Babtac’s TIME (training, insurance, monitoring, evidence) initiative was presented in Scottish Parliament this week in a bid to influence decisions around cosmetic procedure regulation.
The Scottish Government is looking to regulate aesthetic procedures with a consultation process currently underway. Proposed legislation will focus predominantly on non-surgical cosmetic options such as dermal fillers, liquid BBL, botulinum toxin, weight loss injections, ablative lasers and other advanced procedures.
Babtac originally launched TIME in London in 2023. To present the initiative in Scotland on Wednesday, March 5, Babtac chief executive Lesley Blair was joined by Skin Rocks Pro founder and industry figure Caroline Hirons, Guinot’s UK managing director Myriam Welsh and Jenny Storey, owner of Scottish salon and training company Urban Retreat and The Academy.
Blair has previously been working with Scottish government groups as a stakeholder of the Cosmetics Informed and Empowered Public Sub-Group.
With the consultation underway now, it is believed that legislation may take effect in Scotland before any comes into force in England (where the movement has been delayed since the change in government).
This means that potentially Scotland will lead the way in the regulation of UK aesthetics, making any changes important as a basis for future legislation across the UK.
Babtac’s TIME initiative offers a regulatory checklist to arm consumers with the questions to ask in order to ensure their treatment provider is qualified and safe to carry out the procedure.
TIME stands for:
- Training – What training and qualifications, including continual professional development (CPD) do you and all your staff have?
- Insurance – Are you insured and 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?
Blair said, “We’re thrilled to take the TIME initiative to Scotland. The lack of regulation in our industry has left consumers vulnerable to unsafe practices, leading to a rise in ‘botched’ beauty treatments in recent years.
She added, “This regulatory checklist is designed to be a straightforward yet powerful tool, helping consumers make informed choices by selecting evidence-based, professional services that are fit for purpose - while minimising any risk.”
Caroline Hirons, industry expert, and founder of Skin Rocks Pro and Beauty Backed Trust added, “The TIME initiative is a crucial step forward for the beauty industry. This campaign not only helps elevate our industry but also empowers consumers to confidently identify trained professionals when selecting their treatments, ensuring safety and higher standards for all.”
Jenny Storey, owner of Urban Retreat and The Academy College, said, “As a strong advocate for industry regulation, I fully support the Babtac TIMT initiative, which provides a crucial framework to help consumers make informed choices when booking beauty treatments.
“By emphasising Training, Insurance, Monitoring, and Evidence, TIME ensures that professionalism, safety, and high standards remain at the forefront of the industry.”
Consumer awareness about the lack of sector regulations and standardisation of qualifications remains low, with a Babtac survey in 2020 finding only 38% of consumers were aware the beauty industry is not regulated and over 90% would not feel comfortable asking to see their therapists’ qualifications.
