How to Choose a Safe Aesthetics Practitioner in the UK

Non-surgical aesthetic treatments have never been more popular, or more widely available. You can find them in medical clinics, beauty salons, hotel rooms and, sometimes, people's kitchens. Prices vary hugely, and so do the training and qualifications of the people offering them.

Regulation of non-surgical aesthetics in the UK is still developing, which means that, for now, much of the responsibility for checking who is treating you falls on you. That can feel daunting, especially when every website and Instagram page looks polished.

After more than 30 years in nursing, and 14 in aesthetic medicine, I want to share what I would look for if I were choosing a practitioner for myself or someone I love. None of this is complicated, and asking these questions is never rude. A good practitioner will welcome them.

1. Check their qualifications and registration

Many aesthetic treatments involve injections, medicines or medical devices, and things can occasionally go wrong. A healthcare professional, such as a nurse, doctor or dentist, has the clinical training to assess you properly, recognise complications and act quickly if needed.

Healthcare professionals in the UK must be registered with their regulator, and you can check this online in a couple of minutes:

• Nurses: Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register
• Doctors: General Medical Council (GMC) register
• Dentists: General Dental Council (GDC) register

You can search by name. If a practitioner describes themselves as a nurse or doctor but doesn't appear on the register, that's a serious warning sign.

It's also worth asking about their aesthetics training specifically. A general qualification is a good starting point, but injecting the face safely needs specialist training and experience. Some practitioners also join voluntary registers, such as Save Face or the JCCP, which check standards of training and practice.

2. Make sure any prescription medicine is prescribed properly

Some popular treatments for lines and wrinkles use prescription-only medicines. By law, these can only be prescribed by a qualified prescriber, such as a doctor, dentist, or a nurse or pharmacist with a prescribing qualification.

Professional guidance is clear that the prescriber should assess you in person, face to face, before prescribing a medicine for a cosmetic treatment. They should take your medical history, look at the area being treated and make sure the treatment is right for you.

If your practitioner isn't a prescriber, ask who is prescribing your medicine, and whether you'll meet them. A prescription arranged by phone or video call with someone you never see, or medicine that simply "arrives" without a proper assessment, is not safe practice.

It's also illegal in England to give these cosmetic injectable treatments to anyone under 18.

3. Expect a proper consultation, and time to decide

A good consultation is a conversation, not a sales pitch. Your practitioner should:

• ask about your medical history, medicines, allergies and any previous treatments
• listen to what you'd like to change, and why
• be honest about what's realistic, and tell you if a treatment isn't right for you
• explain the risks, side effects and possible complications in plain language
• give you clear costs, including any follow-up appointments
• ask for your written consent before treatment

Above all, you should never feel rushed. Many good practitioners offer a cooling-off period between your consultation and your treatment, so you can think it over without pressure. If you're being encouraged to have treatment the same day, or to add on extra areas you hadn't asked about, it's fine to say you'd like time to think.

4. Ask what happens if something goes wrong

Every treatment carries some risk, even in the most experienced hands. What matters is that your practitioner can recognise a problem quickly and knows what to do. It's reasonable to ask:

• How would you manage a complication? For hyaluronic acid fillers, for example, a practitioner should have the medicine needed to dissolve filler on site and know how to use it.
• How can I reach you after treatment? You should have a direct way to contact your practitioner if you're worried, not just a general booking line.
• Will I have a follow-up appointment? A review a few weeks after treatment is a sign of good care.

It's also worth checking that your practitioner holds appropriate insurance for the treatments they offer — a professional clinic will be happy to confirm this.

5. Know what's being used

Ask which product or device will be used, and why it's been chosen for you. Reputable practitioners use established, properly approved products from trusted suppliers, and record the product name and batch number in your notes. You're entitled to know what has been injected into your skin.

Treatment should also take place in a clean, clinical setting, with good hygiene and enough space to manage an emergency if one ever arose.

Red flags to watch for

You may want to think twice if:

• prices seem far lower than elsewhere, or there are flash sales, "bring a friend" deals or time-limited offers
• there's no consultation, or it's rushed into a few minutes before treatment
• you can't easily find out who the practitioner is, or check their registration
• treatment is offered at parties, in homes or in non-clinical settings
• a prescription medicine is used without you meeting a prescriber in person
• you're promised guaranteed results, or told a treatment has no risks
• you feel pressured to decide quickly or to add more treatments
• there's no clear way to contact them after treatment

A low price can be tempting, but your face is worth taking time over.

Questions to ask at your consultation

You might find it helpful to take this list with you:

1. What are your qualifications, and are you registered with a professional body?
2. What training do you have in this treatment, and how often do you perform it?
3. If a prescription medicine is involved, who prescribes it, and will I meet them?
4. Which product will you use, and why?
5. What results can I realistically expect, and how long will they last?
6. What are the risks and side effects, and how would you manage a complication?
7. Are you fully insured for this treatment?
8. How can I contact you after treatment, and is a review appointment included?

A final word

Choosing a practitioner is one of the most important decisions you'll make about your treatment, often more important than the treatment itself. Take your time, ask questions, and trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, it's always fine to walk away.

If you'd like to talk through any treatment, or have questions about something you've read, I'm always happy to help. You can book a consultation at my clinic at 10 Harley Street, or message me on WhatsApp on 07974 345 457.

Libbie Wallace, NMC Registered Nurse and Independent Nurse Prescriber, MSc Aesthetic Medicine