Report urges govt to ‘speed up’ licensing regime for non-surgical cosmetic procedures

The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has welcomed a report this week from the Commons Health & Social Care Committee, which urges the government to speed up the introduction of the licensing regime for non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

It is hoped that a stringent licensing initiative for treatments such as fillers, Botox, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and non-surgical laser treatments will prevent vulnerable people from being exploited and ensure that premises are hygienically fit for purpose.

“The recommendations in the Health & Social Care Committee’s report are well-considered and helpful,” comments Caroline Larissey, director of quality & standards at the NHBF. “The NHBF is pleased to see on the back of our written evidence, recommendations around specific premises standards with enforcement powers attached and a qualifications and training framework as a central pillar to the future licensing regime.”

Other recommendations in the report included the suggestion of online advertising carrying a logo in order to identify digitally altered body images, a review of the cosmetic use of anabolic steroids, and further research into tackling obesity while also eliminating weight discrimination and stigma.

“A proposed Taskforce makes sense in bringing together the different regulatory bodies and it’s essential that the hair and beauty sector is represented here,” Larissey continues. “We have also consistently called for a central point of contact for advice and guidance for the public. In line with the report, we are keen to push on, engage in the government’s consultation process and deliver better public safety.”

Despite powers being granted to the government to introduce new licensing regimes for non-surgical cosmetic procedures, a timetable for the next stages in the consultation of what this licensing could look like has yet to be set.

Read the full report from the Commons Health & Social Care, here.