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Vampire facials involve drawing a patient’s blood and then separating out platelet-rich plasma from it using a centrifuge. The plasma is then injected back into the face through tiny needle punctures
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Dermal micro-coring involves removing tiny sections of skin using thin hollow needles, small enough to allow scarless healing
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Chemical peels are skin resurfacing procedures that use a chemical solution to remove the top layers of skin
Health Minister Karin Smyth said: “We want to drive cosmetic cowboys out of the market and raise standards across the board, giving reputable businesses a fair chance to thrive by helping people identify safe, qualified providers they can trust.”
The British Beauty Council said the government should be congratulated for tackling the issue head-on.
But Mr Keith Allison, from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said the consultation was “long overdue” and, while welcome, the proposals did not go far enough.
“Ministers must ensure they do not create a new loophole in patient protection by regulating non-surgical cosmetic procedures more robustly than cosmetic surgery itself.
“A doctor should not be able to carry out cosmetic surgery simply because they hold a medical license.”
The government will now ask doctors, businesses, regulators, the public and other experts for their say on the draft rules, before plans go through parliament in spring 2027.
A licensing scheme for Botox clinics in England to improve safety standards has already been announced.
In Scotland, laws passed in March mean cosmetic procedures must be performed by, or alongside, certain healthcare professionals in a registered setting. Non-surgical procedures are banned for under 18s.
There are no dedicated regulations around cosmetic procedures in Wales or Northern Ireland.
