By Hannah Dodds, Founder of Self Medical Aesthetics.
The world of aesthetics is evolving. For too long, it’s been seen through a lens of vanity, filters, and unrealistic trends. But a quiet shift is happening; patients now seek integrity, professionalism, and trust, and for me, that’s where the true value of aesthetic medicine lies
Unfortunately, this transformation is taking place in a climate of unregulated practice and inconsistent education. With few legal safeguards around who can deliver aesthetic treatments in the UK, patients are often left vulnerable, unsure who to trust or where to turn.
According to Save Face’s 2025 Non-Surgical Complaints and Complications Report, thousands of patients continue to experience adverse outcomes each year, with the majority linked to unregistered, non-medical providers. This highlights the urgent need for stronger standards, better education, and accountability across the industry.
At Self Medical Aesthetics, we believe aesthetic medicine should never be about perfection. It’s about confidence, education, and empowerment. My professional journey began in the NHS over a decade ago as a Registered Nurse at Sunderland Royal Hospital, later progressing to a Public Health Specialist Nurse in the community, where patient safety and safeguarding were at the heart of every decision. That ethos now forms the foundation of everything we do in clinic. Our ethos is simple: we put patients first.
An ethical approach to aesthetics starts long before the treatment room. It’s about honest consultation, realistic outcomes, and transparency. Every patient deserves to be fully informed, respected, and given space to make decisions without pressure or judgment.
Whether it’s anti-wrinkle injections, skin boosters, or regenerative treatments, my aim is not to enhance beauty, it’s to build confidence and guide patients toward treatments that are medically suitable for their individual needs.
In recent years, we’ve seen a welcome shift in attitudes. Patients are more discerning, practitioners are becoming more accountable, and conversations around safety are louder than ever. In 2025, the UK Government reaffirmed its plans to introduce a national licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures, aimed at improving patient safety and ensuring only appropriately qualified practitioners perform higher-risk treatments (Aesthetics Journal, 2025; GOV.UK, 2025). While consultation and legislation are still ongoing, it’s clear that regulation is no longer optional, it’s essential.
As practitioners, we must balance innovation with responsibility. The rise of regenerative treatments and advanced skin therapies offers exciting opportunities, but clinical evidence and patient safety must remain our foundation. Progress is only meaningful when it’s grounded in ethics. Running a clinic in this environment also means leading by example, showing that medical aesthetics can be compassionate, professional, and empowering.
Sadly, the lack of regulation and the ease of access to low-quality training courses have created a space where unqualified individuals can legally perform medical procedures.
This not only confuses patients but also challenges ethical practitioners to uphold higher standards in an increasingly unregulated environment.
At Self Medical Aesthetics, we choose the opposite: to educate, to protect, and to raise the bar. We refer when needed, we prioritise safety over sales, and we hold our integrity, even when it means saying “no.”
Over the coming months, this column will explore the evolving world of aesthetic medicine, from ethics and education to innovation, entrepreneurship, and patient wellbeing. My aim is to open conversations that inspire confidence, deepen understanding, and highlight the professionalism behind safe, evidence-based practice.
www.selfmedicalaesthetics.com