Patient safety in aesthetic practice: the case for standardised consultations

Background: the rapid expansion of the non-surgical cosmetic sector has intensified concerns regarding patient safety, professional accountability, and the lack of standardised consultation practices. While structured models such as the SAGA framework and the Aesthetic Global Ranking Scale [GRS] provide valuable tools for assessing patient suitability and treatment risk, their application within non-surgical aesthetics remains inconsistent and underdeveloped.

Aims: to evaluate current risks to patient safety in practice and propose a standardised consultation framework specifically tailored to non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Methods: a mixed methods approach was employed using an online anonymous questionnaire distributed to practitioners across the non-surgical cosmetic sector. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse relationships between treatment classifications and risk indicators such as contraindications, unrealistic expectations, and mental health considerations.

Results: findings revealed significant associations between treatment types and key patient safety risks, supporting the need for a classification system grounded in clinical realities.

Conclusion: the proposed mandatory consultation framework enhances accountability and provides an evidence-based tool to strengthen patient safety and transparency in non-surgical aesthetics. It offers practical guidance for policymakers, practitioners, and educators.