Beauticians and health businesses across Staffordshire are being reminded about new laws on the use of Botox & filler injections on under 18s.

The new controls safeguard children from the potential health risks of the treatments and Staffordshire County Council's Trading Standards service is working with businesses to ensure they are aware of the new laws.

The rules make it illegal to administer botulinum toxin (commonly known as 'Botox') or a cosmetic filler treatment to a person under 18, unless needed for clinical reasons and approved by a doctor.

The new law affects everybody in England, not just businesses.

If a business or private individual provides or arranges for one of the treatments to be given to someone under 18, they can now be prosecuted and fined.

Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Trading Standards at Staffordshire County Council said: "We know that young people can be particularly vulnerable as they are developing physically and mentally and this new law hopes to provide an additional level of protection.

"Our Trading Standards officers are now working with health and beauty businesses to make sure they are aware of the changes and are complying with the new law.

"Many businesses already choose not to perform these procedures on young people but because the law did not expressly prohibit it, it was possible for a person under the age of 18 to undergo these procedures.

"Under the new law, this is no longer the case."

The new age restriction has been set at 18 years as it aligns with age restrictions in England on other comparable body modifications which carry health risks such as tattooing, sunbed use and teeth whitening.

It is not enough for the practitioner or business to decide that the young person looks to be over 18 – they must take careful steps and check documents to make sure they are certain the person is 18 or over to avoid breaking the law.

The law came into effect on 1 October 2021.