UK Government Plans Crackdown on Rogue Cosmetic Procedures

The UK government has announced a major crackdown on unregulated cosmetic procedures to tackle the rise of 'Cosmetic Cowboys' who have caused serious harm, including maiming and death. New regulations will require that only qualified healthcare professionals perform high-risk procedures such as non-surgical Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs), with clinics needing licenses to administer fillers and Botox under strict safety, training, and insurance standards. These measures aim to protect consumers, ease pressure on the NHS, and include age restrictions to shield under-18s from dangerous beauty trends influenced by social media. The licensing system will be managed by local authorities, and a public consultation is planned to finalize which procedures will be covered by the new rules. The move was prompted by multiple incidents of botched treatments, including the death of Alice Webb in 2024 due to an unregulated BBL. While the industry has welcomed the initiative, the government acknowledges it may take several years before the regulations are fully implemented.