MPs put stress on UK authorities to handle lack of injectables laws

A special parliamentary group published a report after a year-long investigation into the lack of a legal framework for treatment

UK MPs are calling on the government to grapple with what they call the “total lack of regulation” for botox, fillers and other aesthetic non-surgical cosmetic treatments.

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Beauty, Aesthetics and Wellbeing (APPG), chaired by Carolyn Harris MP and Judith Cummins MP, released its final report on the issue and availability of injectable aesthetic treatments on Monday after a year-long investigation in response to an explosion in popularity.

The report highlighted the lack of a full legal framework of standards and qualifications for such treatments, which has put consumers at risk and undermined the viability of the industry, according to the authors.

The APPG examined the standards and qualifications of practitioners, the case of practitioner registration or licensing, ethical and mental health issues, and advertising and social media issues.

While the group acknowledged that there are many good practices from practitioners in the beauty and medical industries, they also pointed to cases of bad practice in both areas.

The goal, according to the APPG, is to ensure that all practitioners receive the appropriate training and can demonstrate their competence in advanced aesthetic treatments.

Seventeen recommendations have been made to the UK government to address this regulatory loophole, including:

  • Setting national minimum standards for the training of practitioners;
  • Mandate practitioners have a regulated qualification in accordance with national standards;
  • Legislation introducing a national licensing framework;
  • Make fillers only available on prescription;
  • Development and commissioning of a psychological pre-screening of customers;
  • Extending the ban on under 18s receiving botox and fillers to other invasive aesthetic treatments;
  • Impose advertising restrictions on dermal fillers and other invasive aesthetic treatments;
  • Urge social media platforms to do more to curb misleading ads and posts promoting these treatments.

“For too long there has been virtually no limit to who can perform aesthetic treatments, what qualifications they must have, or where they can perform them,” said APPG Chairs Harris and Cummins.

“We initiated this investigation because we were deeply concerned that with the ever-increasing number of advanced treatments on the market, the regulation would remain fragmented, opaque and out of date, putting the public at risk.

“We were also particularly concerned about the advertising and social media advertising for these treatments and how we can ensure that vulnerable people, such as children and people with mental illness, are protected.”

They continued, “We urge the government to implement the recommendations in our report and take steps to improve the situation for the benefit of the industry and public safety. Maintaining the status quo is simply not an option. “

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