A move towards medicalisation
The aesthetics industry anticipates greater government action on licensing cosmetic procedures to improve safety
There is likely to be a push towards legitimising the medical nature of aesthetic treatments in the aesthetics sector, something that both The British Association of Medical Aesthetic Nurses (BAMAN) and British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) have championed.
The recognition of the sector by the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) as a speciality was a significant move towards the medicalisation of aesthetics in 2024.
The creation of the RSM Section of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery (SAMAS) significantly enhanced the credibility and medical standing of the field, signalling a growing acceptance of aesthetics within the wider medical community, often seen to have not considered it “real medicine”.
Aesthetics and CCR highlighted this trend in its recently published report, noting that “50% of private dentists in the UK have expanded their service offerings to include aesthetic treatments” and that a “comparable number of ophthalmology providers are also offering some form of pathetic treatment (47%) with this trend being reflected in Optical Expresses acquisition of Harley Medical Group and sk:n Clinics.”
The report continues: “As more dental and ophthalmology clinics begin to offer aesthetic services, the market is becoming increasingly diverse, with more points of entry for patients seeking treatment. This diversification helps to destigmatise aesthetic procedures, aligning them more closely with the kind of expert care patients expect from medical professionals.
“In turn, this expansion will likely contribute to greater patient trust and confidence in the safety, effectiveness and professionalisation of aesthetic treatments. Ultimately, this shift suggests a future where aesthetics is seen as an integral part of healthcare, further solidifying its place in a wider medical landscape.”
Regulation will also be a crucial piece of the puzzle here. While the Government was not forthcoming with its response to the consultation on the Licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in 2024, the industry is hopeful this will move forward in 2025.
Hamilton Fraser CEO Eddie Hooker comments, “We are hopeful that 2025 will bring much-needed regulatory progress, enhancing safety standards and patient trust.”
“I am positive and hopeful for change when it comes to regulation and safety in the industry. I'm delighted that, very recently, I've been taken on as part of JCCP for driving forward regulation, and I'm positive and optimistic that over the next couple of years, those conversations are just going to accelerate. And I'm really optimistic and excited for that change because we are long, long overdue.”
You can listen to our podcast with JCCP chair Professor David Sines here.
The Government’s response to the consultation on the UK licensing scheme, anticipated in 2025
The RSM’s new Section of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery (SAMAS), which will facilitate regular educational events to support relevant professionals in providing evidence-based care and optimal practice, as well as provide a platform for scientific debate in the field
Changing terminology: The sector is becoming more mindful about the words it uses that align it more with medicine: “sector” over “industry”, “patient” over “client”, “layperson” over “non-medic”, etc
Recognition by the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) through the creation of SAMAS.
Diversification of services offered by medical professionals, such as dentists and ophthalmologists, into aesthetic treatments.
Anticipated government regulation and licensing for non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
