Fifty-one cosmetic and aesthetic businesses and practitioners have been approved for the voluntary Cosmetic Compliance Scheme which was launched by the council’s environmental health team in November.

The scheme, believed to be the first of its kind in the country, was introduced following growing local and national concerns around high-risk procedures in the beauty industry and poor levels of care.

It aims to improve standards and provide reassurance to customers who are considering procedures such as Botox, cosmetic fillers, skin boosters or chemical peels.

So far, 28 individual practitioners and 23 businesses have been inspected and approved. Businesses who are keen to sign up are being supported by environmental health officers to make sure their standards are high enough to achieve compliance.

On signing up, businesses and practitioners undergo inspections by the council’s environmental health officers. If found compliant, they are issued with stickers and certificates to display. Their details are also included on an online public register for customers to check.

Inspections cover a range of key topics including infection prevention and control standards, waste management, product safety, pre-consultation concerns, access to prescription medicines, complication management and after care. The scheme also includes protecting children from harm and reviews of practitioner training and competency.

More and more people are choosing to undergo aesthetic treatments, and in August last year the Government confirmed plans to introduce a mandatory licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England.

The plans follow a 2023 national public consultation that attracted nearly 12,000 responses, with strong public backing for increased regulation of the sector. 

However, the scheme is not likely to be introduced for a few more years and, in the meantime, the council is keen to encourage local businesses and practitioners to sign up to its voluntary scheme.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “It’s wonderful to see such interest in the voluntary compliance scheme from our local businesses and practitioners. It reflects the care shown for the safety and reassurance of their customers.

“Aesthetic treatments are gaining hugely in popularity and although very many of them are now available on the high street, that does not mean they are safe. Some procedures carry risks such as anaphylactic reactions, infection, injury to nerves and blood vessels, burns, pain and, in some cases, even death.

“The safety of residents is of paramount importance to us, and I would like to thank all businesses and practitioners who have already signed up and encourage as many others as possible to join us.”

Amy-Jo Adams, aesthetic nurse injector, and Leanne Brand, aesthetic nurse prescriber and injector, both owners of Pillars Medical Aesthetics in Ashmore Park, said: “We were thrilled to be asked to be one of the first members of the Cosmetic Compliance Scheme.

“Joining the scheme was a straightforward process with clear guidance throughout. Our site visit felt supportive rather than intimidating. As a nurse-led clinic, we already prioritise safety and governance, so it was reassuring to see that we were already up to the compliance scheme standard.

“We think the scheme is a really important step forward for the aesthetics industry. It brings a level of accountability that has been needed for a long time. For clinics that are already working to high standards, it helps illustrate their safe, ethical practice and sets us apart from the unregulated side of the industry. 

“Ultimately, this is exactly the direction the industry needs to be moving in. Having a framework like this not only improves patient safety now but also prepares clinics for future, much needed, national licensing. It raises standards and ultimately protects the public, which should always be the priority.”

Businesses who would like to find out more about the scheme can visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/cosmetic-compliance-scheme or email environmentalhealth@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Residents who have concerns about a business can also contact the team via the same email address.

City of Wolverhampton Council has been working hard over the past few years to ensure businesses offering non-surgical cosmetic treatments are safe for residents to use.

In 2023, the council was the first local authority in England to serve a prohibition notice on a city business offering non-surgical Brazilian Butt Lifts. Earlier this year, it supported the UK Health Security Agency with investigations into a local clinic offering ‘vampire facials’.

Environmental health officers have also undertaken investigations into unlicenced Vitamin B and Botox treatments and issue regular updates via the council’s social media channels on what to look out for when considering an aesthetic treatment.