The 12 questions to ask before any aesthetic treatment

A good consultation is an interview, and you are the one doing the hiring. The NHS advises always having a consultation with the person who will perform your procedure before making a decision, and asking about their training, experience, insurance and how complications are handled. Here are the twelve questions that cover it, and just as importantly, what the answers should sound like.

About them

1. “What is your professional background and registration?” You want a specific, checkable answer: a GMC, NMC, GDC or GPhC number you can verify online, or a clear account of their qualifications. Vagueness here ends the conversation.

2. “How long have you been performing this specific treatment, and how often do you do it?” Experience with the exact treatment matters more than years in the industry generally.

3. “Do you have medical indemnity insurance for this treatment?” The only acceptable answer is yes, with evidence available.

About the treatment

4. “Why this treatment for me, rather than the alternatives?” A professional explains their reasoning against other options, including cheaper and slower ones. A salesperson explains why you should book today.

5. “What product or device will you use, and why that one?” Specific brands, specific reasons. For injectables, ask where the product is sourced. Unlicensed or grey market products are behind some of the industry's worst safety incidents.

6. “What results can I realistically expect, and when?” Beware perfection promises. Honest answers include ranges, timelines and the possibility of needing further sessions.

7. “What are the risks and side effects, including the rare ones?” Every real treatment has them. The NHS specifically advises asking about the most common complications of the procedure. A practitioner who says “none, really” is either inexperienced or untruthful, and both are disqualifying.

About safety

8. “What happens if something goes wrong?” Listen for complication training, emergency protocols, and for fillers, whether they stock the dissolving enzyme on site.

9. “Am I actually a good candidate, and would you ever say no?” The best practitioners decline patients regularly. Ask when they last turned someone away. The answer is revealing.

About money and afterwards

10. “What is the total cost, including follow ups, top ups and aftercare?” Get the full number, not the headline number.

11. “What aftercare will I need, and who do I contact if I am worried?” You want a named route to the practitioner themselves, not a generic inbox.

12. “What happens if I do nothing?” Our signature question. Doing nothing is always an option, and a practitioner who respects that is a practitioner who respects you.

One final note: you are allowed to leave a consultation without booking. In fact, for anything significant, we recommend it as the default. Go home, sit with the information, and decide in your own time. A professional will welcome that. Anyone who does not has told you everything you need to know.

These are cosmetic insights only, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before any treatment.