As a patient seeking aesthetic treatment, you should always feel comfortable expressing if you do not wish to go ahead. Whether it’s the first time you are having an aesthetic procedure, with a new practitioner, or even if both the treatment and practitioner are familiar to you, it is vital that you feel able to say ‘no’. However, this can be a difficult conversation to navigate. This article’s aim is to inform you on what safe and high-quality medical aesthetic practice looks like so that if care does not meet these standards, you feel empowered to communicate that you are unhappy or unsure, regardless of how far along you are in your patient journey.

 

First, let’s establish what the correct care looks like from medical aesthetic practitioners:

 

1. They give you time in the clinic.

It is important that practitioners provide you with plenty of time for reflection and consideration throughout your patient journey. This should begin with a consultation which lasts for at least 45 minutes to allow enough time for the practitioner to fully understand your medical history, concerns, and expectations, and to explore all the treatment avenues that may be of interest to you. Furthermore, you should be offered a cooling-off period between your initial consultation and proceeding for treatment. You should never feel rushed into treatment on the day, but instead be allowed to go home and think until you are certain.

 

2. They have in-house support or a referral network.

Practitioners should be honest about the limits of what they offer and what their treatments can achieve. Whether their set up means they have colleagues working alongside them in the same location, or whether they have specialists situated elsewhere to recommend, practitioners should not monopolise the patient’s custom where it is not in their best interest. Some examples of experts they may refer to include dieticians, dermatologists, women’s health experts, plastic surgeons, and mental health professionals.

 

3. They are in it for the journey.

Practitioners should view their patients as they are – nuanced individuals with ever evolving needs and wants. At no point should a practitioner make their patient feel as if they are simply a customer. Instead, practitioners should be happy to take time to review and reevaluate their patients’ treatment plans, always adjusting to treat what is clinically indicated in that precise moment in time and never chasing a line. You deserve multi-faceted, bespoke care from a practitioner who genuinely cares for your wellbeing and is available to receive advice from.

 

On the other hand, there are some clear red flags which may indicate that a practitioner may not be right for you. Clinics that keep you waiting and have little time for questions or discussion in appointments, that offer no support outside the clinic, are not demonstrating a vested interest in their patients’ overall wellbeing. For the same reason, be wary of anyone who does not take a thorough history of your mental and physical health. Another red flag could be feeling as though you are being sold to; a practitioner should be able to provide clear reasoning and evidence for every treatment they might suggest that links to your specific needs and clinical indications.

 

Should you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of noticing some of the behaviours above, no matter how much you may wish for a certain aesthetic treatment or outcome, it is vital to speak up. Safety and satisfaction go hand in hand – this is true both physically and emotionally. Outlined below are some conversation starters to help you navigate towards a resolution, whatever that may look like. Remember, it is always okay to ask for extra time to decide – the right practitioner will understand.

 

1. When You Are Not Sure About the Treatment

It is paramount that before going ahead with a treatment, you are entirely happy not only with the expected results but also with how it works. You should feel well-educated on the treatment’s function and capability; if this is not the case, always ask your practitioner for clarification to ensure it is right for you.

• I appreciate that this is a treatment you believe in, but I am not certain it addresses my specific concerns. Please could you explain how it would help?
• I want to be sure I am setting my expectations for this treatment correctly before going ahead – do you have some before and after pictures I could see?
• Sometimes pain is a worry for me. What would you compare the sensation of this treatment to? Would it be possible and appropriate for me to have numbing cream?

 

2. When You Are Not Sure About the Practitioner

While it can feel awkward to question a practitioner, it is so incredibly important that you trust your practitioner beyond doubt before you put your face in their hands. Whether you feel you need some more information about them or are already certain they are not the right person, it is a conversation that needs to be had.

• I would love to hear what your other patients’ experiences have been – where would I be able to find reviews that they have left for you?
• Would you please be able to share the qualifications and accreditations both for yourself and the clinic with me? It would also be great to know what organisations in the industry you work alongside.
• I really appreciate the time you have given me, but I don’t feel it is best for me to go ahead with treatment. I hope you can understand my decision; thank you for the support you have shown me in my time as a patient.

 

3. When It Is Not the Right Time

Sometimes you can be happy that the proposed treatment is right for you and completely trust your practitioner, but there are many externals factors that can mean it is not the right time for you to go ahead. In this situation, it is always best that you are honest with your practitioner, though you don’t have to go into details, and that you give your practitioner as much notice as the situation allows.

• I really appreciate the time you have taken to explain this treatment to me, and I would like to go ahead, but unfortunately due to some unexpected personal circumstances I don’t feel it would be in my best interest to continue at this point.
• I have just had this change in my medical history / had another medical or dental treatment recently – please let me know if it is still currently safe to proceed. If not, is there a possibility of rebooking for the future and, if so, how long would you advise waiting?

 

With all of this in mind, hopefully you feel more equipped to go forth and navigate the world of aesthetics to ensure that you are seeing a practitioner with your best interests in mind, treating in a way which aligns directly with your individual needs. The idea of trying to find the right person can be overwhelming, but a great place to start is the JCCP register which can help locate practitioners near to you who have made a steadfast commitment to putting patient safety first, always.

 

https://www.jccp.org.uk/MemberSearch

 

Should you need to raise a concern about a practitioner, the JCCP have also created some Easy-to-read public guidance on the process. Please remember, you are not alone; the JCCP are always happy to provide support to members of the public navigating the world of non-surgical cosmetic procedures and hair restoration surgery.

 

Article by Julie Scott

Julie Scott is an NMC registered Independent Nurse Prescriber and Level 7 qualified aesthetic injector with over 30 years’ experience. Her clinic, Facial Aesthetics, won Best Clinic of the Year for South England in 2023, while Julie won Nurse of the Year at the Aesthetic Awards in 2022 and 2024. Additionally, she was awarded Nurse of the Year by Aesthetic Medicine in 2024.

 

Julie is a member of the Allergan Medical Institute’s faculty, as well as a consultant for Allergan Medical Affairs and a lead clinical injectables trainer for Interface Aesthetics. An advocate for safety and patient-centred care, Julie is an Ambassador for the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) and an Ambassador and Mental Health Advisor for Safety in Aesthetics. Furthermore, Julie is a board member for the Dermatology Aesthetic Nurses Association Ireland (DANAI), a Special Advisor for the Menopause Network, and a KOL for other leading aesthetic brands.