Scottish Cosmetic Interventions Expert Group

Overview

The Scottish Cosmetic Interventions Expert Group (SCIEG) was set up in 2014 to explore the need for introducing regulation to cosmetic procedures. This followed the 2013 Keogh Review which found that little regulation existed.

A public consultation in 2020 showed strong support (98%) for further regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures that pierce or penetrate the skin.

SCIEG was reconvened in 2023 to gather insight into the current non-surgical cosmetics landscape, a critical step to help the government prepare proposals for further regulation.

The group considered relevant areas of work, including:

• classification of procedures based on associated risks and complication management
• age restrictions
• the level of training, qualification and supervision required to perform these procedures safely

This work fed into the consultation on the regulation of non-surgical cosmetics, which in turn led to the passage of the Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Act 2026 and The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Non-surgical Procedures) Order 2026.

The Scottish Government is now focused on the implementation of the legislation.

Members

Members (November 2023 onwards)

• Andy Malyon, Scottish Government and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – Chair
• Lorraine Alcock, Healthcare Quality and Improvement, Scottish Government
• Lesley Blair MBE, British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) and Confederation of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (CIBTAC)
• Sara Davies, Public Health adviser, Scottish Government
• John Elder, British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM)
• Kevin Freeman-Ferguson, Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS)
• Martin Gibb, Glasgow City Council
• Tom Gorman, Glasgow City Council
• Owen Griffiths, Healthcare Quality and Improvement, Scottish Government
• Elaine Hutton, Ayrshire College
• Anne Macleod, South Lanarkshire Council
• Alun Parry, Health Protection, Scottish Government
• Jackie Partridge, Dermal Clinic and British Association of Medical Aesthetic Nurses (BAMAN, formerly British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN))
• Julie Wales, Glasgow Clyde College
• Healthcare Improvement Scotland representative
• Aberdeenshire Council representative (former member)
• Emer Appleton, Scottish Government (former member)
• Annalena Winslow, Scottish Government (former member)

Publications