Why Premises Standards Matter in Non-Surgical Aesthetic Treatments

The rise in demand for non-surgical aesthetic treatments such as dermal fillers, botulinum toxin injections, and chemical peels has highlighted the need for clear and enforceable standards—not just for practitioners, but also for the premises where these procedures are carried out. According to the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP), the quality, safety, and cleanliness of the environment play a critical role in protecting patient wellbeing and ensuring treatment outcomes meet professional standards.

Why Premises Standards Are Essential:

• Patient Safety: A clinical environment that meets hygiene and infection prevention standards reduces the risk of complications, including infection and cross-contamination.

• Professional Accountability: Regulated premises support better governance, enabling traceability of treatments, record-keeping, and clear protocols in case of adverse reactions.

• Public Confidence: High-quality, visibly professional settings reinforce trust in the practitioner and the treatment being offered. Patients are more likely to return or recommend services when they feel safe.

• Compliance with Best Practice: Premises that meet national guidelines—such as those outlined by the JCCP and supported by the Care Quality Commission (CQC)—demonstrate commitment to ethical and professional practice.

• Support for Regulation and Reform: As the UK Government prepares to introduce a new licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England, premises standards will become a key component of future legal requirements. Ensuring your clinic meets these standards now is a proactive step toward compliance.

The JCCP encourages all aesthetic professionals to assess their treatment environments and work towards full alignment with its Premises Standards. These standards cover areas such as infection control, waste management, cleanliness, equipment maintenance, and emergency procedures.

The JCCP provides useful guidance on the standards required for premises carrying out non-surgical treatments, including what needs to be in place to create a safe environment. You can find this guidance here and utilise it in your decision making prior to having any procedures.

At a minimum, the premises you visit should include:

· Cleaning protocols

· Risk assessment, risk management, and control measures

· Accident and incident reporting, along with first aid and medical emergency arrangements

· Infection prevention and control measures

· Medicine management and secure storage facilities

· Waste management and disposal policies

· Compliance with Health and Safety Regulations and any local licensing requirements

Clinics also have a duty to comply and adhere with local health and safety regulations to ensure the premises are fit for delivering non-surgical treatments. In the UK, there is existing regulation that oversees clinics

For example, all lasers and intense pulsed light (IPL) must comply with current standards (for example, BS EN 60601-2-22:2013 for medical lasers and BS 60601-2-57:2011 for IPL). They are also regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and, in some instances, the system regulator and local authority. Other existing criteria include: The London Local Authorities Act 1991, standard conditions, National Occupational Standards, Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) (2012) UK quality code for higher education part B: assuring and enhancing academic quality chapter 10: managing higher education provision with others, CQC regulation 15 premises and equipment or an equivalent system regulator in the devolved administrations, MHRA lasers, intense light source systems and LEDs—guidance for safe use in medical, surgical, dental and aesthetic practices (2015).

By following the Premises Standards created by the JCCP, clinics and practitioners can mitigate potential legal risks, avoid fines, and safeguard their reputation. Practitioners who treat clients in spaces that don’t comply with the law risk significant consequences, whether in terms of health and safety concerns or legal action resulting from negligence. 

For more information or to review the full JCCP Premises Standards framework, visit:
https://www.jccp.org.uk/NewsEvent/the-importance-of-premises-standards-in-delivering-non-surgical-aesthetic-treatments