The four ethical principles and their application in aesthetic practice

Having reflected on my own extensive and continuous training over the past two years within the field of aesthetics, it is clear to me that the reason that some practitioners practice with a lack of ethics is the lack of regulations within the field. Prior to entering the aesthetic field, I worked as a Registered General Nurse for over 14 years, and I was continuously governed and regulated by a statutory body. I ensured that I followed the code of conduct and acted in my patients' best interests at all times. I have transferred all of these attributes to my private aesthetic work, which is why I believe that I am an ethical clinician.

Unfortunately, due to the vast variety of practitioners across the UK, some of whom do not have a statutory body to report to, this is difficult to audit. Each individual complaint can only be investigated when a report of concern or complaint is made; this is then often reviewed by non-statutory registers, such as the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) and Save Face.