Choosing a skin clinic is a bigger decision than the industry sometimes makes it feel. Aesthetic treatments are medical procedures, and the differences between clinics rarely show on Instagram. Here is what to check.
Check exactly who is treating you
"Aesthetic practitioner" is not a protected title in the UK. Ask who will treat you, what their clinical background is, and whether they are registered with a regulator such as the NMC or GMC. A registered healthcare professional is accountable to that regulator for how they practise.
Look for a consultation culture
A good clinic assesses you before it treats you, every time. Be cautious of anywhere that lets you book an injectable procedure online with no consultation first, or that treats the consultation as a formality on the way to a sale.
Ask how prescription medicines are handled
Treatments involving prescription-only medicines legally require a face-to-face consultation with a prescriber. Ask who prescribes, and whether they assess you in person. A vague answer is a warning sign.
Clear pricing and no pressure
Look for clear "from" prices, confirmed at consultation. Time-pressured offers on medical procedures, such as "book today for the discount", are a red flag. The ASA takes them seriously, and so should you.
Ask about complications
A clinic should raise risk without being prompted. Ask what happens if something goes wrong: how quickly you can be seen, what protocols exist, and what emergency medicines are kept on site. A clear, specific answer is a good sign.
Trust the feel of the place
Finally, notice whether you were listened to, and whether anyone told you something you didn't want to hear. A clinic willing to recommend less treatment, or none, is one whose advice you can trust when it does recommend more.
If you would like to see how we answer these questions, our Winchester skin clinic opens at 9A Jewry Street on 8 December 2026, and our Bedhampton clinic near Havant is seeing clients now.