In a UK first, the City of Wolverhampton Council has launched a pioneering initiative designed to improve safety for popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures like Botox and fillers.
A Proactive Move for Public Safety
The new voluntary Cosmetic Compliance Scheme responds to growing concerns about the rise in people seeking treatments that can cause significant harm if performed incorrectly. With the government's own mandatory licensing scheme for such procedures not expected for several years, Wolverhampton is taking immediate, proactive steps.
Council officials are strongly encouraging all local businesses and individual practitioners offering treatments such as cosmetic fillers, skin boosters, and chemical peels to sign up. The goal is to raise industry standards and provide much-needed reassurance to customers considering these interventions.
How the New Scheme Will Work
Once a business registers, environmental health officers will conduct a thorough inspection against a strict set of criteria. This inspection will cover a wide range of critical areas, including:
- Infection prevention and control standards
- Waste management and product safety
- Pre-treatment consultation processes
- Access to prescription medicines
- Management of complications and aftercare provision
The scheme also specifically includes measures for protecting children from harm and will review the training and competency of practitioners.
Clinics and practitioners that meet the required standards will be issued with certificates and stickers to display, signalling their compliance to the public. Details of approved businesses will also be listed on an online public register, allowing potential customers to verify a provider's status easily.
A Track Record of Enforcement
This initiative builds on the council's established work in this area. A council spokesperson highlighted that Wolverhampton was the first local authority in England to serve a prohibition notice on a business offering non-surgical Brazilian Butt Lifts in 2023.
More recently, the council supported the UK Health Security Agency with investigations into a local clinic offering 'vampire facials'. Their environmental health team has also probed unlicensed Vitamin B and Botox treatments.
Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, Cabinet Member for Resident Services, emphasised the urgency: "The popularity of cosmetic treatments has grown substantially... But just because they are available, this does not necessarily mean that they are safe."
He outlined the serious risks, which can include anaphylactic reactions, infection, nerve injury, burns, and in some cases, even death. "Too often they are being carried out by salons and practitioners who do not have the right levels of qualification or experience," he added.
Businesses interested in joining the scheme or learning more are advised to contact the council's environmental health team via email at environmentalhealth@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
