From October 1, the Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act will come into force.
The new law means it will be a criminal offence to administer botulinum toxin, or a filler by way of an injection for a cosmetic purpose, to a person under-18 in England. It will also be an offence to make arrangements for, or to book an appointment to provide these treatments to anyone under-18 in England.
The new law applies to everyone in England, not just businesses, including providers of clinical healthcare services and regulated healthcare professionals working in these services; individuals performing the procedures on an informal basis, and commercial providers of cosmetic procedures, for example beauty therapists and mobile aesthetic practitioners.
The law still applies even if the person under-18 does not live in England, or are visiting, and if they have the permission from someone over 18.
Under the new law, the treatments can be approved for use on under-18s by a registered medical practitioner for medical reasons.
Failure to comply with the new law could result in a criminal prosecution and an unlimited fine.
Professor David Sines, chair of the JCCP, commented,
“The JCCP is delighted to support the implementation of the new law. The JCCP has
been campaigning for several years for such a change in the law. This new
legislative change will now service to protect younger people from undue media
incitement, encouraging them access to non-medical related aesthetic treatments
in the form of injectable toxins and dermal fillers.”
