Call for stronger safeguards in cosmetic treatments law

Stronger safeguards are needed in new legislation for non-surgical procedures like fillers and Botox, Scotland's statutory consumer body has said.

Consumer Scotland has called for improvements to a Scottish government bill that aims to tighten regulation around cosmetic treatments.

Healthcare professionals have warned that Scotland is the worst country in Europe for unqualified beauticians injecting customers with cosmetic treatments.

If passed into law, it would be illegal to provide non-surgical treatments to anyone under 18 and require procedures to be carried out in approved premises.

Consumer Scotland supports the bill but wants stronger protections included.

It suggests requiring providers to share details like risks, expected results, qualifications and aftercare instructions.

Success rates should also be published and providers must have proper registration, insurance and clear links to complaint bodies.

Consumer Scotland director of policy and advocacy, Douglas White, said: "Consumers should be able to trust that any cosmetic procedure they undergo is carried out safely, in an appropriate environment, and by someone with the right qualifications.

"The bill is an important and welcome development, but there are clear opportunities to strengthen it."

Consumer Scotland said there should also be easy ways for consumers to seek compensation if something goes wrong.

Thousands of people get dermal filler and Botox treatments in Scotland each year.

Filler is usually injected into the face which helps to fill wrinkles and add volume to tissue, while Botox injections are anti-wrinkle treatments used to relax the muscles.

Botox is classed as a prescription-only medicine in the UK, meaning it can only be prescribed and given to a patient by a qualified medical professional.

However, doctors and nurses say beauticians are finding unlicensed Botox online and injecting patients in high street salons and in their homes.

The British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN) said most other countries already have regulations that only allow trained health professionals to carry out procedures.

In 2021 it became illegal in England for a person under 18 to have fillers or Botox.

Scotland's bill covers all beauty and wellbeing treatments that pierce or penetrate the skin. This includes Botox, filler as well as chemical peels.

It is currently at stage two of the legislation process and is being scrutinised by the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee.

The Scottish government said it was focussed on developing legislation to ensure all procedures are delivered from "hygienic premises by appropriately trained practitioners, applying recognised standards and using regulated products".