What New Regulations Mean for Aesthetic Nursing

The UK Government is introducing a set of new rules aimed at raising safety standards in the aesthetics industry. These changes will directly impact aesthetic nurses — not to restrict practice, but to ensure that treatments are delivered in safe, regulated environments by properly trained professionals.

At ConsultingRoom.com, our Safety in Aesthetics campaign has always championed these principles, helping the public identify safe, qualified providers and supporting professionals who uphold the highest standards of care.

Licensing for High-Risk Treatments

A new licensing system will require that high-risk treatments — such as non-surgical Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs), Botox, and dermal fillers — are performed only by qualified healthcare professionals, in CQC-registered premises.

This will also mean:

• Mandatory training and insurance checks for practitioners

• Strict hygiene standards

• Age restrictions, with under-18s needing explicit clinical approval for certain procedures

End of Remote Prescribing for Cosmetics

From 1 June 2025, nursing and midwifery prescribers will be required to conduct in-person consultations before prescribing cosmetic medicines. This includes anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers, and aesthetic emergency kits.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council explained:

“Face-to-face consultations support the mitigation of these risks … and adopting this position will better align the NMC with other health and care regulators.”

Why This Matters for Aesthetic Nurses

Health Minister Karin Smyth summed up the purpose of these changes:

“This Government is taking action to protect those seeking treatments… This isn’t about stopping anyone from getting treatments – it’s about preventing rogue operators from exploiting people at the expense of their safety.”

For aesthetic nurses, this is an opportunity to:

• Showcase your qualifications and clinical credibility

• Build patient trust by working within a robust regulatory framework

• Differentiate yourself from unregulated, unsafe practitioners

These regulatory updates mark a turning point, steering aesthetic nursing toward greater professionalism and patient safety. As the landscape evolves, early adaptation — through rigorous training, facility preparedness, and clinical transparency — will help practitioners maintain credibility and deliver safe, ethical care.

Supporting You — and Informing the Public

Through our Safety in Aesthetics campaign, ConsultingRoom.com is helping the public understand the importance of choosing trained, licensed practitioners in safe, regulated settings.

For nurses, we offer resources, updates, and a trusted platform to demonstrate your compliance and expertise, so you can focus on delivering ethical, patient-centred care.

Learn more about the campaign here: https://www.consultingroom.com/safety-in-aesthetics