In October last year, a Private Members' Bill was passed banning Botox and dermal fillers for under 18s. It stated that only a doctor, registered medical practitioner, or a health professional may administer such procedures to under 18s and only where there is a medical need. The bill was initially introduced by Laura Trott, the Conservative MP for Sevenoaks, who wrote for Grazia at the time:

'Grazia readers know the pressure that young people are under from social media to conform to aesthetic ideals, which are simply not attainable without cosmetic surgery or interventions. These interventions are not only completely unnecessary – no child needs cosmetic Botox – but potentially dangerous.'

READ MORE: 'I Hope Today Marks The Start Of Much Needed Change': Laura Trott MP On New The Botox And Filler Ban For Under-18s

While delighted that her 'Botox bill' had made good, Trott was vocal about the work that still needed to be done. 'It is vital that the regulatory framework around the cosmetics industry protects consumers,' says Trott, 'and allows them to make informed and safe choices.' The solution? Licensing.

This week the UK government announced intentions to introduce a licensing framework to crack down on unregulated non-surgical cosmetic treatments like Botox and dermal fillers. The new rules will arrive in the form of an amendment to the Health and Care Bill and will demand that practitioners meet soon-to-be established safety, training and hygiene standards.

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BABTAC - British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology - has long campaigned for regulation, BABTAC CEO Lesley Blair comments:

'After so many years of campaigning for further regulation of our industry – including contributing and providing evidence to the APPGs and other industry authorities, BABTAC are delighted that the government has today announced that they intend to introduce a nationwide licensing regime for non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as botulism toxins and fillers. The confirmation that government is committing to further regulation in the beauty industry is more important than ever, especially when considering that if done incorrectly, injectables can lead to permanent facial damage including blindness, paralysis, distortion and even necrosis of the skin tissue. So, with injectables in particular it is critical that a legal and qualified prescribing practitioner is on site to manage any complications should they arise'.

the UK is the only developed country in the world that allows non-medics to administer botox and fillers

Advanced facial aesthetics doctor, Dr Ahmed El Muntasar, concurs, 'I think this will be amazing for patient safety and protecting vulnerable patients from rogue injectors,' he says, 'and people that have not got the medical training to be able to inject, but more importantly it's about dealing with the complications and this is where your medical training comes in.' He continues, 'I think it’s about time a law like this comes through to the UK, the UK is the only developed country in the world that allows non-medics to administer botox and fillers.'

As for what the news means for you? If you book in for Botox, fillers or any non-surgical cosmetic treatment with a qualified practitioner already - you can cross-check your practitioner against a list of accredited professionals here on the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners website or here on the Save Face website - it's likely you won't notice much of a difference. If your practitioner is not a registered professional and is neither qualified nor insured, it's likely the treatments they are able to offer going forward will be limited.

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