
As a relatively new branch of medicine, medical aesthetics has seen exponential growth in recent years. Before any regulations could be established, the demand for aesthetic procedures has grown, resulting in a rise of aesthetic clinics. By 2024, statistics indicate there will be 940 medical aesthetic clinics across the UK [1]. The abundance of options means patients are spoilt for choice but it also presents a challenge. Due to the lack of regulation, patients need to do research to find clinics with highly qualified aesthetic practitioners, a high standard of practice, and a proven track record of quality results.
Medical Qualifications
The first thing I would recommend is to ensure that your aesthetic practitioner is medically qualified. That means they would be a doctor, a dentist or a nurse. Doctors have MBChB or MBBS after their names. You can either check the General Medical Council (GMC) register to check an aesthetic doctor’s medical qualification [2]. Many top aesthetic doctors are also members of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM).
Though many non-medical practitioners have some training and experience, their lack of medical knowledge and education hinders their ability to prevent or manage complications as effectively as medical aesthetic practitioners. This can be due to a lack of deep understanding about the underlying facial anatomy [3] and lacking the right to prescribe the necessary medication to carry out treatment as these are prescription-only medications.
A medical aesthetic practitioner will also adhere to the correct hygiene protocol standards, infection control and rules of dignity, probity and confidentiality as they are accountable to the GMC for any misconduct [2]. This difference can significantly impact the quality of results, and your overall experience.
Aesthetic Qualifications
Once you have verified medical qualifications, the next step is to ensure your practitioner has gained suitable aesthetic qualifications. According to the Department of Health and Social Care, there are negligible restrictions on who can perform non-surgical aesthetic procedures [4].
In Scotland, aesthetic clinics run by medically qualified doctors were brought within the regulation by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) in 2016 but despite that, there are no current regulations that prevent non-medically trained practitioners from providing aesthetic procedures [5]. Essentially, it is legal for anyone to train in aesthetics and carry out these treatments!
In 2022, the Health and Care Act was passed which gave the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care the power to introduce a licensing scheme for aesthetic practitioners who conduct non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England [4].
This ensures a reduced risk of compromised results and a high standard of work [4]. Though the licensing scheme has yet to be announced, there is an Accredited Registers Programme by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) that evaluates organisations that register practitioners such as Save Face and the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) [4]. Medical aesthetic practitioners who have obtained their aesthetic qualifications from programmes and organisations registered with the JCCP would be an optimal choice for consideration.
While this currently applies only to England, there are ongoing discussions regarding what licensing will look like in Scotland.

Experience
Next, consider the aesthetic practitioner’s experience with the specific treatment you are seeking. You can verify this by checking the reviews and testimonials on their website and you can also request a consultation where you can directly ask the aesthetic practitioner about their experience – such as the number of years they have been delivering aesthetic treatments, and how often they do particular procedures. You can even request to see before and after pictures [2].
Consultation
Your consultation experience is crucial in your decision-making process. Pay attention to how thorough the session is and take note of what your aesthetic practitioner discusses with you. They should make you feel comfortable, address your concerns, and prioritise your needs and expectations.
If the doctor doesn’t take the time to discuss these aspects in depth, you may want to reconsider your choice. There should be no obligation to commit to treatment or to have treatment carried out that day.
The aesthetic practitioner should also conduct a thorough medical history, asking about any medical problems and medications you are currently taking and any allergies you may have [10]. They may also discuss your dental history and assess your mental health status [10]. They should then do a thorough facial and skin assessment and discuss your concerns, goals, and expectations [10]. The most crucial element is a comprehensive treatment plan. Your aesthetic practitioner should walk you through it comprehensively, including a detailed explanation of potential risks and complications [10].
Quality & Safety Standards
The last thing you need to pay attention to is the quality and safety standards of the aesthetic clinic. Besides your personal observations and vibe of the clinic, you should also enquire if it is registered with any relevant regulatory bodies such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England and Healthcare Improvement Scotland for Scottish clinics. These are regulatory bodies that ensure aesthetic clinics meet the essential standard of quality and safety by monitoring and inspecting them [11].
Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss your specific needs, concerns and goals. I’d be delighted to welcome you to my clinic on Haddow Street in the heart of Hamilton.

Bibliography
- TPolicyBee. (2024). Aesthetics industry UK statistics 2023. [online] Available at:
https://www.policybee.co.uk/blog/aesthetics-industry-statistics. - British Council of Aesthetic Medicine. (n.d.). What to Look for in a Practitioner. [online] Available at:
https://bcam.ac.uk/patients/treatments/what_to_look_for_in_a_practitioner.aspx. - Dr Bob Khanna Training Institute. (2023). Aesthetic Qualifications as a Medical Practitioner in 2023 – How Do I Know What’s Right for Me? [online] Available at:
https://www.drbobkhanna.com/blog/aesthetic-qualifications-in-2023/. - GOV.UK. (2023). The Licensing of Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures in England. [online] Available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/licensing-of-non-surgical-cosmetic-procedures/the-licensing-of-non-surgical-cosmetic-procedures-in-england. - Gov.scot. (2022). Non-surgical cosmetic procedures regulation: consultation analysis – final report. [online] Available at:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/analysis-consultation-regulation-non-surgical-cosmetic-procedures-final-report/. - Smei Insurance. (2023). How to Be a Successful Aesthetic Practitioner in the UK. [online] Available at:
https://www.smeinsurance.com/knowledge-and-resource-hub/news-and-guides/how-to-be-a-successful-aesthetic-practitioner-in-the-uk.html. - Facethetics Training. (2022). Beauty and Aesthetic Qualifications Explained. [online] Available at:
https://www.facetheticstraining.co.uk/about-us/facethetics-blog/beauty-and-aesthetic-qualifications-explained/. - Harley Academy. (2021). Changes To Who Can Practice Aesthetics In The UK. [online] Available at:
https://www.harleyacademy.com/aesthetic-medicine-articles/changes-to-who-can-practice-aesthetics-in-the-uk/. - Russell, H. (2022). Level 7 Aesthetic Qualifications. [online] Glowday. Available at: https://www.glowday.com/blog/level-7-aesthetic-qualifications.
- Harley Academy. (2022). Perfect Your Aesthetic Patient Consultations. [online] Available at:
https://www.harleyacademy.com/aesthetic-medicine-articles/perfect-your-aesthetic-patient-consultations/. - Harley Academy. (2023). When should your Aesthetics Clinic be CQC Registered? [online] Available at:
https://www.harleyacademy.com/aesthetic-medicine-articles/when-should-your-aesthetics-clinic-be-cqc-registered/. - Kamińska, M. (n.d.). What Are the Requirements for Opening an Aesthetic Clinic in the UK? Everything You Need to Know. [online] Indesk. Available at:
https://www.indesk.site/blog/opening-aesthetic-clinic-uk-requirements