Key Facts

• Amendments aim to ensure non-surgical cosmetic procedures are only performed if deemed medically necessary.
• The Bill currently allows registered medical practitioners to carry out procedures on individuals under 18 without needing to provide medical evidence.
• Evidence suggests some practitioners sought excuses during lockdown to perform these procedures.
• The Government will conduct a post-implementation review within five years to assess policy effectiveness.
• Practitioners must establish reasonable steps to verify client age before performing treatments.
• The amendment requires recording and verifying proof of age for clients.
• Clause 1 aims to prevent invasive cosmetic procedures on children without medical or psychological assessment.
• Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine regulated by MHRA, while other filler substances lack equivalent classification.
• Doctors have a defence for administering substances if they follow GMC guidance, but cases of misuse exist.
• Adverts on Amazon offer fillers and consultations as alternatives to botox advertisements.
• Practitioners without medical qualifications access botulinum toxin through prescription signing practices.
• The General Medical Council (GMC) publishes guidelines on ethical obligations for doctors undertaking cosmetic procedures, including guidance on responsible advertising.
• The amendment aims to address widespread abuse by doctors prescribing botox for under-18s.
• Kevan Jones highlights that botox is a prescription medicine but is advertised online as if it were available over the counter.
• Social media platforms are targeted for their role in promoting such products to young people.
• Clause 2 sets out a duty on business owners to ensure that substances are not administered to persons under 18.
• Clause 3 makes it an offence for officers of body corporates to consent or neglect arrangements for botox or filler administration to minors.
• Clause 4 allows local authorities to enforce provisions alongside police powers using existing enforcement and investigatory powers from the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
• The cosmetic filler and botox industry is worth billions of pounds.
• Local authorities lack clear powers to regulate these procedures effectively.
• There are cases where individuals need NHS procedures to correct botched treatments, costing taxpayers significantly.
• It has been five years since the Keogh review recommended increased regulation.