Key points

If you offer cosmetic interventions, you must:

• seek your patient’s consent to the procedure yourself rather than delegate
• make sure patients are given enough time and information before they decide whether to have an intervention
• consider your patients’ psychological needs and whether referral to another experienced professional colleague is appropriate
• recognise and work within the limits of your competence, seeking advice when necessary
• make sure patients have the information they want or need, including written information that supports continuity of care and includes relevant information about the medicines or devices used
• take particular care when considering requests for interventions on children and young people
• market your services responsibly, without making unjustifiable claims about interventions, trivialising the risks involved, or using promotional tactics that might encourage people to make ill-considered decisions.

As with all medical professionals in all fields of medicine, you must also:

• work in partnership with patients, treating them with respect and dignity
• keep patients safe, work to improve safety and report safety concerns
• work effectively with colleagues
• keep up to date with and follow relevant law and guidance
• be open and honest about your skills, experience, fees and conflicts of interests.