The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) is urging the UK Government to introduce urgent licensing for the non-surgical cosmetics procedures sector, alongside an immediate restriction and ‘de facto ban’ of Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs) and liquid breast augmentation.
The parliamentary committee’s report – Health Impacts of Breast Implants and Other Cosmetic Procedures Report (HC 869) – was published on 18 February and recommends that these ‘high harm’ procedures be banned immediately without further consultation.
The report highlights safety concerns across both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, reiterating many of the calls for reform championed by the British Beauty Council for better regulation in the space.
This includes the evidence that Victoria Brownlie MBE, the British Beauty Council’s Chief Policy and Sustainability Officer, presented to the committee in July 2025.
The WEC’s report highlights high-harm treatments, such as liquid BBLs, the lack of regulation in non-surgical procedures, and the risks associated with cosmetic tourism.
It also highlights the impact of social media on body image among all ages, with a focus on young women, and emphasises the importance of practitioner qualifications, after care and public awareness.
Under the current framework, procedures such as anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers are currently unregulated, meaning non-medical practitioners are able to provide these treatments.
In August 2025, new measures were introduced by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) which meant only qualified health care professionals are able perform the highest-risk procedures, such as non-surgical BBLs.
The British Beauty Council has long campaigned for the Government to introduce a licensing scheme for ‘green’ and ‘amber’ treatment categories, dependent on the practitioner’s qualifications, and restrict high-risk ‘red’ category procedures to qualified medical professionals.
Under the new licensing scheme, treatments deemed ‘low risk’ will fall under council licensing
Treatments deemed ‘low risk’, such as lip filler and anti-wrinkle injections, will fall under council licensing schemes.
Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee and Labour MP, Sarah Owen, said in a statement: “The Government is not moving quickly enough in introducing a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures and should accelerate regulatory action.
“Currently, individuals without any formal training can carry out potentially very harmful interventions and often do so in unsafe environments.
“This ‘wild west’ of procedures is placing the public at risk.”
Evidence presented to the WEC referenced such procedures taking place in Airbnbs, hotel rooms, garden sheds and public toilets.
Government consultation on the subject began in 2023, with Owen urging the Government to commit and implement the licensing scheme by 2029.
Alice Hart-Davis, British Beauty Council Board Member and founder of aesthetics publication The Tweakments Guide, told Cosmetics Business: “The WEC is calling for high-risk ‘red category’ procedures, specifically BBLs and liquid breast augmentation, to be restricted immediately to appropriately qualified medical professionals, without any further consultation.
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