How to choose a clinic safely

Any treatment involving prescription medication must be prescribed by a qualified prescriber before it can be administered. Ask specifically who prescribes at the clinic and verify their registration on the GMC, NMC, GDC, or GPhC register. A link to their registration should be readily available on request.

Clinics providing regulated activities must be registered with the Care Quality Commission. Verify at cqc.org.uk. If a clinic offering injectable treatments is not listed, this is a serious red flag. CQC registration is the minimum baseline — not a guarantee of quality.

Any reputable clinic should require a proper face-to-face consultation before any injectable treatment. This is clinical assessment — reviewing your medical history, medications, contraindications, and realistic expectations. Clinics that skip this are prioritising bookings over safety.

Any clinic performing filler treatments must have hyaluronidase on site — the enzyme used to dissolve filler in the event of vascular occlusion. Ask directly. A clinic that cannot answer this question clearly should not be performing these treatments.

The clinic's CQC registration and the practitioner's qualifications are separate things. Ask who will be performing your treatment, what their qualifications are, and how long they have been practising this specific procedure.

Premium aesthetic treatments require premium products, qualified prescribers, and proper clinical infrastructure. Significantly discounted treatment warrants direct scrutiny — ask what is different about their model before assuming it's simply good value.

If your consultation feels rushed, you feel pressured to book on the day, or anything feels off — leave. A good practitioner welcomes questions, manages expectations honestly, and is comfortable telling you when treatment is not appropriate.