FAQ: Can Beauty Therapists do Dermal Fillers?

One of the most commonly asked questions at SkinViva Training Academy is whether beauticians or beauty therapists can do dermal or lip filler treatments in the UK. 

In principle, there is nothing to stop any person carrying out filler injections. It is legal to do so without any formal qualifications and there are no laws to control who carries out cosmetic treatments.

HOWEVER… there is more to this than meets the eye. In reality, there are a lot of issues to consider and some big BUTS to be aware of. In practice, it is not realistically possible for beauticians to carry out cosmetic injections using quality product from reputable suppliers with full insurance in place.

Dermal Filler Treatments

Issues for Beauty Therapists

1.   Insurance

Indemnity insurance is essential for cosmetic treatment practitioners. However, the reputable cosmetic treatment insurers will generally not cover therapists for injectable treatments including dermal fillers and lip filler. 

Even for qualified medical practitioners, they often require evidence of training specifically in cosmetic treatments (see our next point below). 

2.   Finding a Training Provider

SkinViva Training only offer courses for suitably qualified and registered medical professionals (e.g. doctors, dentists, midwives, nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists). See entry requirements and training criteria.

There are some providers who will train beauty therapists and aestheticians in injectable techniques, but these short courses for un(medically) qualified personnel are not highly rated and unlikely to be acceptable to insurers.

Some therapists offer cosmetic treatments without training. This is not illegal, but is frowned upon both by the industry, clients and the media.

3.  Obtaining Product

The large UK suppliers of reputable dermal fillers are careful who they supply to. They will generally look for:

• Suitable insurance to be in place
• Evidence of training
• Some require a prescription even for fillers

It is possible to purchase dermal fillers on the internet from overseas. This is highly dangerous, as there is a real lack of control. Stories appear regularly in the media of unsuitable filler products being used.

4.   Finding Premises

Reputable clinics and medi-spas will only employ medical professionals for cosmetic treatments. Even smaller local beauty/hair salons will usually wish to see specialist professional indemnity insurance (which as above, would not be available to beauty therapists).

5.  Future Regulations

Recommendations have been made to tighten up the industry, so it is very likely that regulations will be introduced at some point in the future.

Advice for Beauty Therapists

Beauty therapists wanting to study aesthetics must be aware of the difficulties in this area. Research it thoroughly from every angle. We advise:

• NEVER be tempted to operate without suitable insurance which includes injectable treatments
• NEVER be tempted to inject without suitable training (usually necessary for getting insurance)
• NEVER be tempted to purchase cheap/unknown filler brands from dubious sources, as this puts your client and your reputation at enormous risk
• If you’re interested in pursuing more advanced beauty treatments such as peels or laser treatment may be an easier option – but ALWAYS check out the insurance situation and invest in good quality training
• Alternatively, you could consider a higher level qualification to provide the medical credentials (e.g. nursing degree), although this could be a long-term route to the industry, albeit a costly one

SkinViva Training Academy Manchester

SkinViva Training Ltd offer a range of professional training courses for cosmetic and medical skin treatments. Their courses in cosmetic treatments directed at suitably qualified medical professionals* who wish to learn and build on their skills in delivering these procedures (*subject to meeting SkinViva Training’s entry criteria).

See our full list of forthcoming training course dates.

SkinViva Training Academy was established in 2013 by Dr Tim Pearce MBChB BSc (Hons) MRCGP. The SkinViva Training Academy team upholds high standards of clinical training providing a combination of fully-supervised practical experience together with essential theory.

For further information, to discuss which course is right for you, to enquire about availability or to book a training course please call 0161 850 2491, or email info@skinvivatraining.com.