnity and insurance.

Under section 180 of the Act, ministers can introduce regulations to:⁵

·     - prohibit individuals from carrying out specified cosmetic procedures, unless they have been licensed to do so; and

·     - require premises to be licensed to carry out specified cosmetic procedures.

Section 180 also defines a cosmetic procedure as:⁵

“a procedure, other than a surgical or dental procedure, that is or may be carried out for cosmetic purposes; and the reference to a procedure includes:

a) the injection of a substance;

b) the application of a substance that is capable of penetrating into or through the epidermis;

c) the insertion of needles into the skin;

d) the placing of threads under the skin;

e) the application of light, electricity, cold or heat.

The DHSC public consultation has focused on how to implement the changes in relation to section 180, publishing its response in August 2025.¹