MSPs back plans to improve regulation of cosmetic procedures like Botox

MSPs have unanimously backed Scottish Government plans for a law to restrict the use of cosmetic procedures such as Botox, fillers and Brazilian butt lifts.

The Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill cleared its first hurdle in the Scottish Parliament after it was passed at stage one.

Ministers want to ensure non-surgical procedures are only carried out by registered healthcare professionals working in “appropriate settings”.

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

Advice Direct Scotland warned last year that people as young as 15 had sought support about botched Botox and filler treatment.

Overall, 430 people had contacted the consumeradvice.scot website for help over procedures that went wrong, with customers suffering a combined financial loss of £192,000.

Jenni Minto, minister for public health and women’s health, told Parliament: “Non-surgical procedures have become increasingly popular but regulation has not kept pace with this growing industry.

“Many people who undergo those procedures are happy with the results and there are many responsible practitioners operating in both the medical and beauty parts of the sector, many people value those procedures.

“This Bill is not about restricting access or judging anyone who receives them. However, I have heard a number of powerful accounts of those procedures going wrong, including the tragic death in England of a young mother.

“I am grateful to those who have brought these stories to my attention, including many MSPs in the chamber who have been campaigning on this issue. I present this Bill as minister for public health.

“However, as minister for women’s health, I am also very conscious that these stories, these stories of harm, have predominantly affected women, and we must act to minimise the risks of future harms to anyone receiving these procedures.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said while patients are largely women, those working in the sector are also largely women.

He warned that if MSPs “get the balance wrong” on regulations, “skilled and experienced practitioners could be regulated out of their profession altogether”.

Conservative MSP Maurice Golden warned the Bill could put 1,800 female-led businesses “to the wall”.

Ms Minto said she did not recognise those numbers.