Non-surgical cosmetic treatments

About non-surgical cosmetic treatments

Non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as lip fillers, dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections are growing in popularity.

Any treatment which involves the injection of a substance, insertion of needles into the skin, or the placing of threads under the skin has the potential to cause serious injury or harm. This type of treatment or procedure should only be carried out by trained and qualified practitioners in an appropriate environment.

Regulation of non-surgical cosmetic treatments in Northern Ireland

There is currently no legal requirement for businesses or practitioners offering non-surgical cosmetic procedures to be registered or licensed by councils. In the absence of a licensing scheme, if you are considering having a non-surgical cosmetic treatment we strongly advise you to follow the 'how to stay safe' guidance on this page.

How to stay safe

If you are thinking of having a cosmetic treatment, you should always:

• check the practitioner is registered with a regulatory body like the General Medical Council Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Dental Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, or on an accredited register such as Save Face;
• ask to see qualification and training certificates as well as insurance;
• confirm products and equipment are licensed and genuine;
• ask how the practitioner will treat complications and provide an emergency response if needed;
• take the necessary time to consider and make your decisions; and
• read any documents you are asked to sign and ask questions if you don’t understand.

You should never:

• feel pressurised into having a treatment by your friends or social media;
• be hurried into the treatment - ask for information in writing to take away and consider;
• go ahead with a treatment if you do not feel comfortable with the practitioner or the environment; or
• have treatment in your home, at parties or in environments that are not clean or appropriate.

Save Face (an accreditation body for practitioners) provides a Be Safe Checklist on its website which covers what to consider, expect, ask and check. Go to Save Face (link opens in new window)

For more information, email [email protected].