What to Expect at Your First Facial Aesthetics Consultation

Published 2026-02-18 · ClinicSpark Team

Reviewed by the ClinicSpark Editorial Team — our team includes GDC-registered dental professionals and specialist healthcare writers. Last reviewed: February 2026.

What to Expect at Your First Facial Aesthetics Consultation

If you are considering a facial aesthetics treatment for the first time — whether that is botulinum toxin, dermal fillers, or another injectable treatment — a proper consultation is not just good practice: for treatments involving prescription-only medicines, it is a legal requirement. This guide explains what a thorough facial aesthetics consultation involves, why each step matters, and what you should watch out for.

Why the Consultation Matters

Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the UK. Under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, it can only be prescribed following a face-to-face clinical assessment by a qualified prescriber. A legitimate consultation is not a sales pitch — it is a clinical appointment, and you should be treated accordingly.

Even for treatments not classified as prescription-only, such as hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, the Health and Care Act 2022 requires that administering practitioners in England are registered healthcare professionals. A consultation should therefore reflect clinical standards regardless of which treatment is being considered.

Step 1: Medical History and Health Assessment

Your consultation will typically begin with a detailed medical history review. The practitioner needs to understand:

• Current medications (including blood thinners such as aspirin, warfarin, or newer anticoagulants)
• Known allergies, particularly to lidocaine or hyaluronic acid products
• Previous aesthetic treatments and any reactions to them
• Relevant medical conditions — including autoimmune conditions, bleeding disorders, or active skin infections in the proposed treatment area
• Whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding (botulinum toxin and many fillers are contraindicated)
• Mental health history, including any history of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)

This is not box-ticking. A responsible practitioner will use this information to determine whether treatment is appropriate for you, to select the right product, and to identify any modifications to technique that may be needed.

Step 2: Facial Assessment

A qualified aesthetics practitioner — particularly one with a dental background — will assess your facial anatomy as part of the consultation. This includes:

• Facial symmetry and proportions
• Skin quality, thickness, and elasticity
• Existing muscle movement patterns (relevant to botulinum toxin planning)
• Volume distribution across different facial zones
• The relationship between the teeth, lips, and jaw (particularly relevant for dentists assessing perioral treatments)

This assessment informs a personalised treatment plan. A practitioner who spends less than a few minutes on this stage and goes straight to product recommendations should prompt caution.

Step 3: Discussion of Your Goals

You should have the opportunity to explain what you are hoping to achieve. A good practitioner will listen carefully and be honest about what is and is not achievable. They should explain:

• Which treatment or combination of treatments could address your concerns
• Realistic expectations for the outcome
• The limitations of the treatment
• Alternative approaches where relevant

Under ASA/CAP advertising guidelines, practitioners cannot show before and after photographs in promotional material for Botox and filler treatments, but they can discuss expected outcomes verbally during a clinical consultation.

Step 4: Risks and Consent

Informed consent is a legal and ethical requirement. Your practitioner must explain (and for lip fillers specifically, read our 5 questions to ask before getting lip fillers):

• Common side effects (bruising, swelling, redness at injection sites)
• Uncommon but serious risks specific to the treatment area
• What to do if you experience a complication
• The practitioner's protocol for managing adverse events

For botulinum toxin, the consultation must include prescriber assessment and a written prescription. You should be given time to ask questions and should never feel pressured to proceed immediately.

Step 5: Treatment Planning and Pricing

At the end of the consultation, the practitioner should present a clear treatment plan, including what product(s) will be used, how many units or syringes, the total cost, and what is included (follow-up, any top-up). Pricing should be transparent and provided in writing.

For botulinum toxin treatments, a cooling-off period between consultation and treatment is considered best practice, though it is not a statutory requirement for aesthetics. Some practices — particularly those following Save Face guidelines — recommend at least 24 hours between consultation and treatment for first-time patients.

Red Flags to Watch For

A consultation that omits these steps should concern you:

• No medical history taken
• No face-to-face prescriber assessment for Botox
• Pressure to book or pay on the day
• No written consent form
• Practitioner cannot explain their qualifications or regulatory registration
• No mention of what happens if something goes wrong

Finding a Qualified Practitioner

ClinicSpark lists dental practitioners across the UK who offer facial aesthetics treatments. You can filter by location, treatment type, and accreditation status to find a qualified provider near you. Search for facial aesthetics consultations near you — including in London, Manchester, and Bristol.

Before booking, verify that your chosen practitioner is registered with their professional regulator (GDC for dentists), CQC registered if in England, and ideally listed on the Save Face register. Our step-by-step guide on how to check your aesthetics practitioner is qualified walks you through each register.