BABTAC Unveils T.I.M.E Initiative at The Scottish Parliament

By BABTAC

BABTAC The British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology regulates the industry and promotes public awareness of the importance of choosing an appropriately qualified, verified and insured therapist.

BABTAC (British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology) unveils T.I.M.E initiative at The Scottish Parliament

With Scotland leading the way in beauty industry regulation, T.I.M.E is an initiative that helps consumers signpost their way to safety.

Did you know that in Scotland and England, anyone can legally perform Botox fillers or laser treatments with zero qualifications?

No training, no safety checks, nothing. A recent survey found that 1 third of Scottish doctors have treated a botched cosmetic procedure, some patients as young as 16. That could all be about to change…

The Scottish Government recently asked the public whether they think procedures should be licensed and regulated. A campaign fighting for safer beauty treatments. T.I.M.E provides the framework necessary to ensure that consumers are aware of what to ask when booking a service with a beauty professional to ensure they hold the correct qualifications, insurance, and training.

What's The Issue?

Currently, lack of legislation in the beauty industry means there is nothing to stop someone with little or no training from establishing themselves as a seemingly professional therapist. The Scottish Government is seeking to regulate certain procedures with a consultation process currently underway. This legislation will focus predominantly on non-surgical cosmetic options such as dermal fillers, liposuction, botulinum toxin, weight loss injections, ablative lasers and other advanced aesthetic treatments.

Although these treatments indeed pose harm to consumer safety when carried out by individuals without fit for purpose qualifications, other treatments that may be deemed ‘low-risk’ also require appropriate training. Worryingly, a huge number of individuals with inadequate or no training carry out beauty treatments in Scotland each year, often with a negative outcome, ranging from clients not getting the results they hoped for through to injury and lasting damage.

BABTAC CEO Lesley Blair MBE has been working with Scottish government groups on the issue as a stakeholder of the Cosmetics Informed and Empowered Public Sub-Group. It is thought that Scottish legislation may take effect before that in England (which is currently delayed due to the change in government). This means that potentially Scotland will lead the way in the regulation of UK aesthetics, making the region an important case study for future industry implementation.

With Scottish beauty so integral to the wider industry, March 2025 sees BABTAC take the
T.I.M.E initiative to the Scottish Parliament.

A consumer safety initiative backed by MSPs, influential bodies and key figures across the industry, to ensure consumers get the best possible experience and better protect themselves. T.I.M.E provides the framework necessary to ensure that consumers are aware of what to be mindful of when booking a service with a beauty professional.

So how can consumers be sure that they’re in safe hands when going for a beauty treatment?

A regulatory checklist to arm people with the questions to ask, T.I.M.E aims to help people know what to be aware of when booking in for treatments and help them to choose evidence-based, professional fit for purpose services, whilst minimising any risk:
· TRAINING – What training and qualifications, including continual professional development (CPD) do you and all your staff have?
· INSURANCE – Are you insured & who by?
· MONITORING – Do you carry out important pre and post appointment processes such as patch tests, consultations & aftercare?
· EVIDENCE – Can you provide certified proof of training, insurance and client testimonials?

With dozens of MSPs in attendance, last night saw the unveiling of the initiative at The Scottish Parliament.

Led by BABTAC CEO Lesley Blair MBE, legendary Caroline Hirons, Founder of Skin Rocks, Managing Director of iconic spa brand, Guinot, Myriam Welsh and owner of award-winning salon, Urban Retreat and The Academy College, Jenny Storey, along with support from Sharon Ashton MSP.

Sharon Dowey, MSP

“With no formal oversight leading to unsafe practise and consumer harm, it’s important for us to have a voice in the conversation around regulation. Bringing the T.I.M.E campaign to Scotland will facilitate and empower people to ask the right questions when going to the salon for a treatment. Consumers are not aware that it’s an unregulated industry, but with beauty a significant contributor to the economy, it’s important that we provide the tools and raise awareness around this important issue.”

Lesley Blair MBE, CEO at BABTAC says,

“Previous statistics have proved that most consumers assume, sometimes incorrectly, that all therapists hold fit for purpose qualifications. Due to the lack of regulations governing both the industry and the standardisation of training not all 'training certificates' are always what they seem. We saw an urgent need to educate the consumer through the T.I.M.E initiative on how to identify professional therapists and services.

What’s equally important is to also shine a light on the many skilled and ethical therapists that are in our industry. We need to empower and support them in promoting their professional and safe services. Often a difficult task against seemingly similar but cheaper options. The rise of ‘TikTok’ 'tutorials' is also proving damaging, with unqualified people promoting themselves as experts on social media, which as well as risking consumer safety, can diminish the price point of treatments.

With the media regularly reporting treatments going wrong, our industry is under scrutiny. It's therefore more important than ever for consumers to be able to identify and support true professionals. While Scottish Government is currently seeking to further regulate non-surgical cosmetic procedures (NSCPs) which we support and advise on, this will not happen overnight. This is why T.I.M.E can also be used as a tool to assist the Government before and during the legislation process.”

Caroline Hirons, industry expert, and founder of Skin Rocks and Beauty Backed Trust says,

“The speed of new treatments being developed makes it even harder to put industry regulation into place and modalities are ones where qualification must be checked. While it’s positive that therapists are upskilling, due to lack of regulation, we have cowboys in the system. Another challenge we’re facing is that trained beauty professionals are now competing with content creators who may be good in front of the camera, but don’t hold appropriate certification.”

Jenny Storey, owner of award-winning salon Urban Retreat and The Academy College says,

“It’s a saturated market right now regarding unregulated training courses so integrity matters. It’s a big challenge as unfortunately people tend to choose speed over quality. If you don’t have the right training you can’t get appropriate insurance so it’s also about protecting yourself long-term. We’re at the forefront of educating spas and salons so we also need to make sure the consumer is educated in what official qualifications look like.”

Myriam Welsh, Managing Director of skincare brand Guinot says,

“As a treatment led brand, education is key for us we absolutely feel aligned with the T.I.M.E initiative. Although it’s a difficult conversation to have, you trust a therapist with personal details about your life so you should be able to trust that they’re in the treatment room. It’s about providing protection and consumers alike.”