Regulation
Beauty and aesthetic treatment regulation in England
England has no licensing scheme in force for beauty or aesthetic treatments. Parliament created the power to introduce one in 2022, and the Government confirmed the shape of it in August 2025, but nothing has commenced. Today, any adult can legally perform dermal filler injections, microneedling or chemical peels on another adult without a licence or a qualification.
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What the law actually provides
Section 180 of the Health and Care Act 2022 allows the Secretary of State to make regulations requiring a personal licence to carry out specified cosmetic procedures in England, and a premises licence for the place they happen. Local authorities would administer both.
The definition of a cosmetic procedure covers injections, substances applied so as to penetrate the skin, needle insertion, threads placed under the skin, and applications of light, electricity, cold or heat. Surgical and dental procedures are excluded.
That power has not been exercised. It is enabling legislation waiting on regulations.
The three tiers, as confirmed in August 2025
The 2023 consultation drew almost 12,000 responses. The Government published its response on 7 August 2025, setting out a risk-based model:
- Red — highest risk, for example the liquid Brazilian butt lift. Restricted to regulated healthcare professionals and brought into Care Quality Commission regulation.
- Amber — for example botulinum toxin and dermal fillers. A local-authority licence plus oversight from a named regulated healthcare professional.
- Green — for example microneedling and chemical peels. Open to any licensed practitioner meeting the agreed standards.
A further consultation on detail — training standards, hygiene, insurance requirements and fees — is expected during 2026, after which regulations need parliamentary approval. No commencement date has been announced.
What is already law
Two things are in force now and are often confused with the licensing scheme.
Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine. A doctor, dentist, prescribing nurse or prescribing pharmacist must assess you in person before it can be prescribed. Remote prescribing for cosmetic use is contrary to professional guidance.
Under-18s cannot be treated. Since 1 October 2021 it has been a criminal offence in England to administer botulinum toxin or cosmetic fillers to someone under 18 for cosmetic purposes, and an offence to make the booking or arrangements for them.
What this means if you are booking
The practical position is that the qualification, insurance and hygiene standards of the person treating you are entirely voluntary, and nobody is checking them on your behalf. Asking is not rude — it is currently the only mechanism that exists.
Common questions
Do you need a licence to do Botox in England?
No. As the law stands, injecting botulinum toxin is not separately licensed in England. The medicine itself is prescription-only, so a qualified prescriber must assess you face to face and prescribe it, but the act of injecting is not licensed. The scheme agreed under section 180 of the Health and Care Act 2022 will place injectables in the amber tier when it commences. It has not commenced.
Is microneedling regulated in England?
Not currently. Microneedling was named as a green-tier example in the Government's August 2025 consultation response, meaning that once the scheme starts, any licensed practitioner meeting the agreed standards will be able to carry it out. Until then no licence is required and any adult may legally perform it.
When does the English licensing scheme start?
No date has been announced. A further consultation on the detail is expected during 2026, and the resulting regulations will need parliamentary approval before anything commences.
Does the English scheme apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?
No. Section 180 applies to England. Scotland has passed its own Act, Wales already licenses a narrower set of procedures, and Northern Ireland has no scheme.
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