Who May Perform Risky Treatments?

Who should be allowed to perform the riskiest cosmetic procedures in England? The government proposes restricting them to regulated healthcare professionals and requiring providers to register with the Care Quality Commission. The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 13 January 2027.

Important: the new restrictions are not in force. This is a consultation proposal, not current law. After reviewing responses, the government would need to finalise the regulations, take them through Parliament and provide a transition period.

ADV · A001ONLYWAY JEWELRY — gold, silver and platinumRings, chains, bracelets, earrings and pendants. Delivery across the UK.Advertise here

Which procedures are covered?

The proposed list includes cosmetic surgery, deep chemical peels, subcision, dermal microcoring, intravenous cosmetic or wellbeing treatments, specified high-risk laser treatments, non-resorbable facial fillers and injections made from a patient’s own blood, including platelet-rich plasma.

It would also cover procedures involving a separate injection of anaesthetic and body filler injections outside the face, including liquid Brazilian butt lifts.

Who would be allowed to perform them?

Cosmetic surgery would be limited to doctors. The other listed procedures could be performed by doctors and dentists, plus nurses, midwives and pharmacists who are qualified independent prescribers.

The government points to the risk of serious complications. A practitioner may need to prescribe and administer an emergency prescription medicine immediately, such as adrenaline for anaphylaxis or hyaluronidase to dissolve filler after a vascular blockage.

The service provider would also have to register with the Care Quality Commission. A minimum age of 18 is proposed for most listed procedures, with exceptions for NHS treatment and other specified medical circumstances.

What penalties are proposed?

A provider carrying on a regulated activity without registration could face an unlimited fine, up to 12 months in prison, or both. A registered provider that allows someone without the required professional status to perform a restricted procedure could face an unlimited fine.

What should a client check now?

1. Book a consultation with the person who will actually perform the procedure.
2. Ask about qualifications, experience, insurance, complications, aftercare and the full price.
3. For surgery, check the clinic on the Care Quality Commission register and check the doctor on the relevant professional register.
4. For injections, ask for the product name and source, who prescribes it and who will provide emergency care if something goes wrong.
5. Do not pay before a proper consultation. Avoid treatment parties, procedures in hotels or private homes, and offers demanding an immediate decision.

The NHS notes that non-surgical cosmetic treatments are not all regulated in the same way under current rules. A clinic address or social-media profile alone is not proof of competence.

What should a salon or clinic do?

List every procedure you offer and identify any service in the consultation. Check each worker’s professional registration, independent prescribing status, insurance and emergency plan. Consider whether provider registration would be required and how long the paperwork could take.

Businesses, practitioners and clients can respond through the official consultation. A response counts only after the Submit button is used. Personal information should not be entered in free-text answers.

Coverage: the proposal applies to England only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have separate regulatory systems.

Deadline: 11:59pm on 13 January 2027. The document was published and updated on 23 October 2026.