The planned crackdown follows a series of incidents where people have had high-risk treatments from people with little or no medical training, leading to dangerous complications, permanent scarring and even death. These new rules will protect people from unqualified, rogue operators and reduce the cost to the NHS of fixing botched procedures. 

The new measures follow growing alarm over unqualified individuals performing invasive treatments in unsafe environments - including homes, hotels and pop-up clinics. Many of these procedures are marketed as non-surgical but, in reality, are invasive and carry serious risks. 

Minister of State for Health, Karin Smyth, said:  "The cosmetics industry has been plagued by a Wild West of dodgy practitioners and procedures. There are countless horror stories of cosmetic cowboys causing serious, catastrophic damage. This government is taking action to protect those seeking treatments, support honest and competent practitioners, and root out the cowboys as part of our Plan for Change. 

"This isn’t about stopping anyone from getting treatments - it’s about preventing rogue operators from exploiting people at the expense of their safety and keeping people safe. We’re giving them peace of mind and reducing the cost to the NHS of fixing botched procedures."

Other lower-risk cosmetic treatments - including Botox, lip fillers and facial dermal fillers - will also come under stricter oversight through a new local authority licensing system. Practitioners will be required to meet rigorous safety, training, and insurance standards before they can legally operate. Once regulations are introduced, practitioners who break the rules on the highest-risk procedures will be subject to CQC enforcement and financial penalties.

The government also plans to bring in restrictions for under 18s on high-risk cosmetic procedures, unless authorised by a healthcare professional. 

Priority will be given to introducing regulations to restrict the highest-risk procedures first - such as fillers injected into breasts and genitals. A public consultation will be published early next year. This will seek views on the range of procedures which should be covered in the new restrictions.

While the measures are being developed, the government urges anyone considering a cosmetic procedure to check their provider’s qualifications and insurance, and to avoid treatments that appear suspiciously cheap. 

Millie Kendall OBE, Chief Executive Officer at the British Beauty Council, said: "The British Beauty Council has worked tirelessly in pushing for increased regulation of the aesthetics sector since its inception. I therefore fully welcome the government’s announcement that it is pushing forward with legislation. Any measures that increase protection for the general public and professionalise the industry will help instil confidence as well as helping to prevent the normalisation of horror stories that have become synonymous with our sector.

"We will work closely with relevant government stakeholders to ensure these measures are implemented in a way that ensures the sustained, and safe, growth of our sector. This is the first step forward in raising the reputation of our £30.4 billion industry."

The new regulations will be subject to public consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny before they are introduced. The government will also work closely with stakeholders to develop further proposals for consultation on introducing the licensing regime for lower-risk procedures to seek views on education, training standards, qualifications, infection control and insurance.

The new measures will also be instrumental in saving the NHS money by reducing the work following failed procedures, helping deliver value for the taxpayer. 

The measures come as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), local authorities and the NHS continue to investigate after a number of people had adverse reactions following cosmetic procedures involving botulinum toxin.