Beauty salons urged to join safety standard scheme

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services, said the popularity and availability of treatments had grown but that did not mean they were all safe

Beauty businesses are being encouraged to join a scheme which demonstrates safe standards for customers considering procedures such as Botox, cosmetic fillers or chemical peels.

The voluntary scheme in Wolverhampton, which the council thought would be the first in the country, aims to provide reassurance following concerns around procedures and poor levels of care.

Once registered, environmental health officers will inspect salons and if compliant, they will be given certificates and their details added to an online public register.

Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services, said the popularity and availability of treatments had grown but that did not mean they were all safe.

In August, the government announced plans to introduce a mandatory licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England to crack down on dodgy cosmetic practitioners.

Under the new proposals, only qualified health professionals will be able to carry out risky non-surgical Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs) and clinics will need to meet strict rules to obtain licences to offer fillers and Botox.

In 2023, the City of Wolverhampton Council said it 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 was involved in an investigation by the UK Health Security Agency into a clinic offering "vampire facials".

Ophelia Margiasso, owner of OB Brows, (second left) and Hayley Williams, owner of Haylo Skincare (second from right) are supporting the scheme with councillor Bhupinder Gakhal (centre)

But as the government scheme is not likely to be introduced for a few more years, the council said it was keen to encourage businesses and practitioners to sign up.

Inspections will include infection prevention and control standards, waste management, product safety, pre-consultation concerns, access to prescription medicines, complication management and after care, the council said.

The scheme, which the council said was the first of its kind in the country, will also include protecting children from harm and reviews of practitioner training and competency.

"The popularity of cosmetic treatments has grown substantially in recent years and it has become increasingly easy to access them on the high street," Gakhal said.

"But just because they are available, this does not necessarily mean that they are safe.

"Some of these treatments carry risks such as anaphylactic reactions, infection, injury to nerves and blood vessels, burns, pain and, in some cases, even death."