In recent years, the popularity of cosmetic procedures has skyrocketed, and procedures that were once seen as exclusive to celebrities or the wealthy are now accessible to all.
However, this boom has also paved the way for a worrying trend: the rise of unqualified or under-skilled practitioners offering aesthetic treatments.
From Botox to dermal fillers, the market's expansion coupled with relaxed legislation which means that effectively anyone can offer the treatment has created many backstreet practitioners. This highlights the critical need for customers to rigorously check the credentials of their chosen aesthetics practitioners before agreeing to any treatments.
Here we’ll be going over the various qualifications and certifications you should look out for to help ensure you’re getting your treatments performed by someone with the necessary skills and knowledge.
Required Qualifications
In the UK, practitioners carrying out aesthetic procedures must possess a robust set of qualifications and adhere to stringent regulatory standards to ensure patient safety and high-quality outcomes.
These include formal medical training, specific certifications in aesthetic medicine and continuous professional development.
Recognised qualifications, such as those from the General Medical Council for doctors, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for nurses and equivalent bodies for dentists and pharmacists help to establish the practitioner has a suitable medical background.
However, practitioners don’t necessarily have to have a medical background, although they should have undergone specialised training in the specific procedures they offer, signifying their competence and understanding of the associated risks and management of potential complications.
There are many organisations offering training, certificates and accreditation. So be sure to ask your prospective practitioner about their training and any qualifications they may have.
Asking about a practitioner's qualifications and verifying them is not just due diligence—it's a crucial step in safeguarding your health and ensuring you achieve the desired aesthetic outcomes.
Reputable practitioners will be forthcoming with information about their qualifications and experience. They should also provide evidence of their ongoing education in the field, demonstrating a commitment to upholding the highest standards of care.
If the practitioner is not forthcoming with any of this information or you feel they’re not as knowledgeable as they ought to be, don't take any risks and find someone else. Your safety should be your number one priority and there’s no sense in risking it on under-qualified practitioners.
We offer a range of cosmetic services including fillers and microblading so if you’re in search of a qualified and experienced practitioner then get in touch as I’d be more than happy to share my credentials!