Practice standard for the management of dermal filler complications

This article is provided as a guide, and it focuses on those practice standards that, when overlooked, can potentially lead to clinical negligence claims. It uses a framework that has been produced by Save Face in partnership with the Aesthetic Complications Expert (ACE) Group. Understanding and following these standards is essential to ensure that known risks are mitigated and that patients who do experience complications are managed and cared for professionally.

To be competent to administer dermal fillers, professionals must ensure that they are able to:

Professionals must also ensure that they are familiar with or understand:

It is acknowledged that the evidence base in aesthetic medicine is lacking, continually shifting and subject to bias. Practitioners should endeavour to explore and review the evidence base critically and, wherever possible, refer to it to defend how their choice of treatments and products is in the patients' best interests, including technique and aftercare advice.

Treatments should be provided in a safe environment with appropriate facilities. Risks, cautions and contraindications should be identified with good, medical, social and psychological history-taking, which should be well documented. The patient must fully understand possible risks and complications, which means the practitioner should be able to clearly explain and answer any questions with reference to the evidence base.