Meeting of the Parliament 17 March 2026 [Draft]
I begin by extending my thanks to the legislation team, which, as always, has been incredibly helpful and responsive throughout stages 2 and 3. A special mention from me must go to Cleft Lip and Palate Action, which worked with me on my amendments at stage 2; I know that the bill is stronger as a result of its involvement. I also thank all the constituents and business owners who shared their thoughts with me. I appreciate that we were often approaching the bill from different viewpoints, but it was incredibly useful for me to hear their position on particular amendments and how they would be affected by them, so that I could make considered judgments.
As others have said, the bill will create a safer environment for everyone who is involved in non-surgical cosmetic procedures. It sets out what is required of businesses and practitioners and what consumers can expect in terms of safety standards. It is a vast improvement on the current situation, in which Scotland is described as the worst country in Europe for unqualified practitioners injecting customers with cosmetic treatments. It will also protect children and young people by introducing a minimum age of 18 for undergoing procedures. That is as vital, given that Advice Direct Scotland recently warned that children as young as 15 were seeking help following botched treatments with Botox and dermal fillers.
As I highlighted in my speech at stage 1 of the bill, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh warned:
“Facial structures continue to develop into early adulthood, and starting these procedures from a young age can have long-term effects. Procedures such as dermal fillers and Botox too young can lead to muscle atrophy and tissue damage and should rightfully only be available to those over the age of 18.”
It is right that the bill will instate a strict age limit, and I am pleased that we have cross-party agreement on that.
Robust discussions have taken place at stages 2 and 3, with differing views on how to get the balance right between protecting consumers and supporting businesses. I have maintained throughout that patient safety must be the overriding concern. I believe that the bill upholds that, and I am glad to see that attempts to weaken it have not passed. There are concerns that regulation could drive rogue practitioners underground, but we cannot use that as an excuse not to act. The bill is proportionate and fair, and I believe that it represents a significant step towards eradicating unsafe practices in the cosmetics industry. However, we must ensure that the next Government engages with those businesses that have provided the procedures with care so that they continue to be supported.
Although the procedures covered by the bill may seem routine or non-invasive, complications can be severe. Last year, the BBC reported that people who have cosmetic filler injections in their face should be warned of the risk of a dangerous complication involving blocked arteries that can lead to skin loss and even blindness due to damaged blood flow. The researcher on the study, Dr Rosa Sigrist, said that, although they are uncommon, such vascular occlusion events, where the filler is injected into or too close to blood vessels, can be “devastating” because they can cause tissue death and facial deformity if they are not treated.
Cosmetic procedures should, therefore, not be undergone lightly, and it is essential that those who perform them have the right skills, experience and—crucially—supervision. Given the dangers that are posed by some cosmetic procedures, we need robust and effective regulation. I believe that the bill delivers that.