England's high-risk cosmetic procedures consultation: what clinics need to know

What is England proposing?

The DHSC consultation, published on 21 October 2026, sets out draft regulations so that a list of high-risk cosmetic and wellbeing procedures could only be carried out by specified qualified, regulated healthcare professionals. Clinics offering them would also need to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Everything below is taken from the consultation on GOV.UK (checked 22 October 2026).

It follows a 2023 consultation on licensing non-surgical cosmetic procedures, which drew over 11,800 responses, and the government's response of 7 August 2025. The government says it is dealing with the highest-risk procedures first, and that a licensing scheme for lower-risk high street treatments will follow.

Which treatments are on the list?

The draft list covers:

• cosmetic surgery, including filler injected into any part of the body other than the face, such as the liquid BBL
• deep chemical peels that go deeper than the dermal-epidermal junction
• dermal microcoring
• intravenous (IV) procedures for cosmetic or wellbeing purposes
• specified lasers and IPL: ablative lasers, lasers inserted through the skin (such as Endolaser or Vaser), and laser or IPL on the eyelid or inside the eye socket rim
• non-resorbable facial fillers
• subcision
• blood or plasma-derived products, such as PRP
• procedures with a separately injected anaesthetic

Some items are grouped by treatment type, so new procedures of the same type would be caught too. CQC may issue guidance on what falls in scope.

Who could perform them?

Only these regulated healthcare professionals:

• doctors registered with the GMC
• dentists
• independent prescribing nurses
• independent prescribing midwives
• independent prescribing pharmacists

Cosmetic surgery, which here includes non-face fillers, would be restricted to doctors only.

Do clinics need CQC registration?

Yes. Providers offering any listed procedure would need to register with CQC for new regulated activities. Clients would have to be 18 or over, unless the treatment is NHS-provided or is a healthcare professional treating a medical condition.

What are the penalties?

Breaches would be criminal offences. According to the consultation:

• providing the procedures without CQC registration could mean an unlimited fine, up to 12 months in prison, or both
• allowing a procedure to be done by someone who isn't an approved professional, or treating an under-18, could mean an unlimited fine, with fixed penalties of £4,000 for providers and £2,000 for registered managers as an alternative to prosecution

When does it close, and how do I respond?

The consultation runs for 12 weeks and closes at 11:59pm on 13 January 2027. You can respond online on the DHSC consultation site. After that, the regulations go through Parliament, then there's a transition period for clinics to register with CQC before the restrictions start. CQC says it will consult on its own guidance and fees.

What should your front desk tell callers?

Expect questions from clients who've seen the news. Keep answers factual and agree the wording with your clinical lead or adviser first:

• "Is this treatment still allowed?" The proposals are a consultation, not law yet. Say who performs the treatment at your clinic and offer a consultation.
• "Is your practitioner qualified?" Give the practitioner's professional registration (for example GMC or NMC) if they hold one.
• "Can my 17-year-old book?" Follow your existing age policy and the current law on fillers and botulinum toxin for under-18s.
• Anything clinical, such as reactions or aftercare, goes straight to a clinician. In an emergency, tell callers to ring 999, or NHS 111 for urgent advice.

For advertising wording, see our guide to UK advertising rules for clinic phone enquiries.

How CallPad helps

CallPad is an AI receptionist for UK aesthetics clinics. When the news brings in more enquiries, it:

• answers every call, WhatsApp message and email, so enquiries don't go to voicemail
• uses the wording you approve about who performs each treatment and your age policy
• books consultations in real time with a named practitioner in Cliniko, Phorest, SalonIQ, Salon Manager or Google Calendar
• never gives clinical or legal advice. It transfers clinical calls to your team or takes a message and emails you what the caller wanted.

CallPad follows the configuration your clinic controls. It isn't a substitute for advice on CQC registration or the new rules. See CallPad for UK aesthetics clinics.

Frequently asked questions

Is this law yet?

No. It's a consultation on draft regulations. After it closes on 13 January 2027 the regulations go through Parliament, followed by a transition period for CQC registration. No date has been set.

Which treatments are on the proposed list?

Cosmetic surgery (including filler anywhere other than the face, such as the liquid BBL), deep chemical peels, dermal microcoring, cosmetic or wellbeing IV drips, specified lasers and IPL, non-resorbable facial fillers, subcision, blood or plasma-derived products such as PRP, and procedures that use a separately injected anaesthetic.

Who could perform them?

Doctors, dentists, and independent prescribing nurses, midwives and pharmacists. Cosmetic surgery, including non-face fillers, would be limited to GMC-registered doctors.

Would my clinic need CQC registration?

Yes, if it offers any of the listed procedures. Breaching the rules would be a criminal offence.

How do I respond to the consultation?

Online through the DHSC consultation page before 11:59pm on 13 January 2027.

Can CallPad give clinical or legal advice to callers?

No. CallPad uses the wording you approve, books consultations, and passes clinical questions to your team.

See it for your clinic

Book a demo for your clinic, or hear CallPad take a call.