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Are fillers and Botox regulated in England? Where the rules stand in 2026

3 November 2026

If you are booking dermal fillers, anti-wrinkle injections or a laser treatment in England, you may assume the person doing it has to hold a licence. As of late 2026, they don’t.

The law exists, but it isn’t in force

The Health and Care Act 2022 gave the government the power to create a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England. According to a summary from the clinic software company Pabau, no regulations have yet been made under that power and there is no start date.

The Department of Health and Social Care consulted on the scheme in 2023 and published its response on 7 August 2025, confirming a three-tier, traffic-light approach to risk. Under the proposals, local authorities would license both practitioners and premises, and it would become an offence to carry out a covered procedure without a licence, as the government consultation describes.

Until those regulations are made, the Professional Standards Authority notes there are still no mandatory requirements for people carrying out even the highest-risk non-surgical procedures.

What is already covered

  • Under-18s: cosmetic injectables were banned for under-18s in England in 2021, according to the PSA.
  • Procedures that count as surgery: treatments that fall under surgical procedures, including hair transplants and cosmetic surgery, need a clinic registered with the Care Quality Commission.

Scotland is ahead

Scotland passed its own law in 2026. The PSA reports that the Non-Surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Act received Royal Assent in May 2026, with a separate order bringing in licensing for lower-risk treatments.

How to choose a practitioner in the meantime

  1. Use an accredited register. The PSA advises choosing a practitioner on one of its accredited registers. Two cover non-surgical cosmetics: the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners and Save Face.
  2. Ask about their clinical background. Ask whether they are a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist, and check that registration with their own professional regulator.
  3. Ask who prescribes. Anti-wrinkle injections are prescription-only medicines, so a prescriber should assess you before treatment.
  4. Ask what happens if something goes wrong. A safe practitioner can explain how they handle complications, and can show you their insurance.

What happens next

The PSA has welcomed a Women and Equalities Committee call to bring in the scheme within this Parliament. Until then, the registers above are the best check available. We will update this guide when a start date is announced.

Sources