Upcoming UK Aesthetic Regulations & Our Commitment to Your Safety and Standards
Table of Contents
- Upcoming UK Aesthetic Regulations & Our Commitment to Your Safety and Standards
- The Need for Clearer Standards
- What’s Changing?
- Regulatory Timeline
- Our Proactive Approach to Patient Safety
- CQC Regulated – Your Assurance of Quality
- Commitment to Best Practice (Save Face Principles)
- Accountability Through the Cosmetic Redress Scheme
- Highly Trained Team
- Patient Feedback and Transparency
- Making Informed Choices About Your Treatment
You may be aware of discussions surrounding new regulations for the UK aesthetics industry, expected to be introduced soon. As a clinic led by experienced doctors and dedicated to the highest standards of patient care, we believe it is important to discuss these changes and reiterate our existing commitments to your safety and well-being.
The Need for Clearer Standards
The demand for non-surgical aesthetic procedures has increased substantially in recent years. While many clinics operate responsibly, this growth has unfortunately highlighted variations in practitioner qualifications and safety protocols across the sector.
Concerns have been raised following incidents where patients experienced complications after treatments performed by individuals lacking sufficient training or working in unregulated environments.
To improve patient safety, bring consistency to the sector, and potentially introduce minimum age restrictions for certain cosmetic procedures, the UK government is developing a new regulatory framework, enabled by the Health and Care Act 2022.
This is expected to involve a mandatory licensing scheme for aesthetic practitioners and potentially for the premises from which they operate. The aim is to ensure that only suitably qualified individuals can perform aesthetic procedures, particularly those often deemed higher risk, such as the injection of dermal fillers and botulinum toxins. Work is ongoing to define the specific, nationally recognised training standards and qualifications that will be required under this new licence.
It is anticipated this scheme may adopt a tiered approach, linking required qualifications or oversight to the risk level of the treatment. Discussions also include potential stricter controls over products like dermal fillers, ensuring both the practitioner’s skill and the materials used meet high safety benchmarks.
What’s Changing?
Licensing Scheme – Practitioners and clinics will need to be licensed, especially for procedures like Botox, fillers, chemical peels, and laser treatments.
Mandatory Training – Only those with recognised qualifications and training will be allowed to perform certain treatments.
Age Restrictions – High-risk cosmetic procedures may be banned for under-18s, with exceptions for medical necessity.
- Premises Standards – Clinics must meet hygiene and infection control standards to obtain a licence.
- Equipment Safety Oversight – The safety rules for the actual devices used (e.g., lasers, energy machines) are also being strengthened under new UK regulations managed by the MHRA, ensuring the technology meets high standards through a phased implementation.
Regulatory Timeline
While the exact implementation schedule is still being finalised, UK aesthetics treatment regulation is steadily progressing, with significant changes expected to begin taking effect from 2025. As we await these formal regulations, we encourage all patients to prioritise safety by choosing qualified practitioners and staying informed about developments in the sector.
Our Proactive Approach to Patient Safety
We welcome measures that enhance patient protection and professional standards within aesthetics. At The Doctors Laser Clinic, the principles guiding these new regulations are already embedded in our daily practice. We believe transparency about our credentials and affiliations helps you make informed decisions about your care.
Doctor-Led Foundation – Our clinic was established and continues to be run by Dr Malcolm Willis, Dr Kathy Kestin, and Dr Mini Nelson. As experienced General Practitioners, they bring extensive medical knowledge, particularly in dermatology and aesthetics, ensuring clinical oversight is at the core of everything we do.
CQC Regulated – Your Assurance of Quality
The Doctors Laser Clinic is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This is not a voluntary accreditation; it is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. Being CQC regulated means our clinic undergoes rigorous inspections covering aspects like:
- Safety – Ensuring treatments are safe, equipment is maintained, and risks are managed effectively.
- Effectiveness – Checking that treatments are based on evidence and achieve good outcomes for patients.
- Care – Assessing whether patients are treated with compassion, dignity, and respect.
- Responsiveness – Evaluating how well the service meets patients’ needs.
- Leadership – Confirming the clinic is well-managed with a culture promoting high-quality care.
Our CQC registration provides you with independent verification that we meet fundamental standards of quality and safety.
Commitment to Best Practice (Save Face Principles)
We align with the principles promoted by organisations like Save Face, which maintains a register of accredited practitioners and clinics. This commitment involves adherence to best practices, using licensed products sourced from reputable suppliers, operating from a safe clinical environment, and ensuring practitioners have the verified qualifications for the treatments they offer. This reflects our dedication to operating ethically and transparently.
Accountability Through the Cosmetic Redress Scheme
We are members of the Cosmetic Redress Scheme. This demonstrates our commitment to accountability and patient satisfaction. The scheme provides an independent, impartial process for resolving complaints should you ever be dissatisfied with the service received. Membership signifies that we stand by our service and offer patients a clear pathway for resolution if issues arise.
Highly Trained Team
Beyond our founding doctors, our team includes senior nurses and laser technicians who have completed advanced training. For instance, our senior laser technicians hold BTEC Level 5 qualifications, representing a high level of expertise in light and energy-based therapies. All procedures are performed by appropriately qualified staff operating under strict protocols and medical supervision.
Patient Feedback and Transparency
All our patients are asked to leave feedback post-appointment. This feedback can be found on our website, numbering 4,762 reviews at time of writing. You can view these testimonials on our website. Additionally, we offer transparent, up-to-date pricing information, ensuring you have clear information about the cost of treatments before making any decisions.
Making Informed Choices About Your Treatment
The forthcoming regulations underscore the need for patients to choose aesthetic providers with care. When considering any aesthetic procedure, we advise you to verify:
- Practitioner Credentials – Confirm the individual performing your treatment has recognised medical or specialist qualifications relevant to that specific procedure. Do not hesitate to ask about their training and experience.
- Clinical Environment – Ensure the treatment will occur in a clean, safe, and appropriate clinical setting.
- Regulatory Status – Check if the clinic is registered with the CQC. This offers a baseline assurance of operational standards.
- Memberships and Accreditations – Look for affiliations like the Cosmetic Redress Scheme, which indicates a commitment to accountability.
- The Consultation – A comprehensive consultation is essential. It should cover your medical background, desired results, the procedure itself, potential risks, aftercare, and costs, allowing you to make a fully informed decision.
The move towards enhanced regulation marks a positive step for the aesthetics industry, prioritising patient safety. We are proud to operate within a framework that already meets and often exceeds these anticipated standards. Your health, safety, and confidence remain our primary focus.
Should you have any questions regarding the upcoming regulations, our qualifications, our CQC status, or any of our procedures, please feel free to contact us at the clinic directly.
