Voluntary Registers No Longer Have Gravitas

The editorial from the Journal of Aesthetic Nursing discussed the mixed reactions to the launch of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) and the concerns raised by aesthetic doctors, dentists, and nurses regarding the inclusion of beauticians on the same voluntary register. The JCCP aimed to oversee patient safety and public protection within the UK's non-surgical cosmetic sector, but the voluntary nature of the register and the inclusion of non-medically trained professionals led to a backlash. The editorial highlighted recent failures of other cosmetic voluntary registers and the formation of a group advocating for a mandatory register with legislation. The consensus among professionals was that voluntary registers lack the necessary authority to ensure public safety, as evidenced by the organized campaign and media appearances by the newly formed British Association of Aesthetic Nurses Doctors and Dentists. The editorial concluded that voluntary registers cannot provide the same level of public protection as those with legislative support.