Scottish Government pledges ‘robust’ regulations for Botox clinics

A new Bill at Holyrood aims to bring in “robust” regulations for procedures such as Botox, fillers and Brazilian butt lifts.

The Scottish Government has put forward legislation to ensure that these non-surgical procedures are only carried out by registered healthcare professionals working in “appropriate settings”.

The Bill would make it an offence for a person to provide these procedures outside of such a setting – preventing so-called “Botox parties” from taking place in homes.

The legislation would also make it an offence for these procedures to be provided to those under the age of 18.

Meanwhile, Healthcare Improvement Scotland would be given new powers to enter and search premises if they suspect these procedures are being carried out in breach of the regulations.

The Scottish Government has brought forward the Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill after the popularity of such treatments has “risen considerably over the years”.

As the sector is not currently fully regulated, anyone can carry out the procedures without formal training.

While there are approximately 550 independent clinics which are registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Government papers lodged alongside the legislation estimated there to be 1,000-1,500 unregulated businesses operating in the sector.

The Government paper states: “Alongside the growth of this industry, there has been increased concern about the safety of these procedures, especially, but not only, where they take place outwith a safe, hygienic and regulated setting.”

As well as covering injectable procedures, such as Botox, dermal fillers and non-surgical Brazilian butt lift, it would also apply to chemical peels and a range of other procedures including laser skin resurfacing and thread lifts, which aim to tighten the skin as an alternative to a facelift.

Public health minister Jenni Minto said the Government’s aim was “to ensure there is robust and proportionate regulation in place so that anyone who chooses to have these procedures can do so safely”.

Ms Minto said: “We have worked with a range of stakeholders including business owners, healthcare professionals, non-healthcare practitioners, environmental health officers and professional regulators to develop our proposals.

“Our priority is to address the public safety concerns that exist in this sector whilst ensuring businesses that may be impacted are able to access support.”