Who can perform aesthetic procedures in the UK?

If you are interested in training in aesthetics and you want to find out whether you have enough qualifications and educational background to benefit from the program, this article is here to help. Aesthetic medicine industry is a fast-growing and highly competitive field. Therefore, in order to have a successful career in it, one needs to have solid experience, comprehensive knowledge, and skills. But first, Let’s find out who can perform aesthetic procedures in the UK?

Legislation: What does it say?

UK legislation does not prevent non-medical professionals from performing aesthetic procedures, including injectable treatments. However, the medical community or even broader society looks with suspicion on treatments performed by non-medical professionals. Therefore, training in aesthetics will be highly beneficial for doctors, qualified nurses and other practicing medical professionals.

Can qualified beauty therapist get training in aesthetic medicine?

As already mentioned above, UK legislation does not prevent therapists from performing injections and other treatments. Therefore, the answer to this question is ‘yes’, technically. However, according to widely spread opinion in UK’s medical circles, injectables and other aesthetical procedures can only be performed by practicing medical professionals. Of course, there are several training providers that accept beauty therapists in training in aesthetics.

If training providers accept beauty therapists in training, why it is not a good idea to apply?

As stated in article, UK legislation does not prevent beauty therapists from performing aesthetical procedures and there are academies and institutes that provide training for them. Then, why undergoing training in aesthetics is not a highly beneficial investment for beauty therapists? Here is why:  clinics with reputation will only employ medical professionals, including doctors, qualified nurses, and dentists to perform injections and other aesthetic procedures. So, even if you are a highly skilled aesthetician and you have completed practical training courses on injectables, you are unlikely to find employment as an injector.

Why it is not ok for beauty therapists to perform injections?

First of all, Botox and other similar toxins are prescription-only medicine in the UK. So, only a medical professional has a right to give these toxins to a patient. Therefore, beauty therapists can perform injections only under the supervision of a doctor or other medical professional.

 So who should apply for aesthetical training?

Aesthetical training can be an excellent investment for medical professionals. Inquiring extra knowledge and mastering practical skills will help you to find employment in the highly rewarding field of aesthetic medicine. So, who should spend financial resources, energy and time on training?

● Doctors - training can be an excellent way for doctors to generate extra income;

● Qualified Nurses - as a nurse, you have probably received basic knowledge on injections and other procedures, however, training will be beneficial to deepen your expertise and gain more skills;

● Dentists  - After training, your services as a dentist will become more flexible and comprehensive;

● Dermatologists - as you are working with skin deceases and conditions, injections should be familiar for you.