Council Pushes for Safer Non-Surgical Treatments

By Ellie MacPhee

Glasgow City Council is set to tackle safety concerns over unlicensed and unregulated non-surgical cosmetic procedures amid growing public safety concerns. Proposed by Bailie Margaret Morgan today, it follows reports of unsafe treatments by unqualified practitioners in unhygienic places in town. The talk is there should be new Scottish Government plans to introduce stricter licensing and safety standards across the cosmetic industry. 

This highlights a rise in complications from botched cosmetic procedures and recalls an incident last year where a woman was hospitalised after a Brazilian butt lift in a Glasgow hotel. It praises the council’s environmental health team for shutting down unsafe operations and urges continued cooperation with the Scottish Government. 

 “People choosing cosmetic treatments deserve to know they are in safe, professional hands,” Bailie Morgan said. 

She said while many practitioners are reputable, the sector remains largely unregulated, allowing unqualified individuals to carry out cosmetic procedures.  

The council backs the Scottish Government’s new Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill, which aims to set consistent national safety and training standards.  

“Regulation will protect both clients and responsible practitioners,” Bailie Morgan added. 

Councillors also recognised the crucial role of local environmental health officers, who have already acted against unsafe practices by issuing prohibition notices to companies operating in unsuitable or unhygienic premises. There is a call for  stronger enforcement powers to prevent similar incidents in the future. 

The council has also agreed to engage further with the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee before its consultation closes on 14 November 2025. 

“This is about ensuring public confidence and setting a clear, trusted quality benchmark for the industry,” Bailie Morgan said.