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Is a career in aesthetics the right move for you? For medical professionals such as doctors, dentists and nurses, working in aesthetic medicine, perhaps even setting up your own aesthetic business, can open up a whole new world of opportunities, while tapping into existing clinical skills.
The cosmetic sector continues to grow rapidly and aesthetic work can be both lucrative and flexible. A career in aesthetics can also be adapted to fit in around NHS commitments.
Working as an aesthetic practitioner offers a wide range of potential opportunities to medical professionals:
It is important to also be prepared for challenges you may experience, particularly if you’re looking to move out of medical practice and into aesthetics full-time.
Nurse practitioner, Julie Scott, a speaker on the topic of ‘How to get started in aesthetics at Hamilton Fraser’s Aesthetics Business Conference , shares her advice on navigating the challenges of starting out in aesthetics.
“When I first started in aesthetics, I encountered challenges like working independently, limited training options, and being a minority in the field. It was also tough grappling with self-doubt. My advice for others facing similar hurdles is to seek mentors and connect with peers who can offer support and guidance. Invest in learning opportunities that align with your goals, and embrace your unique perspective—it can be a real asset.”
You may need to reconcile your initial reasons for entering the medical profession with your move into the aesthetics industry – can you still ‘make a difference’?
You may have the transferable clinical skills to succeed in aesthetics, but you will also need to develop your business knowledge in areas like marketing and finance
If you have been part of a busy NHS team you may miss the camaraderie and teamwork
You may have been employed at a senior level in your previous role and could feel uncomfortable with your relative lack of experience in aesthetics to begin with
You are vulnerable to scrutiny as a private aesthetic practitioner and may receive negative feedback such as negative reviews. Maintaining your reputation and high levels of customer service in a sector highly influenced by social media is likely to be outside your previous experience as a doctor, dentist or nurse
Once you’ve weighed up the potential pros and cons of a move into aesthetic medicine, if you think the timing is right and a career as an aesthetic practitioner is for you, it’s essential to get off on the right foot. But where do you begin?
Starting a career as an aesthetic practitioner can seem like a daunting prospect. Taking the following 10 steps will set you on the right path:
At Hamilton Fraser, we require practitioners to be registered with the relevant industry body before we can offer insurance cover. We therefore strongly advise that nurses have a valid Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration before attending any botulinum toxin and filler training courses. The British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN) also advocate that nurses obtain at least three years of general adult nursing experience before moving into aesthetic work. This is to make sure that they have a solid foundation of transferable knowledge and experience in general nursing. Dentists and doctors are also required to have a current, active registration with the General Dental Council (GDC) or the General Medical Council (GMC) to practise in aesthetics.
Top tip: Although not mandatory, you may also consider joining a trade body such as the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) for doctors and dentists, or the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN), for nurses. Membership of these bodies offers access to a support network for aesthetic practitioners and enables prospective patients to find registered medical professionals who have provided evidence of their insurance and training.
If you are looking to set up your own aesthetic business, it is important to research your market so that you can understand:
Your market research will also feed into your aesthetic business plan, which you will need to secure funding for your business venture.
Finding the right training can be a minefield. Julie Scott offers her advice:
“Finding the right training in aesthetics can feel overwhelming with so many options available. I would recommend you start by prioritising accredited training providers that offer hands-on experience and are taught by experienced practitioners. It's helpful to ask for recommendations from colleagues you trust and choose courses that align with your career goals. Remember, it's okay to take your time to master each skill—rushing can lead to frustration.”
To specialise in most aesthetic treatments, you must complete a recognised training course. The level of training and experience you will need varies depending on whether the procedures you will be carrying out are non-invasive or invasive. You can find out more about out Hamilton Fraser’s training requirements for specific treatments on the ‘what treatments we cover’ page of our website, or you can speak to a member of the team on 0800 634 3881 to discuss your bespoke requirements.
Did you know, botulinum toxin and dermal fillers make up 85% of the non-surgical market, offering solid access into the aesthetics industry? Patients often seek a combination of both treatments so practitioners need to be skilled in both.
It is important to be aware that since botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine, you will need to undertake additional training if you intend to prescribe and are not a nurse prescriber. You can either complete a V300 course in order to become a nurse prescriber or, before carrying out a botulinum toxin treatment on a client, you can arrange for a registered doctor, dentist, or nurse prescriber to do a face to face consultation and, as long as the patient is assessed as suitable for the treatment, they will then be able to prescribe the botulinum toxin.
Top tip: Completing the V300 course enables you to work more independently and is the recommended route if you’re aiming to become a full-time aesthetic nurse. Organisations such as Aesthetic Associates can help nurses who don’t hold the V300 certification to find a prescriber who is local to them.
The aesthetics industry offers a wide range of courses to choose from - check out our tips to choosing the right course for you.
It is also important to be aware that both the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) and Health Education England (HEE) are encouraging practitioners and training providers to join the voluntary registers by asking them to demonstrate that they can meet the standards set originally by the HEE framework.
Since the HEE signpost what level of training practitioners will be expected to meet in the future, it is quite likely that these higher expectations will become the minimum standards for accrediting bodies, as well as for cosmetic insurers, employers and the general public. The level 7 accreditation is not currently essential but is the most highly regarded certification.
The aesthetic sector is evolving rapidly, and you will need to update your skills regularly to keep up and remain competitive.
Having a well-structured business plan will give you direction and provide a roadmap for your business’s future. It is also essential to attract the investment you will need to get your aesthetics business started.
Did you know, your bank can provide you with a tool kit to help you put together your business plan? It should include an executive summary, a business overview, how you are going to execute your idea (operations, products and services, marketing and sales), a competitive analysis, financial plan and projections. Once you have completed your business plan, make an appointment with your bank, take along your business plan and discuss your options.
Top tip: Remember, a business plan is a continuously evolving document and as you begin to trade, elements might need to be updated so it is important to keep it in a format that is easy to amend.
As an aesthetic practitioner there are several options – would you prefer to work for yourself or an employer? Are you planning on working full time or part time in aesthetics? Speak to an accountant to decide whether you will be a sole trader, limited company or partnership (your accountant will be able to advise you on this).
Choose the option that best fits with other work and family commitments, the amount you have to invest and the level of risk you are prepared to take.
Partnering with an established complementary provider such as a dental practice or a hair salon can work well if you don’t have your own premises. They may have a room you can use for consulting with patients. They also have clients that may be interested in your services, and the arrangement can be mutually beneficial as they stand to gain revenue from the patients you treat in return. With this model, you have no overheads, and it is in the complementary provider’s interests to promote your services.
Setting yourself up as a mobile practitioner is straightforward. Our policy will extend to cover practitioners to carry out treatments at the practitioner’s or patient’s home, but it is widely recommended to administer treatments in a clinical setting/environment. The flexibility offered by operating as a mobile practitioner is geared towards enabling practitioners to administer treatments at various clinic/salon locations.
As a mobile practitioner, you will need to find your own clients and source your own products, but you have no overheads, and you get to keep all the income you generate. Patients are also likely to be more loyal and you can arrange mutually convenient appointments.
If you already have your own medical premises, then starting a clinic is a great opportunity to boost your current revenue – you will be able to charge higher prices here than you would be able to as a mobile practitioner.
By working in a clinic full time, or part time alongside your existing role as a salaried employee, you will have immediate access to all the equipment and products you need. The clinic will generally market your services and book patients in. You then receive a percentage of the revenue (this is usually a 15-20 per cent cut).
Aesthetic marketing is largely online and a majority of your potential clients will be online, therefore it is important to create a virtual presence by:
Hamilton Fraser’s guide, Digital marketing for aesthetic practitioners contains lots of useful information and advice on how to develop your aesthetic marketing strategy.
Medical malpractice insurance is designed to protect you against allegations of malpractice and negligence. Without adequate cover, you will be left to defend yourself against any allegations personally, which could incur significant legal costs. With medical malpractice claims becoming increasingly costly, malpractice insurance is essential.
Malpractice cover will protect you against potential costs and damages you may become legally liable to pay arising out of any insured treatments you provide or advice you give to patients. Hamilton Fraser’s policy includes public liability cover, which is designed to protect your legal liability against costs and expenses following injury or damage to a third party or their property while you are working at a premises not owned by you.
Find out more about aesthetic insurance in our article, 7 reasons why you need cosmetic insurance.
When it comes to treatments, keep it simple to begin with, perhaps focusing on building a repeat client base reflective of the needs of your identified target customer (treatments for ageing skin for example).
Once you have defined your treatment offering in line with your market research and training, you will need to plan where to source your products from. Online pharmacies are very convenient if you are going to be working independently.
Remember, it is your responsibility to make sure that the products you use are sterile and in date. Be aware of grey market products and only source from a reputable supplier or you risk invalidating your insurance cover. Grey market products are legitimate products that have been manufactured by an approved company but have been sold outside authorised distribution methods. For example, in the case of botulinum toxin all injections must contain botulinum toxin from a listed supplier and carry the CE mark. Grey market products are a growing problem in the aesthetic sector so, although it may be tempting to buy cheaper ‘branded' products online from a retailer that is not based in the UK or is not a registered pharmacy, they could potentially be unsafe, and if they are not from a reputable supplier, you risk invalidating your insurance.
Once you have stocked up on supplies, are fully insured as an aesthetic practitioner, and trained to begin practising, the fun begins. Here are a few tips to help get you started:
Expand your business and extend your aesthetic knowledge and contact base through continued professional development and networking. This can be achieved by:
“My top tips for growing an aesthetic practice are all about staying true to yourself and focusing on what matters most. Be authentic and know your niche so you can really shine in your speciality. Understand who your ideal patient is and speak directly to them. You can't be great at everything, so don't hesitate to bring in people who excel in areas where you might not. Surround yourself with like-minded practitioners and find your tribe—it's invaluable. Stay focused on your own journey and avoid getting distracted by what others are doing. Always keep your patients at the heart of your decisions, and no matter how successful you become, remember to stay humble.”
- Julie Scott, nurse practitioner
For more tips and advice on starting out in aesthetics, read our interview with Julie Scott , who is an NMC registered independent nurse prescriber and Level 7 qualified aesthetic injector and trainer with over 30 years’ experience in plastics and skin rejuvenation.
Most people setting themselves up to work in aesthetics come from a clinical background and few have the business knowledge or network necessary to run it successfully from the outset. At Hamilton Fraser, we offer more than just insurance. For more advice on getting started in aesthetics and for information on cosmetic insurance, contact Hamilton Fraser on 0800 63 43 881.
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