We’ve been writing about botched aesthetics treatments for years, following headlines about how countless unknowing people faced serious complications - and even death - at the hands of untrained cowboys with needles. Thankfully, the Government has started to take notice over the last few years, and on 21st October 2026, they announced plans to restrict who can perform high-risk cosmetic procedures in England.
So, what does the announcement reveal? We’ve read through it to give you a breakdown of what’s changing, and who it affects.
Key facts
Fillers injected anywhere other than the face, including liquid BBLs, would count as cosmetic surgery and be restricted to doctors.
A list of other high-risk procedures would be restricted to doctors, dentists and independent prescribing nurses, midwives and pharmacists.
Clinics offering any of these would need to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Anti-wrinkle injections and lip fillers aren't part of these proposals. They sit under a separate licensing scheme the Government still plans to bring in.
The consultation closes on 13 January 2027. Parliament is due to debate the final rules in spring 2027.
Treatments and who can perform them: a quick breakdown
Body fillers anywhere other than the face, including liquid BBLs - doctors only, as it would be classed as cosmetic surgery
Other high-risk procedures, such as deep chemical peels, vampire facials, dermal micro-coring and specified laser and IPL treatments - doctors, dentists, and nurses, midwives and pharmacists who are independent prescribers
Anti-wrinkle injections, lip fillers and other lower-risk treatments - not covered by these proposals. A separate licensing scheme is planned
It’s important to note that these are proposals, not law, and nothing changes today.
Which aesthetic treatments would be restricted?
After the death of Gloucestershire mum, Alice Webb, in 2024, and Sasha Dean being left in a coma the very same year following BBL procedures, it’s no surprise that the clearest change is for body fillers.
Filler injected anywhere other than the face, including a liquid BBL, would be classed as cosmetic surgery and restricted to doctors. That applies even if the treatment is marketed as non-surgical. The Government isn't proposing to limit it to plastic surgeons on a specialist register, just to doctors.
The draft regulations also name these treatments as high-risk:
Deep chemical peels
Vampire facials
Dermal micro-coring
Intravenous procedures for cosmetic or wellbeing purposes
Specified high-risk laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments
Non-resorbable facial fillers
Subcision
Blood procedures, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
Procedures that involve giving an anaesthetic by separate injection
The exact wording matters, too. The laser and IPL category covers specified treatments, not every laser treatment in aesthetics. A deep chemical peel is defined by how far the chemical gets into the skin. So a treatment in the same broad family as one on this list isn't automatically covered. The definitions in the draft regulations decide that.
Who would be allowed to perform high-risk treatments?
Under the proposals, the other high-risk procedures in the list (not including body fillers) could be performed by doctors, dentists, and nurses, midwives and pharmacists who are independent prescribers.
For nurses, midwives and pharmacists, that means having completed an accredited prescribing course, so they're legally allowed to prescribe. An aesthetics qualification on its own isn't the same thing.
What would change for clinic owners?
The proposals put responsibilities on the clinic, not just the person treating. Any provider offering a covered procedure would need to register with the CQC. Having a practitioner with the right qualifications wouldn't be enough on its own.
The proposed penalties are significant, as well. A provider offering covered procedures without CQC registration could face an unlimited fine, up to 12 months in prison, or both. A provider or registered manager who lets someone unauthorised carry out a covered procedure could face an unlimited fine. As an alternative to prosecution for that offence, there's a proposed fixed penalty of £4,000 for providers and £2,000 for registered managers.
There would be a transition period to apply for CQC registration. The Government says it will confirm the details once the regulations have been through Parliament.
Are anti-wrinkle injections and lip fillers affected?
No. These proposals don't cover them, and there's no blanket ban on non-medics performing them. The Government says it's still committed to a separate licensing scheme for anti-wrinkle injections, lip fillers and other lower-risk treatments. That's a different process from the one in this consultation.
You'll see a lot of posts mixing up current law, these proposals and the future licensing scheme. If you're not sure which applies to a treatment you offer, check with your professional body or insurer rather than social media.
What changes for under-18s?
The procedures covered by the proposals would be restricted to people aged 18 and over. There are exceptions for NHS treatment and for a healthcare professional treating a medical condition.
This would sit alongside the law that already exists. The Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act 2021 already makes it an offence to give, or arrange, cosmetic botulinum toxin or filler injections to under-18s in England.
When would the changes come in?
Not yet. Parliament is due to debate the final regulations in spring 2027, and there would be a transition period after that.
Here are some key dates to be aware of:
21 October 2026 - Government announces the proposals and opens the consultation
11:59pm, 13 January 2027 - Consultation closes
Spring 2027 - Parliament due to debate the final regulations
After that - Transition period to apply for CQC registration (details to be confirmed)
The Government wants to hear from practitioners about which procedures should be covered, who should be allowed to perform them and how the changes would affect your business.
If you want a say in how this lands, respond to the consultation before it closes. It's the one thing worth doing now.
In the meantime, it's a good moment to look at your treatment menu against the list above. If something you offer looks like it could be covered, speak to your insurer or professional body about what it means for you.
Quick answers
Is this law yet?
No. These are draft regulations out for consultation. Nothing changes until Parliament has approved the final version.
Does this apply outside England?
No. The proposals cover England only.
Can non-medics still do anti-wrinkle injections and lip fillers?
These proposals don't change that. A separate licensing scheme will set standards for those treatments, but it isn't in place yet.
What are the proposed penalties?
Unlimited fines and fixed penalties of up to £4,000. Providers offering covered procedures without CQC registration could also face up to 12 months in prison.
How do I respond to the consultation?
Through the Government's consultation page before 11:59pm on 13 January 2027.
The future of aesthetics in England?
Frankly, we’ve seen enough horror stories to last us a lifetime. So, while it’s great to see the government responding, we’re waiting, tentatively, to see what comes next. Let’s hope it turns from proposal to law soon and that fewer people have to go through the pain of botched aesthetic treatments.
Running or growing a clinic?
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Read the Government’s press release in full: Department of Health and Social Care press release, 21 October 2026: Cosmetic cowboys crackdown continues with new restrictions