Treatment guide

Injectable aesthetics in the UK: what to check before you book

Injectable aesthetics covers botulinum toxin (often called by the brand name Botox) and dermal fillers. In England no licence is required to perform them today, and no qualification is legally mandated for fillers — a licensing scheme has been agreed but is not yet in force. Botulinum toxin is a different matter: it is a prescription-only medicine, so a prescriber must assess you face to face.

Last reviewed 20 August 2026 · How we research and check this

Amber tier

Is it regulated?

No licence is required to perform this in England today. In scope of the licensing scheme and placed in the amber tier. When the scheme starts, this will need a local-authority licence and oversight from a named regulated healthcare professional.

Botulinum toxin is prescription-only, which means a doctor, dentist, prescribing nurse or prescribing pharmacist must assess you in person before it is prescribed. Dermal fillers are regulated as devices rather than medicines, which is why anyone can currently buy and inject them. It is a criminal offence to administer either to someone under 18 for cosmetic reasons, or to book that appointment for them.

Basis: Section 180, Health and Care Act 2022 and the Government's consultation response of 7 August 2025, tracked in House of Commons Library briefing CBP-10331.

What the practitioner should hold

Insurers generally want a Level 4 qualification or a healthcare registration for injectables, plus specific training on each product. Ask which awarding body issued the qualification — Ofqual-regulated ones can be checked.

Insurance

Ask whether the policy covers the specific injectable being used, and who holds it. A salon policy does not necessarily cover a visiting injector.

What it costs

Guide price: we do not yet have enough member listings to publish a reliable range for aesthetics. We publish this figure only when there is real data behind it.

Questions to ask before you book

Who is prescribing the botulinum toxin, and will I see them in person?
Which product are you using, and can I see the box and batch number?
What qualification do you hold for this treatment, and who awarded it?
Who do I call if something goes wrong at 9pm on a Saturday?
What is your policy if I am not happy with the result?

Red flags

No face-to-face consultation with a prescriber before botulinum toxin
Won't name the product or show you the packaging
Prices that undercut everyone locally by a wide margin
Pressure to book today, or a deposit before any consultation
No named person responsible for aftercare

Common questions

Is Botox regulated in the UK?

Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine, so it must be prescribed by a qualified prescriber after a face-to-face assessment. But the act of injecting it is not itself licensed in England yet. The Health and Care Act 2022 created the power to license cosmetic procedures, and the Government confirmed in August 2025 that injectables will sit in the amber tier — requiring a local-authority licence and oversight by a named regulated healthcare professional. That scheme is not in force at the time of writing.

Do dermal fillers require a qualification by law?

No. In England there is currently no legal minimum qualification to inject dermal fillers on an adult. That is precisely what the licensing scheme is intended to change. Until it does, checking qualifications and insurance yourself is the only protection you have.

Can under-18s have Botox or fillers?

No. 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 also an offence to make the booking or arrangements.

What should I do if a treatment goes wrong?

Contact the practitioner first — a competent one will have an aftercare route and, for fillers, access to dissolving agent. If you cannot reach them or the reaction is severe, seek medical help immediately; sudden blanching, severe pain or vision changes after filler are emergencies. Keep the product details and any messages.

Members offering aesthetics

Related guides

Skin treatments LED light therapy