UK Launches Wide Crackdown on Unregulated Cosmetic Procedures

The UK government has announced a major crackdown on unregulated and dangerous cosmetic procedures, particularly targeting 'cosmetic cowboys' offering high-risk treatments such as Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs), Botox, and fillers. New legislation will restrict high-risk procedures to 'suitably qualified' healthcare professionals working in Care Quality Commission-regulated providers, while all clinics offering injectables must meet strict safety, training, and insurance standards to be licensed. The reforms come after multiple deaths and severe injuries linked to botched treatments, including the high-profile case of Alice Webb, and aim to protect the public—especially children susceptible to social media trends—by banning under-18s from high-risk treatments without medical approval. The government, supported by medical experts and campaigners, emphasizes the move is about rooting out rogue operators, not banning cosmetic procedures outright, and reducing the burden of corrective care on the NHS. A public consultation will launch next year to finalize the procedures covered under the new regulations, and violators will face financial penalties and sanctions. The initiative is widely praised as a vital step for patient safety and follows years of campaigning and investigative reporting.