Beauty salon first in Wales prosecuted over unlawful laser treatments

A beauty salon has become the first in Wales to be prosecuted for providing laser hair removal and tattoo removal treatments unlawfully.

Bridgend-based firm "Fake It - Beauty and Aesthetics" failed to register laser services with Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW).

The owner Lady Helen Mary Morgan-Wooldridge was given a fine and costs totalling £8,950.

Laser treatments can cause sight loss and significant burns if not used safely and HIW has urged people to ensure the services they use are appropriately registered.

HIW has renewed its call for a review of the growing provision of aesthetic services in Wales.

The Welsh government said people should use "qualified and regulated" services.

Morgan-Wooldridge was told by HIW in March 2025 to stop providing laser and "intense pulsed light" or IPL treatments, but the unregistered services continued.

During an unannounced enforcement visit in June 2025, HIW found two laser devices along with records showing 19 treatments had been carried out since she was told to stop.

Scott Howe, head of regulation and escalation at HIW, said the case was made worse because an old, invalid HIW registration certificate was on display at the premises, giving the false impression that it was a registered service.

The inspectorate has issued 10 cautions in the last four years, the majority of which related to the unregistered provision of laser services.

However, this is the first time a provider has been taken to court for laser services, and only the second time any type of unregistered service has been prosecuted.

"The types of lasers that are being used in these services are very powerful," said Howe.

"They're quite often used for tattoo removal and laser hair removal along with some other treatments.

"There is potential for serious harm from these lasers, which is why it's so important that we're able to regulate them and inspect them.

"We have had circumstances where people have suffered severe burns and some sight loss because of the way these lasers have been used inappropriately."

He added that inspectors will also ensure rogue laser machines which don't meet British or European standards, are not being used.

The inspectorate has encouraged people to search its website to see if firms are registered, and report any concerns about those who are not.

During 2025-26 there were 125 laser or IPL services registered with HIW.

"We've got a specialised team who are all accredited detectives and investigators. It's important that people realise that there is a safety issue here," said Howe.

He repeated concerns previously raised by HIW that regulations have not kept pace with an evolving industry.

"The wider regulations are obviously quite old," Howe said. "There's a lot of things that are carried out in the public domain now - by people who aren't necessarily qualified - that weren't happening when these regulations were written in 2011.

"HIW would welcome a review of the legislation and of the regulations - but that's a matter for Welsh government colleagues and the minister."

In England, the government has proposed new restrictions on high-risk cosmetic procedures, and has said it is committed to introducing a licensing scheme for those delivering botulinum toxin products, lip fillers and other lower-risk treatments.

It is a move that has been welcomed by the sector who also want improvements made to help ensure patient safety.

BBC Wales spoke to people in Swansea about the calls for regulation changes, including Cady Carman, 22, who said consumers would benefit from a searchable tool to find out if providers are qualified and regulated.

"There's some horror stories that you hear about where things have gone wrong," she said, adding that she sees examples of that in the opticians where she works.

She also said she had experienced an issue at an eye lash extensions appointment "with the chemicals they used to glue the lashes on".

"Some of it got in my eye. Obviously it's fine now but at the time it was quite red and quite painful," she said.

Mia Thomas, 24 from Merthyr Tydfil, said more regulation was required and the age restrictions should be considered.

"If you put it up to maybe 25 I think girls would have more of an idea at 25 rather than 18. If people knew what they were actually putting into their bodies I think they'd question it a bit more.

"I'm not opposed to anyone getting anything done, if that's what you want, but I think there should more research and more regulations.

"People will see what they see on Instagram and decide to get it done, rather than actually sit down and think about it."

And while she would feel more confident if people providing services were trained nurses, Abby Williams, 23 from Ammanford said she disagreed.

"As long as someone is following the rules and making sure they're getting prescriptions [for botulinum toxin or fillers] from somewhere safe I think anyone should be able to do it."

But she added people need to think carefully about what they're putting in their face.

"I know girls that have had horror stories. I've got a friend who had her lips done and her lip was up to her nose - the next day she had to have them dissolved because she had an awful reaction - it was horrible."

The Welsh government said: "We recommend anyone considering cosmetic procedures consults a suitably qualified and regulated healthcare professional.

"Nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals who prescribe or supply products for cosmetic purposes must do so in accordance with the standards set by their respective professional regulatory bodies.

"A mandatory licensing scheme has been introduced for acupuncture, dry needling, body piercing, electrolysis, tattooing and semi-permanent makeup.

"This will inform any potential future extension to other procedures."

BBC Wales has contacted Lady Helen Mary Morgan-Wooldridge for comment.