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Training is one of the key things that underpins ethical and safe practices in aesthetics.
Regular training enables practitioners to expand their knowledge of the latest treatments and techniques, learn new skills and deepen their understanding of aesthetic procedures.
With the sector constantly evolving and with medical professionals required to undertake continued professional development, practitioners can't be complacent when it comes to keeping up to date with training.
Ahead of his talk at The Aesthetics Business Conference on Tuesday 8 October, on the importance of training, sponsored by Wigmore Medical, Dr Raj Thethi explains why this is a subject he’s so passionate about.
Hamilton Fraser: Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us why you’re speaking on the topic of training?
Dr Raj Thethi: I’m Dr Raj Thethi, a medical doctor based in Leeds, running a CQC-registered clinic, and I’ve been in aesthetics for about seven and a half years now. I also serve as the clinical lead trainer for Wigmore Medical Pharmacy. Training has been a big part of my journey, and I’m passionate about it because this field is constantly evolving. One year can bring about so many changes, and I’m a big believer that we, as practitioners, have to keep learning to stay on top of the latest techniques. It’s a key part of our responsibility to our patients.
Hamilton Fraser: You’ve emphasised the importance of ongoing training. Could you explain why it’s crucial in aesthetics?
Dr Raj Thethi: In aesthetics, it’s so easy to get complacent. People think, "I’ve done my training, that’s it, I’m good." But that’s not how it works! The industry is in constant flux – the way we inject, the treatments we offer, and even the technology we use change rapidly. If you fall behind, you're not just risking your own practice, but you’re also not giving your patients the most up-to-date care. As healthcare professionals, we owe it to them and ourselves to stay current. Clinical governance dictates we have to keep evolving our knowledge to provide the best treatments.
Hamilton Fraser: How do you balance training others while continuing your own learning?
Dr Raj Thethi: You can’t ever think you know it all. Training others actually keeps me on my toes and sharpens my own skills. I believe you always walk away from a training day having learned something new, even if it’s just a tiny nugget of wisdom. That small piece could make a big difference in how I practise going forward. So, while I teach, I’m constantly learning from others, too. It's a two-way street.
Hamilton Fraser: With so many training options available, what type of training do you personally find most valuable?
Dr Raj Thethi: I’ve found that nothing beats hands-on training, especially when it comes to practical skills. Remote learning has its place, particularly for theoretical topics. For instance, I run a monthly webinar on advanced head and neck anatomy, and while it’s great for that, it doesn’t replace the in-person experience you get from something like injectable masterclasses. When you’re physically in the room with someone, you build rapport, trust, and a deeper understanding. You can see how they approach a treatment or how they assess a model – things you just can’t get through a screen.
Hamilton Fraser: You’ll be speaking at The Aesthetics Business Conference, which is business-focused. How does this differ from clinical conferences, and why do you think it’s important?
Dr Raj Thethi: As healthcare professionals, we naturally gravitate towards clinical conferences. That’s where we feel comfortable because it’s what we’re trained to do. But the reality is that without business acumen, even the most skilled clinician can struggle to succeed. Conferences like the Aesthetics Business Conference teach us the skills we never got taught in medical school—things like managing a clinic, marketing, and navigating the financial side of aesthetics. Understanding these aspects is crucial, whether you’re running a side gig or a full-fledged clinic. If you can’t manage the business side, you risk failure, no matter how good your clinical skills are.
Hamilton Fraser: The training space is filled with various courses. What challenges do you see, and how should practitioners navigate them?
Dr Raj Thethi: One of the biggest challenges is that the training space is unregulated. There’s no governing body to monitor quality, so it’s easy to be swayed by someone with a big Instagram following, for instance, rather than someone who has the evidence to back up their training. As Lee Walker says, it’s about looking for evidence, not just eminence. Practitioners should make sure that their trainers are open about their sources and that they practise evidence-based medicine. Look at the trainer’s pedigree, their experience, and how the training has evolved. And always take a critical approach—everyone has their own way of doing things, and it’s important to adapt what you learn to your own style of practice.
Hamilton Fraser: Finally, what advice would you give to someone just starting their aesthetics training journey?
Dr Raj Thethi: Stay humble and curious. The best advice I can give is to never think you’ve "made it." The moment you stop learning is the moment you start falling behind. Training is a continuous process—soak up as much knowledge as you can from different sources, be it hands-on courses, conferences, or even your colleagues. And most importantly, enjoy the journey of constantly evolving and improving. It’s what keeps this profession exciting.
Dr Raj Thethi will be speaking on The Importance of Training at The Aesthetics Business Conference at The Royal College of Physicians on Tuesday 8 October. Book your tickets here.
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