Beauty & Aesthetics Regulation for Non-Surgical Procedures (Scotland)

Scotland has become the first country in the UK to formally introduce new laws such as the Beauty & Aesthetics Regulation that will impact anyone starting or currently practicing in the Beauty & Aesthetics Industry performing non-surgical treatments.

The Bill was introduced in October 2025, passed in March 2026 and will become legal on the 6th Of September 2027.

What does this mean for aspiring or existing Practitioners?

• It moves the aesthetics industry from unregulated to regulated
• It outlines who can perform treatments, where and under what measures
• It will become a criminal offence if anyone is non-compliant after 6th September 2027
• This gives aspiring or existing practitioners in Scotland, 18 months to become compliant

At current, there is a legal framework in place and in the coming months there will be a secondary legislation that will most likely reveal:

• An Exact Treatment List
• Final Tier Placement (meaning which treatments are classified as Low, Medium or High Risk)
• Licencing Requirement for Each Treatment

Will this Bill affect other countries in the UK? Most likely, it is rumoured that England will observe the Scotland model and potentially adapt a similar model.

The England model is being finalised after numerous delays before being presented in parliament.

What Do We Know So Far?

Treatments are currently split into 2 categories

Low Risk Treatments (Local Authority Licencing)

It is considered non-medical risk, but still regulated. Premises to be fit for purposes, licenced and inspected. Clinic to meet hygiene, training & insurance standards.

Examples of treatments are:

• Superficial Chemical Peels 
• Microneedling (up to 1.5mm)
• Some Laser/Light Treatments
• Skin Rejuvenation Treatments (minimal skin penetration)
• Radiofrequency/Basic Facial Electricals

Who does this apply to? 

1. Beauticians, Therapists and Practitioners
2. Can only practice if licenced, qualified, and working in approved premises

 

High Risk Treatments (Medical & Clinic Oversight)

Any treatment that pierce or penetrates the skin deeply or which carries a medical risk. Treatments to be performed at a Registered Medical Premises (HIS Regulated). Prescribing Healthcare Professional Involved and treatments delivered by or under the supervision of a qualified Medical Professional.

Examples of treatments are:

• Botox/Fillers
• Skin Boosters/Injectables (still unclear if anything not prescribed will be High Risk)
• IV Drips
• Thread Lifts
• Deep Chemical Peels (Phenol / Maybe some high concentrate TCA peels)
• Microneedling (above 1.5mm)
• Ablative Lasers/Subcision/Microcoring

Who does this apply to?

• Doctors, Nurses, Dentists etc.
• Or – non-medics ONLY if under supervision (However, not clear on which treatments this applies to)

Key Restrictions

• Treatments banned for under 18s
• Illegal to work outside of approved setting
• Criminal penalties (fines up to £20k)

Mandatory Training

• CPD Accreditation will no longer be valid (by the 6th of September 2027)
• Mandatory Ofqual regulated Qualifications needed
• Standardised Training Requirements in place
• Competency Framworks

How Can Providers Help?

Here at Elixir Skin Training, we provide tailored Ofqual Regulated Qualifications at Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 in Beauty & Aesthetics. We are an approved VTCT and Focus Awards training centre.

Our tailored training is unique to Elixir Skin Training. This allows you to have a flexible training plan where we will take into consideration personal and work commitments without affecting the quality of our delivery.

We create a unique learning plan where you will have exclusive lifetime access to our online learning portal which will provide you with extensive support, resources, supplementary video tutorials- all allowing you to learn at your own speed.

Practical training dates at our centre will be discussed as part of your learning plan at onboarding, taking into consideration your availability and always ensuring there are no more than two students per session.

Our personalised approach will ensure you receive quality training without impacting your current schedule and without the need for weekly attendance.

We don’t just teach you textbook learning and practice, we run our own skin clinic, elixSKIN Clinic, this helps us to teach you real life industry experience.

If you are based in Scotland and need to convert your CPD Accreditation or you are thinking about starting your career, have a look at our Ofqual Regulated Qualifications. Look at our Google Reviews and Visit our Instagram to see our student case studies, including some students from Scotland.