What does the licensing scheme mean for aesthetic practitioners?
Aesthetic practitioners will need to meet standards for safe procedures, premises, and insurance
The JCCP has produced a detailed licensing in aesthetics FAQ fact sheet, which provides more information for both patients and practitioners and should answer most of the questions you will have about what is to come, as well as a video and a handy infographic explaining the changes.
We don’t know exactly what will be included within the licence and what level of training will be required, but we do expect that once the legislation comes into effect, practitioners performing procedures that fall within the scope of the licence will have to demonstrate that they meet a nationally determined standard of knowledge and skill to perform those procedures safely and effectively.
Practitioners will also be required to work from premises that meet a national standard in health protection and infection control which will be determined by local authority environmental health officers.
Other standards are also expected to be included in the licence around issues of product supply, storage of products and medicines, prescribing practice, complaints procedures, insurance and the information given to clients by practitioners.
When it comes to the procedures that will need to be licensed, a cosmetic procedure is defined as a procedure, other than a surgical or dental procedure, that is carried out for cosmetic purposes, and includes the following:
The injection of a substance
The application of a substance that is capable of penetrating into or through the epidermis
The insertion of needles into the skin
The placing of threads under the skin
The application of light, electricity, cold or heat
Procedures affected are therefore likely to include:
Use of botulinum toxin
Dermal fillers
Skin boosters
Threads
Lasers
Micro-needling
However, it will likely include others such as vitamin infusions, cryolipolysis, sclerotherapy, invasive chemical peels and hair restoration surgery.
Some treatments, such as superficial peels and laser treatments, might be ‘deregulated’ and some beauty treatments, such as acupuncture, may be brought into scope.
The exact procedures included will be defined as the licensing law is drafted.
The law will also enable the creation of a redress scheme and make indemnity insurance compulsory, as well as providing for compulsory reporting of adverse effects to a central body. It will be enforced by trading standards.
Hamilton Fraser is the UK's leading cosmetic insurance partner. Get a quote online or call the team on 0800 634 3881.
