New Aesthetics Regulations 2026: What Practitioners Need to Know
The government has published proposals that could change the regulatory framework for certain high-risk cosmetic and wellbeing procedures in England.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) launched a consultation on 21 October 2026, seeking views on proposed restrictions covering specified cosmetic surgery and non-surgical procedures. The proposals include certain laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments.
For aesthetic practitioners, beauty businesses and clinic owners, understanding the scope of these proposals is important. However, it is equally important to distinguish between proposed changes and the requirements that already apply to a business.
In this guide, we explain what the government is consulting on, which procedures are identified in the proposals, and what practitioners may wish to review while the consultation process continues.
This article provides general information, not legal advice. The proposals discussed remain subject to consultation and the legislative process.
What are the proposed aesthetics regulations?
On 21 October 2026, the DHSC published its consultation, Restrictions on the performance of high-risk cosmetic and wellbeing procedures in England.
The consultation proposes restricting specified high-risk procedures to defined groups of qualified, regulated healthcare professionals. Providers offering the procedures covered by the proposed framework would also need to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The healthcare professionals identified in the proposals are:
Doctors registered with the General Medical Council (GMC).
Dentists.
Independent prescribing nurses.
Independent prescribing midwives.
Independent prescribing pharmacists.
The proposals would restrict cosmetic surgery to doctors.
The government is also proposing that the specified procedures should generally only be performed on people aged 18 and over, with exceptions for NHS provision and treatment of a medical condition by a healthcare professional.
These are proposals, not restrictions that should be assumed to have come into force simply because the consultation has been published.
The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 13 January 2027. The government has stated that the final regulations will be subject to parliamentary debate before the proposed restrictions can be introduced. Further details about implementation will follow the legislative process.
The official consultation is available here:
Restrictions on the performance of high-risk cosmetic and wellbeing procedures in England — GOV.UK
Which procedures are included in the proposals?
The consultation identifies several categories of cosmetic and wellbeing procedures for potential restriction.
These include:
Cosmetic surgery, including specified filler procedures involving parts of the body other than the face.
Deep chemical peels.
Dermal microcoring.
Intravenous procedures for cosmetic or wellbeing purposes.
Specified laser and IPL procedures.
Non-resorbable facial fillers.
Subcision.
Procedures involving the introduction of therapeutic products derived from human blood or plasma, including cosmetic platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments.
Cosmetic procedures involving the administration of an anaesthetic by separate injection.
The proposed definitions matter. The inclusion of a treatment in a broad category does not mean that every procedure described using similar terminology will necessarily fall within the final legal definition.
Practitioners should refer to the consultation document and, when available, the final legislation and associated guidance to establish how individual treatments are covered.
The consultation is also seeking views on the proposed scope of the restrictions, so the final framework may differ from the current proposals.
What do the proposals mean for laser and IPL treatments?
Laser and IPL treatments are used for a variety of cosmetic purposes, and the government consultation does not treat all uses of these technologies as a single category.
Instead, it identifies three specific categories of laser and IPL procedures for potential inclusion within the proposed restrictions.
1. Lasers used to remove layers of skin
The consultation identifies laser procedures involving the removal of one or more layers of skin. Its description includes ablative laser treatments involving the controlled and complete removal of tissue beyond the epidermis.
2. Lasers introduced through a puncture or incision
The proposals also identify procedures in which a laser is introduced into the skin through a puncture or incision. The consultation gives examples of percutaneous energy-based procedures, including Endolaser and Vaser treatments.
3. Laser or IPL treatments involving the eyelid or periorbital rim
The third category covers the use of laser or IPL on the eyelid or within the periorbital rim.
These are the categories expressly identified in the consultation. Practitioners should refer to the government's definitions when considering whether a particular procedure falls within the proposed scope.
It would be inappropriate to assume that every laser or IPL treatment is included simply because it uses the same underlying technology. Equally, a clinic should not assume that a procedure falls outside the proposals without considering its actual nature and the wording of the relevant definitions.
For businesses offering multiple laser treatments, this is an area worth monitoring as the consultation progresses.
Does this mean every laser hair removal clinic will be affected?
The consultation does not identify all laser and IPL treatments as high-risk procedures. Its proposed categories are defined by the nature and application of the treatment.
Consequently, it would be inaccurate to interpret the consultation as a blanket statement that every conventional laser hair removal treatment is subject to the proposed restrictions.
However, this article cannot determine the legal position of an individual treatment or clinic. The precise procedure, how it is performed and the applicable legal definitions must be considered.
Practitioners should avoid making definitive decisions about their eligibility to perform particular treatments based solely on headlines, marketing descriptions or general summaries of the consultation.
Once the government publishes its final position and the relevant legislation, practitioners will be better placed to assess any changes that may apply to their own services.
How do the proposals relate to existing compliance requirements?
The proposed restrictions concern who may perform specified procedures and the regulatory framework under which those procedures would be provided.
Other requirements may apply to an aesthetic business independently of these proposals. These can include local authority licensing requirements, workplace health and safety duties and requirements relevant to the equipment being used.
These areas should not be treated as interchangeable.
For example, a local authority licence does not, by itself, establish that a practitioner would meet any future eligibility requirements for a restricted procedure. Likewise, satisfying practitioner eligibility requirements would not automatically demonstrate that all relevant workplace safety arrangements are appropriate.
The requirements applicable to a business will depend on its activities, premises, equipment and circumstances.
For clinics using laser and IPL equipment, reviewing existing safety arrangements remains a separate and worthwhile consideration while the government consultation continues.
Laser safety: what should clinics consider?
Laser and IPL safety is a separate consideration from the proposed restrictions on practitioner eligibility.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) provides guidance on laser radiation safety, including information about the hazards associated with laser products and the importance of appropriate risk controls.
For workplace use of Class 3B and Class 4 lasers, UKHSA identifies requirements under the Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010 for risk assessment, adequate control measures and training.
The specific arrangements required will depend on the equipment and circumstances of use.
For an aesthetic clinic, areas to review may include:
Risk assessment: whether the relevant risks associated with the equipment and its use have been assessed.
Written safety procedures: whether appropriate Local Rules and instructions are available where required.
Protective eyewear: whether the eyewear is appropriate for the equipment and wavelengths in use.
Treatment room arrangements: whether warning signs, access arrangements and other controls are appropriate for the particular installation.
Staff training: whether those operating the equipment have appropriate training and understand the relevant safety procedures.
Equipment information: whether relevant operating instructions and technical documentation are available.
Emergency arrangements: whether appropriate procedures have been established for foreseeable incidents.
This is not an exhaustive checklist, and not every measure applies identically to every system. The appropriate controls should be determined with reference to the equipment, its classification, the conditions of use and applicable guidance.
The relevant UKHSA and HSE resources are provided below for practitioners who wish to review the underlying guidance.
What is the role of a Laser Protection Adviser?
A Laser Protection Adviser (LPA) provides specialist advice on the safe use of laser equipment and, where relevant, other optical radiation systems used in aesthetic practice.
MHRA guidance on the safe use of lasers, intense light source systems and LEDs addresses the role of an LPA, risk assessment, Local Rules, protective equipment, training and other aspects of safety management.
For relevant laser and IPL systems, consulting an LPA can help a clinic review its safety arrangements and identify areas that may require attention.
Depending on the scope of the engagement, this may include:
Reviewing laser safety documentation and risk assessments.
Preparing or reviewing Local Rules.
Assessing relevant treatment room safety arrangements.
Reviewing protective eyewear and warning signage.
Identifying gaps in safety documentation or procedures.
Providing recommendations on appropriate laser safety controls.
In England, MHRA guidance describes consultation with an LPA where Class 3B or Class 4 lasers and/or IPL systems are operated as good practice. This should not be misrepresented as a universal statutory requirement for every clinic or every device.
The role of an LPA is to provide specialist advice within the agreed scope of work. An LPA appointment or report does not, by itself, establish that a business meets every legal, licensing, clinical or equipment-related requirement.
For clinic owners, the value of specialist advice is in understanding the risks associated with their equipment and establishing appropriate safety arrangements.
What should practitioners do while the consultation is open?
The consultation does not mean every aesthetic business needs to make immediate changes to its services. However, practitioners may wish to use this period to understand the proposals and review the arrangements that already apply to their businesses.
1. Read the official consultation
Review the proposed procedure definitions and practitioner eligibility requirements. If you provide a treatment that may fall within one of the identified categories, seek clarification where necessary rather than relying on a general summary.
2. Review the treatments you offer
Consider whether any procedures you provide could fall within the proposed definitions. For businesses offering several services, each treatment should be considered on its own characteristics.
3. Check your existing obligations
Review the requirements relevant to your premises, local authority licensing arrangements, equipment and workplace safety. These requirements are separate from the proposed restrictions and should be assessed on their own terms.
4. Review laser safety arrangements where relevant
If your clinic uses laser or IPL equipment, consider whether the relevant safety documentation, training and control measures are appropriate for the equipment and its use.
Where specialist advice is needed, an appropriately qualified LPA may be able to assist with the laser safety aspects of that review.
5. Monitor official updates
The consultation closes on 13 January 2027. The government will consider responses and publish its final policy position and regulations in due course. The final requirements and implementation arrangements should be checked before making decisions that depend on them.
Official guidance and further reading
For the most reliable information, practitioners should refer to official sources and distinguish between consultation proposals and existing guidance.
Government consultation
Restrictions on the performance of high-risk cosmetic and wellbeing procedures in England
Government announcement
Cosmetic cowboys crackdown continues with new restrictions
UK Health Security Agency
Laser radiation: safety advice
Health and Safety Executive
The law on optical radiation at work
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Final thoughts
The government's consultation is an important development for the aesthetics industry in England, but the implications will depend on the final scope of the restrictions and the procedures to which they apply.
For practitioners, the most useful starting point is to understand the proposals, establish which requirements already apply to their business and monitor official updates before making decisions based on the proposed framework.
For clinics using laser and IPL equipment, the consultation also provides an opportunity to review laser safety arrangements independently of any future changes to practitioner eligibility.
Understanding the distinction between these areas can help practitioners make informed decisions and identify where further advice may be appropriate.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. It reflects the government consultation published on 21 October 2026 and may not reflect subsequent changes. Practitioners should consult the official documents and obtain advice appropriate to their individual circumstances.