Microneedling Is Everywhere… But Are You Actually Safe?

BABTAC
By BABTAC

BABTAC The British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology regulates the industry and promotes public awareness of the importance of choosing an appropriately qualified, verified and insured therapist.

Microneedling has exploded in popularity, showing up in clinics, skincare routines, and even at-home devices you can buy online. But behind the hype, industry experts are now warning that not all treatments are created equal. With no consistent UK-wide regulation, the question isn’t just does it work? — it’s who is actually safe to trust with your skin?

The rapid rise in microneedling treatments has prompted leading industry bodies to introduce new standards, unveiled at the Houses of Parliament. The event was hosted by Carolyn Harris MP and featured an expert panel including Candice Gardner, Lesley Blair MBE, Alice Hart-Davis founder of The Tweakments Guide, and professional skin therapists.
 
The Sharp Standards Guide to Microneedling, developed jointly by Dermalogica and the British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (BABTAC), marks a significant step in demonstrating the industry’s commitment to consumer safety in the absence of current UK legislation.
rise in microneedling treatments

The Sharp Standards Guide aims to address this safety gap.

Lesley Blair MBE CEO BATAC & CIBTAC comments, “Both BABTAC and Dermalogica have always shared the common objective of raising levels of professionalism in our industry. Like Dermalogica, In the absence of legislation currently, we self-regulate our members to ensure they hold the correct qualifications to practice, and we enhance that learning with up-to-date best practice guidance. Dermalogica’s Microneedling Guide is an excellent and comprehensive resource to ensure qualified practitioners continue to pursue excellence in their treatments for consumers and Dermalogica should be applauded for providing such a valuable resource to the wider industry.”
 
“There are many different groups sharing information, and not all of it is accurate. This guide is an industry-wide initiative designed to create consistent best practice, regardless of location in the UK, and to ultimately protect consumer safety.”
 
Candice Gardner, Education Manager – Learning and Content, Dermalogica UK Comments “Microneedling is a treatment with a strong and well-evidenced track record, but it demands genuine competence from every practitioner who performs it. At Dermalogica, we have always believed that exceptional practice is built on knowledge, skills and a commitment to going beyond the minimum. That is why we have invested in ensuring our own staff hold regulated qualifications at Level 4 and 5, and it is why we partnered with BABTAC to produce this guide. Clear, practical and grounded in real-world experience, it gives every skin care and aesthetics business the foundation they need to deliver microneedling responsibly and to the very highest standard.”
 
BABTAC encourages consumers to shift their focus from asking “Does it hurt?” to more important questions such as “What qualifications do you hold?”
 
Make sure to always book in with a qualified professional, helping to avoid adverse reactions and costly complications in the long run. BABTAC’s T.I.M.E. consumer awareness campaign provides a simple yet effective framework, encouraging you to check Training, Insurance, Monitoring, and Evidence before booking any microneedling treatment.
 
Availability
A downloadable guide will be available from Dermalogica at pro.dermalogica.co.uk and BABTAC at www.babtac.com from 22nd April 2026

If you want to read more, the experts at Consulting Room really know what they're talking about and have put together Microneedling FAQs just for you. 

If you have more questions, you can use the Microneedling questions feature to talk to our panel of trained medical experts. 

If you're keen to get started with any of these treatments immediately, then you're in luck. Those clever folks also have a list of trusted, accredited Microneedling clinics in your area.

About BABTAC
BABTAC is a not-for-profit company and one of the UK’s leading membership organisations and insurance providers set up to raise the level of professionalism in the aesthetics, beauty, hair, and wellbeing industries. The business campaigns tirelessly for the introduction of a suitable form of regulation while currently self-regulating its own members. All with the objective of protecting the public, as well as giving reputable professionals the recognition they deserve. Living by their motto ‘Qualified, Verified, Insured’.

To see more on BABTAC’s qualification pre-requisites, please visit www.babtac.com

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