The aesthetics landscape in the UK is undergoing one of its most significant transformations to date. In 2025, a new set of prescribing regulations has come into effect, mandating stricter, face-to-face protocols and eliminating the use of online prescriptions for aesthetic treatments.
As of January 2025, practitioners in aesthetic medicine must adhere to updated laws requiring in-person consultations for all prescription-only medicines (POMs), including Botulinum Toxin. These changes are aimed at tightening safety standards across the sector and closing the gaps that previously allowed high-risk prescribing through online or remote platforms.
These changes are a result of unified guidance from the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), General Medical Council (GMC), and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), all of whom have revised their stance to reflect growing concerns over patient safety in remote prescribing models.
All prescribing clinicians in the aesthetics industry must demonstrate compliance by July 2025, with revalidation processes set to consider adherence to these new measures.
Once a common route for quick prescriptions, particularly for Botulinum Toxin, the online prescription model is now firmly under regulatory lock and key.
Until recently, prescribers could legally issue a prescription following a video consultation, particularly in cases where a protocol was already established or the patient was returning for a repeat treatment.
Now, remote prescribing for aesthetic purposes is prohibited, even for repeat patients. Every prescription must be the result of a face-to-face consultation where the prescriber physically assesses the patient’s suitability.
Serious adverse events, complications from poorly assessed patients, and the increasing commercialisation of injectable treatments have prompted governing bodies to enforce this shift. It’s a protective measure, for both patients and prescribers, designed to elevate the standard of care.
This is a major turning point, particularly for those in training or non-prescribing practitioners.
Whether a doctor, dentist, or nurse prescriber, the mandate is simple: see your patient in person before issuing any aesthetic prescription. Virtual reviews, regardless of experience or familiarity, no longer count.
For non-prescribers, this means closer working relationships with designated prescribers are essential. Those seeking autonomy may now view V300 prescribing in aesthetics as not only desirable but essential for career progression.
Many aesthetic pharmacies are now requiring confirmation of in-person assessments before fulfilling any orders. Automated prescription fulfilment systems have been suspended or removed, meaning prescriber oversight must now be direct, visible, and verifiable.
The changes aren’t just legal, they’re clinical.
In-person consultations allow for proper clinical examination, comprehensive patient history taking, and nuanced understanding of contraindications, particularly in aesthetic medicine, where psychological readiness and physical suitability must be equally considered.
Reports from 2022-2024 included misdiagnosed contraindications, wrongly prescribed Botulinum Toxin, and in some cases, devastating aesthetic outcomes, all of which stemmed from remote prescribing errors.
The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) and Care Quality Commission (CQC) have echoed the need for greater clinical integrity. Face-to-face aesthetic consultations are now considered gold standard, not optional extras.
Each professional body has its own guidance, but all are aligned on one critical point: prescribing requires personal accountability.
Every prescriber must ensure:
While delegation can occur in some aspects of patient care, prescribing responsibility cannot be delegated. Supervision must be structured, documented, and in alignment with the new code of conduct.
There’s never been a more critical time to invest in your education. The new prescribing regulations have made it abundantly clear: compliance isn’t optional, it’s essential. Whether you’re an experienced injector seeking to refresh your clinical governance knowledge, or a nurse ready to take the leap into independent prescribing with a V300 qualification, continuous professional development (CPD) is your ticket to staying ahead.
At Acquisition Aesthetics, we offer a range of advanced training programmes that blend clinical expertise with regulatory insight, helping you stay confident, compliant, and competitive in today’s evolving landscape.
The shift towards in-person prescribing and structured oversight isn’t just about ticking regulatory boxes. It’s about enhancing patient safety and nurturing a culture of collaboration. From shared decision-making to clearer referral pathways, working as part of a supervised, multi-disciplinary team reinforces best practice and reduces professional risk.
Mentorship, peer learning, and clear accountability have become pillars of success in a post-remote-prescribing world.
This next chapter for UK aesthetics is not one of restriction, but refinement. The ban on online prescriptions is part of a broader movement toward professionalisation and public trust. As aesthetics becomes increasingly aligned with mainstream medical governance, practitioners who embrace training, transparency, and teamwork will thrive.
Now is the moment to reshape your practice with integrity. And we’re here to help you do just that.
Your Future in Aesthetics Deserves More Than Basic Training.
Step into a world of clinical excellence with the UK’s multi-award-winning aesthetic training provider.
Join our elite network of medically trained professionals
Explore our CPD-accredited training pathways designed to align with the latest prescribing regulations
Access exclusive mentorship and professional guidance from some of the industry’s most respected educators
Stay informed with best-in-class regulatory insights via our expert-led blog
0203 514 8757
contact@acquisitionaesthetics.co.uk
www.acquisitionaesthetics.co.uk
Refine your practice. Protect your future. Train with the best.
Acquisition Aesthetics strives to bring together experts in facial rejuvenation and non-surgical treatments to deliver the highest standard of training in facial aesthetics.
