GREENOCK and Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan has welcomed plans to consult the public on proposed regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

Healthcare professionals who currently provide treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers in Scotland are regulated by professional bodies.

However, those with no healthcare qualifications are not accountable to any authority, and do not have to undergo training.

Mr McMillan has campaigned for all providers of these treatments to be regulated, and for the minimum age of those able to receive these treatments to be raised to 18.

 The SNP MSP said: “I am pleased to see the Scottish Government take this important step towards ensuring these increasingly popular treatments are as safe as possible.

“This consultation will help to ensure that any regulation is as effective and comprehensive as possible, as patients rightly expect it to be.

“It is widely acknowledged that the status quo cannot continue, and I am very pleased to see the Scottish Government heed my calls to standardise and improve the regulation of this fast-growing sector.

“I look forward to playing my part in ensuring any new regulations are as effective as possible and I encourage members of the publicly to do the same through this consultation."