Currently, treatments such as lip enhancements are available at premises including hairdressers and pharmacies.

The government is seeking views on the need for statutory regulation of non-surgical cosmetic treatments, the numbers of which carried out across Scotland and the UK has risen considerably over the years and continues to do so.

In Scotland, independent clinics run by a doctor, nurse, dentist, dental nurse, midwife or dental care professional and who provide these procedures are now regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS).

However non-surgical cosmetic procedures that pierce/penetrate the skin, such as lip enhancement or dermal fillers, are not currently regulated and anyone is currently able to carry out such procedures. There is also a growing potential risk posed by an increase in unregulated premises carrying out such procedures.

Furthermore, a number of pharmacists have now entered the cosmetics procedure field and are providing injectable procedures within premises that are currently not regulated by, and do not need to be registered with, HIS.

The Scottish government wants to ensure that anyone providing non-surgical cosmetic procedures that pierce/penetrate the skin is competent and appropriately trained to do so, from hygienic premises that are fit for purpose.

It is therefore seeking views on the need for further statutory regulation to ensure the safety of people considering or undergoing these procedures.

Read the consultation paper here