The Level 7 Diploma- Is it Worth Doing?

One route that’s gaining traction is the Level 7 Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine. This qualification is often seen as the gold standard because it involves rigorous training, theoretical knowledge, and supervised practical experience. I chose to complete my Level 7 Diploma for a few reasons. First, I wanted to future-proof my career. Regulations in the aesthetics industry are tightening, and I didn’t want to be caught off guard when new laws are introduced. Second, I wanted patients to trust me. The aesthetics market is competitive, and qualifications matter-especially when patients are trusting you with their faces. Third, I couldn’t, in good conscience, inject people without truly understanding what I was doing. As a doctor, my primary responsibility is patient safety, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I wasn’t confident in my abilities.

That being said, the Level 7 route isn’t for everyone. It’s a significant financial and time investment, and some practitioners prefer alternative routes. What matters most is that you continuously build your skills.

Some other ways to gain experience include shadowing experienced injectors. Watching a skilled practitioner at work can be invaluable. Some offer shadowing opportunities for free, while others charge hefty fees-but either way, the insights you gain can be game-changing. You also need to be selective about the type of training you invest in. The aesthetics industry is constantly evolving, with new treatments, techniques, and trends emerging all the time. Expanding your expertise beyond Botox and fillers-into areas like skin health, polynucleotides, longevity medicine, weight-loss or hair care-can set you apart from the competition.

Now, let’s talk about common mistakes people make when choosing a training provider. The first mistake? Choosing a course purely based on price. While it’s understandable to be budget-conscious, the cheapest option is often cheap for a reason. Investing in quality training will pay off in the long run. Another mistake is skipping hands-on experience. Watching a procedure online is not the same as performing it yourself. You wouldn’t want a pilot who has only played flight simulator games flying your plane, would you? Similarly, you don’t want to be injecting faces without having practiced under supervision.

Another red flag is training providers that don’t offer ongoing support. Complications can happen, even to the best injectors. If your training provider disappears the moment you complete your course, leaving you with no guidance, that’s a problem.

Beyond just choosing the right course, it’s important to recognise that aesthetics is a constantly evolving field. Staying ahead means committing to lifelong learning. This might mean attending conferences, following key industry figures, reading new research, and continuously refining your skills.

And if you’re wondering whether aesthetics is all about injecting, think again. Some of the most successful aesthetics practitioners aren’t just injectors; they’re business owners, educators, researchers, and innovators. The industry offers endless possibilities-you could open your own clinic, specialise in treating complex skin conditions, develop your own skincare line, or even become a trainer yourself.

For me, aesthetics has never been just about Botox and filler. It’s about combining my passion for medicine with creativity. It’s about giving patients confidence, about merging science with artistry, and about continuously learning. I’ve also chosen to balance my aesthetics career with training in general practice-because for me, both fields complement each other. I love the continuity of care in GP, the deep patient relationships, and the medical expertise that ultimately informs my aesthetics practice. The two fields may seem worlds apart, but in reality, they intertwine beautifully.

As the industry moves toward stricter regulations, it’s likely that mandatory qualifications will become the norm. The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP), the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM), and government bodies are all pushing for higher standards. If you invest in proper training now, you’ll be ahead of the curve when these changes come.

At the end of the day, your aesthetics journey is what you make of it. If you treat it like a side hustle with minimal effort, your results will reflect that. But if you commit to excellence, invest in your education, and put patient safety first, you’ll build a career that is not only successful but also deeply rewarding.

So, if you take one thing away from this, let it be this: don’t cut corners on your training. Invest in your education. Invest in your skills. And most importantly, invest in your patients. Because as Steven Bartlett says, "The biggest investment you can make is in yourself."

Botox & Dermal Fillers

Botox and dermal fillers-two staples of the modern aesthetic industry-have become synonymous with ageless beauty and youthful vitality. For many people, these treatments are the key to turning back time, smoothing away wrinkles, and enhancing natural beauty. But in reality, these procedures involve much more than just superficial changes to one's appearance. In fact, Botox and dermal fillers represent the intersection of art, science, and human psychology, where a small needle can have a profound impact not just on the face, but on the mind and soul as well.

The allure of Botox is hard to deny. It’s a brand name that has become part of our everyday language. When people talk about “getting Botox,” they’re often referring to the act of erasing wrinkles and preventing further signs of aging. But Botox is far more than just a cosmetic fix-it’s an injectable wonder that works on a deeper, physiological level. Botox is derived from botulinum toxin, a neurotoxin produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. This powerful toxin temporarily blocks nerve signals to the muscles, which causes them to relax. The result? A noticeable reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

While this may sound like something out of a science fiction novel, Botox has been proven to be safe and effective when used properly. Over the years, Botox has been applied not only in aesthetic procedures but also in medical treatments for conditions like chronic migraines, excessive sweating, and even some eye disorders. But for those seeking smoother skin, it’s Botox’s cosmetic benefits that make it so popular. As Botox temporarily paralyses muscles, it smooths away lines and prevents new wrinkles from forming, making it the go-to treatment for people who want to stay looking youthful.

However, Botox isn’t just for anyone. Because Botox is a prescription-only medication (POM), only licensed healthcare professionals can prescribe it legally. This presents a challenge for those who wish to practice aesthetic injectables without being prescribers themselves. But don't worry-there are ways to make this work. Non-prescribing practitioners can collaborate with a licensed prescriber who will take responsibility for the prescriptions. In such arrangements, the prescriber conducts a consultation with the patient and provides the necessary prescriptions, while the non-prescriber does the actual injections. It’s a great way for people to practice and gain experience in the aesthetics industry before seeking their own prescriber status.

For those who wish to go a step further and operate independently, becoming a prescriber may be the natural next step. While it takes time, training, and a solid understanding of the ethics surrounding medical aesthetics, becoming a prescriber opens the door to more freedom, autonomy, and professional growth. Many aesthetic professionals who begin by collaborating with prescribers eventually obtain their independent prescribing rights, thus allowing them to work without needing to partner with others.

That being said, Botox is not without its limitations. It’s not for everyone, and patient safety should always be the primary concern. Just because someone wants Botox doesn’t mean they should receive it. There are several contraindications that need to be considered before administering Botox. For example, if a patient has an allergy to Botox or any of its components, they should not receive the treatment. Similarly, individuals with active infections at the site of the injection, such as acne or open sores, should not undergo Botox injections. Neurological conditions like myasthenia gravis, ALS, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome are also absolute contraindications, as these can exacerbate the effects of Botox and lead to potential complications. Additionally, pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid Botox due to the lack of safety data, and patients with bleeding disorders should not undergo Botox injections either, as the procedure involves the use of needles, which can increase the risk of bleeding. Some medications, such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, can interact with Botox and intensify its effects, making it crucial to assess any ongoing medications a patient is taking.

Now, let’s turn our attention to dermal fillers, Botox’s rowdy and rebellious younger sibling. Unlike Botox, which temporarily paralyses muscles to smooth out wrinkles, dermal fillers are designed to replace lost volume, smooth lines, and even sculpt facial features. Whether it’s plumping the lips, enhancing the cheeks, or smoothing nasolabial folds, dermal fillers work wonders by restoring the volume that is lost with age. Fillers can also be used to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles that Botox may not fully address, making them an invaluable addition to any aesthetic practice.

One of the most significant differences between Botox and dermal fillers is that while Botox is a prescription-only medication (POM), dermal fillers are classified as medical devices in many places, including the UK. This means that anyone, regardless of medical training, can legally purchase and inject dermal fillers. This open access can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it allows a wider range of practitioners to offer fillers to their patients. On the other hand, it means that anyone-from a beauty therapist with little to no medical training to someone who watched a few YouTube videos-can inject dermal fillers. This lack of regulation has led to numerous complications, including blindness, strokes, and tissue necrosis. While dermal fillers can work wonders when applied correctly, they carry substantial risks when injected by an untrained or unqualified individual.

That’s why it’s crucial for anyone entering the world of dermal fillers to undergo proper training and education. Understanding the anatomy of the face is paramount, as the risk of complications can arise when fillers are injected into or near blood vessels. One of the most serious risks associated with dermal filler injections is vascular occlusion. If a filler is accidentally injected into a blood vessel, it can block blood flow, leading to tissue death, blindness, or even stroke in rare cases. This underscores the importance of not only knowing how to inject correctly but also knowing when to refer patients to a more experienced practitioner if a complication arises.

When it comes to dermal filler injections, there’s a lively debate between practitioners about the use of needles versus cannulas. Both tools have their merits, and knowing when to use each one is essential to minimising risk and achieving optimal results. Needles are sharp, precise instruments that make small incisions in the skin and are ideal for precise injections in areas like the lips and under the eyes. However, they carry a higher risk of injury to blood vessels and nerves. Cannulas, on the other hand, are blunt instruments that glide under the skin, reducing the risk of vascular complications. Cannulas require a small pilot hole to be made with a needle before they can be inserted, but once in, they can distribute the filler more evenly and safely across the face. Many experienced practitioners use a combination of both tools, depending on the area of the face being treated.

In the world of aesthetics, trends come and go. One year, a particular look or treatment might be all the rage, and the next, it’s a distant memory. Right now, we’re seeing a rise in alternative treatments like fat-dissolving injections, laser treatments, and Polynucleotide therapy (also known as “fish sperm injections” due to their biological source). These treatments are emerging as alternatives to dermal fillers, with the promise of offering similar results with different mechanisms of action.

For example, fat-dissolving injections target stubborn fat pockets, creating more defined jawlines or slimmer contours, while lasers are increasingly being used for skin tightening and rejuvenation. Polynucleotide therapy, though still in its early stages of popularity, is being hailed for its ability to stimulate collagen production and improve skin quality over time. However, despite the rise of new treatments, it’s important to remember the golden rule of aesthetic practice: trends come and go, but safety and patient satisfaction should always remain the priority.

As with any field of medicine, aesthetics requires a strong ethical foundation. The best injectors are not just skilled technicians; they are also responsible, trustworthy, and patient- centered. The decision to inject Botox or dermal fillers should never be driven by profit alone. It’s essential to build trust with your patients, to truly listen to their concerns, and to provide them with treatments that align with their needs and expectations. Injectables are a highly personal experience for many people, and as an injector, you play a critical role in helping them feel more confident, empowered, and comfortable in their own skin. But you also have a responsibility to be honest about what can and cannot be achieved.

Some patients may come to you asking for a treatment that isn’t appropriate for their face, their skin, or their health. In these situations, it’s essential to say no. You might have to refer them to another practitioner or guide them toward a different solution that better fits their needs. Always remember that as an aesthetic practitioner, you have the power to change lives, but you also have the responsibility to ensure your patients’ safety and well-being.

At the heart of every great aesthetic practitioner is a strong ethical compass, a commitment to ongoing learning, and a deep respect for the craft. As the industry evolves, regulations are tightening, and the expectations of both patients and professionals are increasing. If you choose to embark on the path of an injector, you are not just entering a profession- you are joining a community of healers, artists, and lifelong learners. The work you do isn’t just about making people look good; it’s about helping them feel good, inside and out.

In conclusion, Botox and dermal fillers offer incredible potential for enhancing natural beauty, restoring lost volume, and improving self-esteem. But with this power comes great responsibility. As an injector, you must approach your work with a balance of skill, knowledge, ethics, and empathy. Your patients are placing their trust in you, and it’s up to you to honour that trust with every injection you make. As the field of aesthetics continues to grow and evolve, remember that the most important thing you can offer your patients isn’t just a smoother forehead or fuller lips-it’s a sense of confidence, empowerment, and a renewed belief in their own beauty.

Love and Light