Banning baby Botox: Scotland cracks down on underage cosmetic procedures

Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) have unanimously backed the general principles of a bill restricting non-surgical cosmetic procedures, including Botox and non-surgical Brazilian butt lifts, in the country. The bill was introduced in response to industry and consumer concerns about the safety of young Scots amid the rise in botched procedures.

If enforced, the bill would impose fines of up to £10,000 (US$13,687) for administering treatments to minors or outside permitted premises.

The Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill would ban treatments for minors — unless the treatment is part of a health service — and restricts the procedures to designated locations. The potential applications of the bill could encapsulate dermal fillers or stronger chemical peels, depending on its uptake.

Scotland faces an ongoing crisis with unqualified practitioners administering cosmetic treatments and has been described as the “worst country in Europe” for it by the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses. The bill aims to ensure cosmetic safety by closing the gap between the rapidly developing beauty industry and its lagging legislation.

Current government estimates suggest that up to 1,500 Scottish businesses may be offering non-surgical cosmetic procedures without formal training requirements. Demonstrating the lack of regulatory oversight, children as young as 15 are reported to be seeking corrective help following injection-related injuries. More than one in three Scottish medical professionals report treating patients who had received botched cosmetic procedures.

“We have had deaths from the cosmetics sector, and people are being maimed — people are being butchered, to be honest with you. It’s so important for patient safety that we get this right,” says Jackie Partridge, a qualified nurse prescriber who has been working with the Scottish Government on the bill.

If enacted, the bill would limit the locations that would permit non-cosmetic procedures to NHS general practitioners’ clinics, dentists, and pharmacies. They could also be delivered in some private hospitals and clinics, subject to certain conditions, such as being registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland and having a qualified overseeing practitioner present.

Crackdown conundrums

Scottish authorities are responding to rising reports of botched procedures.

The heavy crackdown on cosmetic procedures has sparked debate among MSPs. While Conservative MSP Sandesh Gulhane backed the bill, stressing the need for legislation to adapt to the changing cosmetic landscape, Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton warned of potential “unintended consequences” if the bill is not amended.

Labor MSP Carol Mochan underlined the bill’s benefits for patient safety, while Tory MSP Maurice Golden raised concerns for as many as 1,800 female-owned businesses — a number that Public Health Minister Jenni Minto did not recognize. The Tory MSP also stated that the bill would isolate highly skilled practitioners who are not medical professionals. 

Cole-Hamilton also stressed that the regulations may push practitioners underground, warning that “skilled and experienced practitioners could be regulated out of their profession altogether.”

Botulism Britannia

Lawmakers unanimously backed measures to protect minors from cosmetic risks.

The administration of unlicensed Botox-adjacent products can cause botulism-like symptoms, posing serious health risks for those who use them. The UK Health Security Agency issued a public health warning following adverse reactions to unlicensed Botox in England, as 38 cases of man-made botulism were reported to have stemmed from cosmetic injections last summer.

The cases followed England’s ban on remote cosmetic injections to regulate their use and increase safety. As Botox injections have been illegal for those under 18 in England since October 2021, this move aimed to quell underage use as well as reduce the administration of the injection by non-medical professionals.

The MSP vote to ban the underage use of cosmetic injections comes as a regional move.

Previously, England had warned that their legislation to decrease underage injectable use was circumventable, as minors could still travel to neighboring countries like Scotland and Wales to receive the treatment.

The new bill was first introduced to the Scottish Parliament in October 2025 and is currently at stage two of the parliamentary process. It still needs to pass two more stages before becoming an act within the Scottish rule of law.