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Treatment guide

Chemical peels and microneedling: the UK rules and what to ask

Chemical peels and microneedling resurface the skin to trigger repair. Both fall inside England's proposed cosmetic-procedure licensing scheme, in the green (lowest-risk) tier — which means that when the scheme starts, any licensed practitioner meeting the agreed standards will be able to perform them. Today, no licence is required at all.

Last reviewed · How we research and check this

Green tier

Is it regulated?

No licence is required to perform this in England today. In scope of the licensing scheme and placed in the green tier — the lowest-risk band. When the scheme starts, any licensed practitioner meeting the agreed standards will be able to carry it out.

Peels and microneedling were named specifically as green-tier examples in the Government's August 2025 consultation response. Green is the lowest of the three risk bands — it still means a licence, standards and premises requirements once the scheme is in force. Depth matters: a superficial peel and a medium-depth peel are very different procedures with different risk.

Basis: Section 180, Health and Care Act 2022 and the Government's consultation response of 7 August 2025, tracked in House of Commons Library briefing CBP-10331.

What the practitioner should hold

Insurers typically look for Level 4 for microneedling and medium-depth peels, on top of a Level 3 beauty therapy foundation, plus training on the specific device or peel system.

Insurance

Check the policy names the specific device or peel range. Generic 'beauty therapy' cover often excludes needling depth beyond a stated limit.

What it costs

Guide price: we do not yet have enough member listings to publish a reliable range for skin treatments. We publish this figure only when there is real data behind it.

Questions to ask before you book

  1. What depth are you working at, and why that depth for my skin?
  2. Which peel system or device is it, and what training do you hold on it?
  3. How long is the downtime, realistically?
  4. What happens if I react badly — what is the aftercare route?
  5. How many sessions will I actually need, and what does the course cost?

Red flags

  • No patch test before an acid treatment
  • No consultation about medication, pregnancy or recent sun exposure
  • Promises of permanent results from a single session
  • Needling depth or peel strength that is not disclosed
  • Reused single-use needle cartridges — always check the seal is opened in front of you

Common questions

Is microneedling regulated in the UK?

Not yet. Microneedling is named in the green tier of the licensing scheme agreed for England in August 2025, but that scheme is not in force, so no licence is required today. Any adult can legally perform it. Checking qualification, insurance and device training is the only safeguard currently available to you.

How deep should microneedling go?

It depends on the area and the concern, and it is the practitioner's judgement to make and explain. What matters for your safety is that they can tell you the depth, why they chose it, and that they open a sealed single-use cartridge in front of you.

Can I have a peel if I am on prescription skincare?

Tell the practitioner exactly what you use. Retinoids, some acne medication and recent isotretinoin all change how skin responds to acid, and a competent practitioner will either adjust the treatment or decline it. If nobody asks, that is a red flag.

How soon can I wear makeup afterwards?

Usually 24 hours after microneedling and after most peels, but follow the specific advice you are given — it varies with depth. A practitioner who gives no aftercare instruction has skipped part of the treatment.

Members offering skin treatments

By area

Where members currently offer skin treatments, with the local guide prices.

Related guides

Aesthetics Facials LED light therapy

Sources

  1. Section 180, Health and Care Act 2022
  2. House of Commons Library briefing CBP-10331