What the NHS Says to Ask Before a Cosmetic Procedure

Ask who will carry out the procedure and where they trained. Good answers name a registered professional such as a doctor, dentist or nurse, and give a verifiable training route and recent CPD. If the practitioner is not regulated, pause and ask for details of their clinical supervision and insurance.
Also ask how many times they have performed this exact procedure. Experience matters for injectables and skin resurfacing. A clinician who can describe typical complications they have seen, and how they managed them, shows practical experience rather than only theory. If you want extra reassurance, ask to see anonymised case notes or before-and-after examples during the consultation.

Ask for the practitioner\u0000s qualifications and check they match what they claim. Registered professionals should state their registration body, for example the General Medical Council or Nursing and Midwifery Council. Ask for specific training in the treatment you are having, not just a general diploma.
Crucially, check professional indemnity insurance covers the exact procedure and that it is current. If a clinic or practitioner refuses to share insurance details, treat that as a red flag. Where possible, confirm registration or insurance online before the appointment so you are not relying on verbal claims on the day.

Ask which complications are common and which are rare for your chosen treatment. For dermal fillers this should include bruising, swelling, infection and the small but serious risk of vascular occlusion. For anti-wrinkle injections ask about droop of nearby muscles and asymmetry. For skin resurfacing ask about infection, scarring and pigment change.
Ask the practitioner how they would recognise and treat these complications, and whether emergency protocols or referral pathways are in place. Good clinics keep emergency hyaluronidase and know referral routes to NHS or hospital teams for serious events [1].

Ask for clear, written aftercare instructions and expected timelines. Practical points to cover: when normal activities can resume, what to do for bruising or swelling, signs of infection to watch for and when to contact the clinic. Aftercare differs between treatments: injectables usually need short self-care at home, while resurfacing may need several days of wound care.
Ask whether follow-up appointments are included and whether there is an out-of-hours contact for concerns. Clinics that arrange a proactive review around 2 weeks after injectables or 4\u0000weeks after deeper resurfacing offer better safety and outcome checks.

Ask for a full cost breakdown before you commit. This should include the treatment fee, any follow-up checks, consumables and potential top-ups or maintenance sessions. Ask whether the clinic offers refunds for unsatisfactory results, and what their policy is for remedial work if a complication occurs.
Also ask what happens if a serious problem develops out of hours, and whether the clinic will liaise with NHS services if needed. If you are in the Blackpool or Fylde Coast area, ask about local referral pathways and whether the practitioner will attend onward care or provide handover documentation. Knowing the financial and practical safety net reduces stress should anything go wrong.