New UK Parliament Report Calls for Tighter Safety and Regulation of Cosmetic Procedures

A report by the UK Parliament’s Women and Equalities Committee has raised significant concerns about the safety, regulation, and rising use of cosmetic procedures in the UK — highlighting areas where current oversight may be falling short. The committee’s findings come amid growing public interest in surgical and non-surgical aesthetic treatments and aim to inform policymakers, clinicians, and patients as the sector evolves.

The Women and Equalities Committee is a UK House of Commons select committee that examines the work of the Government Equalities Office and holds government to account on equality law, policy, and cross-departmental action under the Equality Act 2010 and related commitments. It also scrutinises bodies such as the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The committee is composed of a cross-party group of MPs and is currently chaired by Sarah Owen (Labour). Its membership includes MPs from the Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Conservative parties, as well as an Independent member — such as Alex Brewer, David Burton-Sampson, Rosie Duffield, Nia Griffith, Christine Jardine, Kim Leadbeater, Kevin McKenna, Rebecca Paul, Rachel Taylor, and Nadia Whittome — who jointly review evidence and publish reports on issues relating to women’s rights and equalities.

The report, formally titled Cosmetic procedures and published in February 2026, examines both surgical treatments and non-surgical procedures like fillers, laser therapies, and body-contouring treatments. It identifies key issues in how these procedures are regulated, the data available about their safety, and the influences driving demand, particularly among younger people.

Safety Concerns and Calls for Reform

One of the committee’s core conclusions is that demand for cosmetic procedures has surged in recent decades, but regulation has not kept pace with this growth, leading to inconsistent training and significant safety gaps. In many cases, individuals without adequate qualifications are performing high-risk procedures, sometimes in unsafe settings such as homes and unregulated spaces.

Regulatory Gaps and Risky Practices

The report highlights the absence of statutory regulation for non-surgical cosmetic procedures like dermal fillers, laser treatments, and chemical peels, noting that this situation has created a “wild west” environment in which unsafe practices can occur. It calls on the government to introduce licensing systems to ensure that only qualified professionals carry out these procedures and recommends an immediate ban on particularly dangerous ones, such as liquid Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs), which have been linked to fatalities.

A related concern is the impact of cosmetic tourism, where people travel overseas for cheaper treatments, which can burden the NHS when complications arise, even when some countries have stronger safety frameworks than the UK. The committee urged improved public education around these risks.

Implanted Devices and Data Shortcomings

Regarding surgical interventions like breast implants, including concerns dating from the PIP implant scandal, the report acknowledges that for most women, these procedures are safe and can have positive outcomes. However, it also draws attention to long-term complications experienced by a minority, ranging from chronic pain to immune system issues.

The committee noted persistent gaps in research and data, particularly around the long-term safety of certain implants and procedures. It recommends that the Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry, which tracks implants and explants, should be made mandatory and that outcome data should be routinely published to better inform patients and clinicians.

Informed Consent and Cooling-Off Periods

The report also identifies weaknesses in informed consent processes, finding that patients are sometimes inadequately informed about potential risks before surgery. To address this, it suggests introducing a mandatory “cooling-off” period, a set time between consultation and treatment, to ensure people have the capacity to reflect on their choices.

Education and Public Awareness

In addition to regulatory reforms, the committee stressed the importance of greater public education about cosmetic interventions, especially among younger demographics. The report cited evidence that social media and edited images are driving body image concerns, with a significant proportion of young adults expressing willingness to undergo cosmetic procedures in the future. The committee recommends body image and media literacy programmes as part of broader education efforts.

What Happens Next?

The Women and Equalities Committee report does not itself change law, but it provides a blueprint for potential legislative and policy action to improve safety and accountability across the cosmetic procedures sector. Its recommendations aim to protect consumers, ensure higher standards of care, and support better regulation of both surgical and non-surgical treatments in the UK.