By Dr. Rinku Ratti MBBS (distinction) MRCGP (distinction) BSc (Honours) DFFP DRCOG. – Aesthetic and Medical Doctor at The Doctor’s Practice, Birmingham.
Aesthetic medicine is more than just cosmetic enhancement—it’s about confidence, self-care, and patient well-being. As an aesthetic doctor, I have deep conversations with my patients about their goals and concerns, ensuring they feel empowered, informed, and comfortable in their choices.
But with the rise of social media beauty standards, influencer culture, and aggressive marketing, there are increasing ethical concerns around realistic expectations, patient autonomy, and responsible practice.
At The Doctor’s Practice, I prioritise natural, ethical enhancements that align with my patients’ unique features and personal goals. This blog explores the core ethical principles in aesthetic medicine, including patient autonomy, practitioner responsibility, and the influence of societal beauty standards.
- Patient Autonomy & Informed Consent
✔ Patients should have full control over their aesthetic choices.
✔ Practitioners must provide clear, honest information about treatments.
✔ Informed consent must be thorough, not just a formality.
Aesthetic treatments, unlike medical interventions for illness, are elective. This makes informed consent even more critical.
What Does Ethical Informed Consent Involve?
✔ Educating patients on potential risks, benefits, and realistic outcomes.
✔ Addressing unrealistic expectations—especially when influenced by edited images or social media.
✔ Encouraging open discussions about motivations—ensuring procedures align with personal well-being, not external pressures.
For example, if a patient requests anti-wrinkle injections expecting to look drastically different, it’s my duty to educate them on realistic results. Patients should never feel pressured into treatments they don’t fully understand or need.
A 2023 study in The Journal of Aesthetic Medicine found that up to 35% of patients seeking aesthetic treatmentshad unrealistic expectations based on social media portrayals rather than medical facts.
This is why ethical practitioners must be clear, honest, and patient-focused in consultations.
- The Responsibility of Aesthetic Practitioners
✔ Practitioners must be trained, skilled, and prioritise safety.
✔ Marketing should be ethical and not prey on insecurities.
✔ The rise of unregulated providers poses risks to patient safety.
Aesthetic medicine is a medical specialty, not just a beauty service. Unfortunately, the increasing availability of non-medical practitioners offering treatments raises serious concerns.
Key Ethical Responsibilities for Aesthetic Doctors
✔ Only performing treatments within our expertise and training.
✔ Providing aftercare and ongoing support for patients.
✔ Avoiding aggressive marketing tactics that prey on insecurities.
For instance, at The Doctor’s Practice, I focus on enhancing natural beauty, not creating artificial transformations. I also ensure that my patients understand what’s safe, effective, and suitable for their unique facial structure.
A 2023 report from the British Aesthetic Medicine Association highlighted that poorly trained injectors have led to a rise in complications such as vascular occlusions and filler migration. Ethical doctors must advocate for stricter regulations and patient safety.
- The Influence of Beauty Standards & Social Media
✔ Social media has changed how people perceive beauty and ageing.
✔ Excessive editing and filters create unrealistic expectations.
✔ Practitioners should encourage self-confidence over chasing trends.
Many of my patients bring in filtered selfies or ask for treatments because they want to look like a celebrity or influencer. While aesthetic medicine can enhance features, it should never be about erasing individuality.
The Ethical Approach to Beauty Standards
✔ Helping patients appreciate their natural features rather than chasing trends.
✔ Promoting healthy, balanced aesthetics instead of extreme enhancements.
✔ Educating on the dangers of unrealistic expectations created by social media.
A 2022 study in the British Journal of Psychology found that constant exposure to edited images increases dissatisfaction with natural appearances, leading to higher requests for aesthetic procedures based on unattainable beauty ideals.
At The Doctor’s Practice, I guide my patients toward realistic, natural, and confidence-boosting results—helping them feel like the best version of themselves, not someone else.
- The Ethical Future of Aesthetic Medicine
Aesthetic medicine will continue evolving, but patient safety, realistic expectations, and ethical practice must remain at the centre.
✔ Stricter regulations for non-medical practitioners should be enforced to improve patient safety.
✔ Ongoing education for both patients and practitioners will ensure treatments remain ethical.
✔ Aesthetic medicine should empower patients, not encourage insecurity.
Ethical practice is about honest conversations, responsible treatments, and helping patients feel their best in their own skin.
Book an Appointment with Dr. Rinku
Looking for expert, ethical aesthetic treatments? Book an appointment with Dr. Rinku at The Doctor’s Practicetoday for a consultation focused on natural beauty and honest advice.
🌐 Book Online Now
📞 Call: 0121 661 2366
📱 WhatsApp: 07388 623527
📷 Instagram: @thedoctorspractice
📍 Located in Edgbaston, Birmingham | 📅 Appointments available 7 days a week
🔗 Visit our website: www.thedoctorspractice.co.uk
References
- The Journal of Aesthetic Medicine (2023). Patient expectations vs. reality in aesthetic procedures.
- British Aesthetic Medicine Association Report (2023). The rise of unregulated injectors and patient safety risks.
British Journal of Psychology (2022). The effects of social media filters on body image and self-esteem.