Find a doctor specialising in aesthetic medicine: qualifications, consultation and safety

Cosmetic treatments are offered by a wide variety of providers in Germany, and the terminology can be difficult for laypeople to understand. As some of the risks associated with minimally invasive procedures depend directly on the practitioner’s experience, it is worth doing some research beforehand. This article explains what to look out for.

Key points at a glance

• ‘Aesthetic medicine’ is not a protected specialist title. It is the medical licence and the respective specialist titles that are protected.
• Botulinum toxin is available on prescription only. Prescription-only medicines may only be dispensed on the basis of a prescription from a doctor, dentist or veterinary surgeon.
• A good consultation begins with an examination and does not necessarily end with a treatment recommendation.
• Whether a practice is prepared for complications is the safety criterion that is most frequently overlooked.

What ‘Aesthetic Medicine’ encompasses

The term encompasses a wide range of procedures, from injections and laser treatments to surgical procedures. Accordingly, the doctors providing treatment come from a range of specialist fields, frequently including dermatology, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and ear, nose and throat medicine.

There is no official specialist qualification in aesthetic medicine. What does exist are additional qualifications, further training courses and certificates from various professional associations and providers, which vary considerably in scope and requirements. A certificate therefore means little on its own unless it is clear who awarded it and what evidence was required to obtain it.

The legal situation varies significantly depending on the substances used. Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine. Such medicines may only be dispensed on the basis of a prescription from a doctor, dentist or veterinary surgeon. Non-medical practitioners are therefore not legally permitted to obtain or use them.

Fillers, on the other hand, are medical devices. For fillers used exclusively for aesthetic purposes, European regulations require that the labelling and instructions for use include a statement that the product may only be administered by appropriately trained healthcare professionals who are qualified or authorised under national law. This wording is deliberately more open-ended than for other aesthetic products, for which the same regulation expressly requires doctors. Who specifically falls into this category under German law is a matter of legal interpretation that cannot be conclusively answered here. Irrespective of this, the following applies: injection procedures require anatomical knowledge and the ability to manage complications. It is also mandatory to include a warning that fillers must not be used on persons under the age of 18.

Which qualification is relevant to your enquiry

The actual title of the medical specialist is particularly revealing, as it requires several years of accredited specialist training. Which one is appropriate depends on the issue at hand: for skin-related issues, dermatological expertise is the obvious choice; for surgical procedures, plastic surgery; and for treatments in the facial area, experience with the anatomy of this region is also required.

However, the question of how frequently a practice carries out the desired procedure is practically more meaningful than any list of titles. With injection-based procedures, routine is key, because a significant part of safety lies in being familiar with high-risk areas and recognising complications at an early stage. The specialist literature explicitly attributes the frequency and severity of procedure-related side effects to the practitioner’s experience.

You can then ask these questions openly during the consultation. A reputable practice will answer such questions without evading them.

What makes for a good consultation

The first step is a consultation, not a quote. This involves assessing your face both in motion and at rest, taking details of any pre-existing conditions, medications, allergies and previous cosmetic treatments, and discussing your specific concerns in detail.

This should be followed by an explanation of which procedure is being recommended and why, what can and cannot be achieved with it, what alternatives are available and what risks are involved. In the case of botulinum toxin, this must also include a statement as to whether the planned use is covered by the product’s marketing authorisation. The costs must also be clearly set out, including any follow-up treatments.

One point is often overlooked: a good consultation includes the possibility that no treatment will be prescribed at the end. If the desired change cannot be achieved with the procedure, this should be stated. A conversation from which you always walk away with an appointment was not a consultation.

There should also be enough time between receiving information and treatment to allow you to make a decision at your leisure. Whilst treatment immediately following the initial consultation may be convenient, it does not give you time to think it over.

Why complication management is crucial

Serious complications are rare with injection procedures. However, the outcome depends heavily on how quickly and appropriately a response is given. That is why preparedness is a measure of quality that you can enquire about in advance.

Specifically, this means: For hyaluronic acid fillers, is hyaluronidase in stock, which can be used to dissolve the material? How can you contact the practice outside of consultation hours if you notice anything unusual after the treatment? Is there an agreed follow-up appointment? And is it documented which product was used, in what quantity and in which area, so that you can obtain this information? For fillers, European regulations stipulate a separate section in the product documentation where the location, number and volume of the injections are recorded.

These questions are straightforward to ask and, in our experience, effectively distinguish between a medically run practice and a service offering treatment only.

Red flags in counselling and marketing

There are certain indicators that suggest a service is unsuitable, regardless of its presentation:

• Assurances regarding the outcome or wording that promises a specific result
• Time-limited discounts, package deals or pressure to book immediately
• Treatments without a prior consultation and examination
• No information, or only brief information, on risks and alternatives
• Evasive answers to questions about qualifications, experience or the management of complications
• Treatments outside medical premises, for example at events or at home
• The suggestion to deal with several regions at the same time, even though your original enquiry does not require this

The last point relates to a common experience: a question about a particular area can turn into a comprehensive treatment plan during a consultation. It is perfectly fine to steer the conversation back to your own concerns or to ask for some time to think it over.

If you want to compare medical practices in your area, it is helpful to look at their location and the services they actually offer. Find aesthetic medicine practitioners near you

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a beauty salon allowed to administer botulinum toxin injections?

No. Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine, and such medicines are only dispensed on the basis of a prescription from a doctor, dentist or vet. A beauty salon without medical supervision cannot legally obtain or use it.

And what about fillers?

The legal situation is different for fillers, as they are classified as medical devices. It is a legal requirement to state that they may only be administered by appropriately trained healthcare professionals who are qualified or authorised under national law. Exactly how this group is to be defined in Germany is a matter of legal dispute. This does not alter the fact that this is an invasive procedure with the potential for serious complications.

Is a low price a warning sign?

Prices that are not automatically low but are conspicuously so raise questions: about the product used, the time spent, the practitioner’s qualifications and whether follow-up care is included. Conversely, a high price is no guarantee of quality.

What can I do if I am dissatisfied with the result?

First, contact the practice providing your treatment, ideally as soon as possible and with a detailed description of the issue. Depending on the procedure and the situation, there may be various courses of action to consider. If you have any doubts about the treatment, you can also contact another medical practice or seek advice from the relevant medical association.

How can I tell if a practice has experience with my particular issue?

Ask directly how often the procedure is carried out there and how complications are dealt with. It is not so much the answer itself that is revealing, but rather the willingness to give a specific answer without evading the question.

Classification

When it comes to cosmetic treatments, it is not so much the product that determines the outcome as the person administering it and the care taken before and after the procedure. A practice that carries out examinations, provides clear information, sets out the limits and prepares you for any complications offers you greater peace of mind than any advertising claim.

On the doctors’ map, you can find practices organised by location and the services they offer. The information is provided by the practices themselves; inclusion in the directory does not replace your own checks. View aesthetic medicine practitioners by region

Facts checked as at 20 August 2026. Key topics reviewed: classification of botulinum toxin under pharmaceutical law pursuant to Section 48 of the German Medicines Act (AMG); requirements regarding the user group for dermal fillers under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2346, Annex IV, compared with Annexes III and V; age limit, documentation requirements, statements on specialist titles and additional qualifications, and management of complications. A legal review is required regarding the scope of the term ‘healthcare professionals’ under German law; the text remains deliberately open on this point.