The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has issued a stark warning about the serious risks posed by unregulated aesthetic procedures, calling for urgent Government intervention to tackle what it describes as a "Wild West" of untrained, unlicensed, and uninsured practitioners. From fat dissolving injections to Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs) and fillers, vulnerable consumers are increasingly exposed to unsafe practices and products that pose a risk to their health and safety, the organisation says.
Hamilton Fraser has long championed the need for stricter regulation in the aesthetics industry. Our CEO and founder, Eddie Hooker, is a trustee of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP), advocating for public safety, ethical practice, and practitioner accountability and we have consistently supported initiatives promoting licensing, education, and safe treatment environments.
In a release issued on 18 June 2025, CTSI reports that Trading Standards officers have uncovered distressing examples of procedures being carried out in highly unsuitable locations, including:
These makeshift treatment spaces fall outside of normal enforcement structures, making it difficult for authorities to crack down on rogue operators. Even more alarming is the ease with which dangerous and unregulated products including fat dissolving injections and fillers are available online to the public, sometimes for as little as £20.
The risks aren't just cosmetic. In 2024, 33-year-old mother of five Alice Webb tragically died following a reported non-surgical BBL, drawing national attention to the grave consequences of unregulated procedures.
Other issues that have been uncovered by Trading Standards recently include:
“Trading Standards have warned that in most cases the products and services in the aesthetics injectable sector are unregulated”, commented Richard Knight, CTSI Lead Officer for Cosmetics and Beauty. “Because of the big gap between the lack of hard and fast safety rules, and consumer expectations of their protection under the law, we are gathering evidence of harms to the public as part of a joint initiative to urge law-makers to adopt a cross-Government approach to tackling this Wild West situation.”
It is over a decade since the Government was warned about the need for control of the market in aesthetic procedures, but there remains a vacuum which has already put lives at risk.
As part of its annual conference, CTSI is leading a campaign to demand immediate Government action, including:
Kerry Nicol, External Affairs Manager at CTSI, said: “I am genuinely shocked by the scale of potential harm facing the public due to the alarming lack of regulation in the aesthetic industry. Consumers' lives are being put at risk every single day. What’s worse is that many of these unregulated practitioners are preying on people’s vulnerabilities and the pressures they feel around body image, they are taking advantage of those who are often just looking for a boost to their confidence or self-esteem.
“Alarm bells would ring if someone was offering a tattoo in someone’s kitchen or a public toilet at a cheap price - so those are the alarm bells we need ringing for people offering facial injections in these kinds of settings. Action is urgently needed to crack down on the bad players operating in this sector. This isn’t an issue that Trading Standards alone can fix, it's a Government and multi-agency responsibility that requires coordinated activity.
“A logical and immediate first step is the introduction of a national licensing scheme, giving the public a clear indication of who is qualified to carry out these procedures. It’s time the UK takes public safety seriously and weeds out those putting lives at risk.”
The calls by CTSI are being supported by the industry.
Ashton Collins, Director at Save Face, said: “We are delighted to join forces with CTSI on this campaign. Since 2023, we have been campaigning for the government to ban liquid BBLs from the high street and restrict their administration to qualified plastic surgeons. We cautioned that without urgent action, lives would be at risk, and sadly, in 2024, Alice Webb tragically lost her life after undergoing a liquid BBL procedure. Alongside CTSI, we are determined to ensure our call to restrict liquid BBLs is acted upon.
“Additionally, we are focused on reinforcing existing legislation that has long failed to protect patients from unscrupulous practitioners who continue to flaunt the law with impunity. For too long, regulations intended to safeguard patients have been inadequately policed and enforced. Together, we aim to address the illegal importation of unlicensed products, remote prescriptions, and misleading advertising on social media. We strongly believe that by successfully implementing these measures, we can significantly improve industry standards and safeguard the public.”
Cheryl Barton RGN INP PGDip (CosMed), Lead Nurse at Aesthetika Clinic, said: “It is very important that any untoward or adverse effects, events or reactions from taking or receiving any medicines, injections or from treatments using medical devices are reported to MHRA via the Yellow Card Reporting System and Ring NHS 111 and/or seek medical assistance if required.”
At Hamilton Fraser, we’ve continually raised awareness of these issues. From our piece on the future of regulation and licensing featuring Professor David Sines, to our breakdown of overview of regulation in aesthetics, our Content Hub provides guidance and insight to practitioners seeking to raise standards.
Hamilton Fraser fully supports the CTSI’s call for national licensing and comprehensive regulation. As the industry continues to grow, it is essential to protect consumers from harm and make sure practitioners are held to clear, enforceable standards.
Practitioners can start preparing by:
Hamilton Fraser founder and CEO Eddie Hooker commented, “Hamilton Fraser remains committed to leading the charge for a safer, more regulated aesthetic sector. We will continue to work alongside the JCCP and other key stakeholders to make this a reality.”
