The Face of Medicine- Excerpt
- Melis Binbas
- Apr 1
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 24
Dear Reader,
It’s a real joy to share this chapter of my journey with you. When I first stepped into the world of medical aesthetics as a junior doctor, I was surprised by how rarely it came up in NHS circles. It was almost a taboo topic, like a secret side hustle nobody wanted to admit to. Maybe it’s because the private sector feels so far removed from traditional medicine, or maybe many doctors simply don’t realise how many incredible opportunities lie just beyond the walls of the hospital.
The truth is, medical aesthetics is a recognised and respected field. The British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) defines clear standards for qualified professionals in this space. And yet, there’s still a sense of mystery around it. My goal with this book is to demystify the industry and pass on everything I’ve learned, so you can step forward with confidence—whether you’re still in training or already a seasoned clinician.
Vernon Kay presenting the Aesthetics Awards!
This book is for the curious. Because once upon a time, I was in your shoes: eager, full of questions, and unsure where to even begin. So, I did what most millennials do—I turned to Instagram and LinkedIn. I messaged every aesthetics practitioner I could find, asking the big questions:
How do I set up my own clinic? How do I register with the right bodies? What about taxes and insurance? Can I advertise? Do I need a Level 7 qualification? Which training academies are actually worth the money?
All completely valid questions—and exactly the kind this book will help you answer.
A mentor once told me, “Aesthetics is like sculpting—except your marble is a face, and your tools are needles.” That stuck with me. True aesthetics isn’t about drastic change; it’s about harmony, proportion, and subtle transformation. The best work is invisible. If someone walks out with pillow cheeks, a shiny forehead, or arched brows that could give Spock a run for his money, something’s gone wrong.
As medical professionals, we hold ourselves to a higher standard. We are not beauticians—let me repeat that. We are not beauticians. We are trained medical professionals with a duty to provide safe, ethical, and evidence-based care.
Sadly, the UK aesthetics industry is still poorly regulated. Anyone can legally inject dermal fillers, regardless of training. Shocking, right? And that’s exactly why we need more medically trained practitioners to lead the field—to raise the bar, educate patients, and prioritise safety above all else.
I’ve always loved medicine—but I’ve also always been creative. Aesthetics, for me, is where those worlds collide. I vividly remember sitting in the Royal Society of Medicine’s library as an F2, staring down two very different futures. Should I commit to internal medicine training with hopes of becoming a dermatologist? Or opt for GP training and pursue aesthetics along the way?
I spent weeks perfecting my internal medicine application. And then—on deadline day—I didn’t submit it. Something inside me knew. I was ready to take a different path.
GP training gave me the balance I needed. Flexibility. Autonomy. And the freedom to dive deep into my obsession: skin. When you know, you know. It’s like falling in love. Aesthetics, dermatology, skincare—it lights me up.
If you’re considering aesthetics, ask yourself: What do I want my life to look like in 10 years? Do you crave flexibility? Independence? The chance to build something that’s yours?
Aesthetics can give you that—but it comes with responsibility. You need to be self-motivated. Comfortable with uncertainty. Willing to invest in your own education. If that excites you, fantastic. If it sounds overwhelming, that’s okay too. The NHS offers structure, security, and a well-trodden path. Aesthetics offers freedom, creativity, and the thrill of carving out your own niche.
And for what it’s worth—you don’t have to choose. Many doctors successfully balance NHS work with private aesthetics. There’s no one-size-fits-all model. You get to design your career, your way.
My outfit at the awards ceremony!
What Is Aesthetics, Really?
At its core, aesthetics is about enhancing confidence and preserving skin health. It’s not dermatology. It’s not plastic surgery. It’s its own field- sitting somewhere between medicine and art. It includes everything from injectables and skincare to biohacking and regenerative treatments. And it’s evolving fast.
Where dermatology often focuses on pathology, aesthetics focuses on prevention and enhancement. It’s about slowing the aging process, improving skin integrity, and helping patients feel their best- both inside and out.
It’s also a business. Aesthetics demands more than medical skill. You’ll need to learn about branding, marketing, leadership, and entrepreneurship. You’ll be your own boss-which is both liberating and, at times, terrifying.
For a long time, aesthetic medicine lived in a grey area: it was practiced by doctors, dentists, and nurses, yet somehow excluded from the traditional medical specialties. It was clinical, but not “clinical enough.” Scientific, but often dismissed as superficial.
So, when the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) formally acknowledged aesthetic medicine as a specialty in 2024 through the establishment of the RSM Section of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery, also known as RSM SAMAS, it felt like a long overdue nod of validation. Not just for me, but for every medical professional who's ever been made to feel like they had one foot in and one foot out of the “real” world of medicine because they chose a path rooted in both science and beauty.
This recognition is more than just symbolic-it’s a big deal. It means aesthetic medicine is no longer the awkward cousin of dermatology or the misunderstood sibling of plastic surgery. It stands alone as a legitimate, evolving field with its own identity, demands, and intellectual merit. The RSM wouldn’t put its name behind anything that didn’t deserve a seat at the table-and now, we’ve got one.
The formation of RSM SAMAS represents a deliberate move to promote best practices, enhance professional development, and set high standards in the field of non-surgical cosmetic medicine. It brings together clinicians, researchers, and educators with a shared mission: to foster academic rigour, evidence-based care, and ethical integrity in a space that desperately needs it.
Because, while aesthetics has flourished in recent years, its regulation and recognition have struggled to keep up. In the UK, you still don’t need to be medically qualified to inject someone’s face with dermal fillers. You don’t need to understand anatomy, manage complications, or even know how hyaluronidase works. You just need to market yourself well enough to get clients through the door.
That’s not just frustrating- it’s dangerous. And it’s exactly why this level of institutional backing is so important. When the RSM says, “This is a specialty,” they’re not just giving us a label. They’re giving us a framework to grow within. They’re putting weight behind education, training, mentorship, and patient safety. They’re saying: this matters.
For patients, that recognition matters too. It signals that they’re not just paying for a prettier selfie- they’re receiving medical care from someone held to professional standards. It changes the conversation. It shifts the narrative from vanity to health, from trend to treatment, from surface to substance.
And for you, the reader who might be standing at the start of this journey, this development should feel reassuring. Because you're not stepping into a side hustle or a superficial niche. You're entering a specialty. One with depth, complexity, artistry, and real responsibility.
This is our time to raise the bar, take the mic, and own our place within the medical world- not just in the treatment room, but in the lecture halls, on the research panels, and in the leadership positions that shape the future of healthcare.
The RSM’s recognition of aesthetic medicine is a powerful reminder: we belong here. And we’re just getting started.
Receiving complimentary laser treatment on a telangiectasia on my cheek, at one of the conferences!
Aesthetics Training Providers
The world of aesthetics training is a bit like dating apps- there are plenty of options, but not all of them are good, and some will leave you with regrets. If you’re reading this, you’re probably trying to figure out where to begin. Maybe you’ve scrolled through endless Instagram ads promising that you’ll be an aesthetics master in a weekend. Maybe you’ve heard horror stories of poorly trained injectors but are wondering if the more expensive courses are just overpriced scams. Or maybe you’ve already dipped your toes in the industry and are now realising that knowing how to hold a syringe doesn’t automatically make you Picasso with filler.
Let’s start with the basics. The aesthetics industry is currently in its Wild West era. In the UK, there is no legal requirement dictating how much training you need before you start injecting. That means, in theory, someone could wake up one day, decide to become an aesthetics practitioner, complete a two-day course, and start sculpting faces without fully understanding anatomy, complications, or even the science behind what they’re injecting. If that thought horrifies you, congratulations- you already have better instincts than some people currently wielding needles.
Now, does this mean that a two-day course is completely useless? Not necessarily. Some practitioners do start with a short introductory course and build on their skills over time. But aesthetics isn’t like riding a bike- you don’t just "figure it out as you go." Mistakes in this field don’t result in scraped knees; they can result in vascular occlusions, blindness, and lifelong complications for patients. That’s why investing in proper education isn’t just about ticking a box- it’s about ensuring you actually know what you’re doing when you have a needle in your hand.
So, where should you train? This is where it gets interesting. There is no single best route into aesthetics, which can be both exciting and overwhelming. Some people opt for structured diplomas, others prefer hands-on mentorships, and some just go full maverick and hope for the best (not advisable).
To give you a head start, here’s a list of some reputable training providers:
This list isn’t exhaustive—new training providers pop up constantly, and some existing ones evolve. The key is to do your research.
When choosing a training provider, don’t just go for the one with the flashiest Instagram page.
Ask questions.
Will you get enough hands-on experience? Will you learn complication management, or just how to inject? Does the course offer ongoing support after training, or are you on your own once you walk out the door? These things matter.
Ps. Aesthetics articles come out every Friday, and they are excerpts of my upcoming book- The Face of Medicine, which will be ready to purchase on Amazon soon- where I share all of my insights about the Aesthetics Industry.