Can I Train in Anti-Wrinkle Injections Without Being a Nurse?

Thinking about entering aesthetics without a medical background? Here's what current UK regulations and safety standards say.

Can I Train in Anti-Wrinkle Injections Without Being a Nurse? main banner

Dr Shahd Twijiri

Aesthetic Doctor

20/6/2025

A career in aesthetics is more popular than ever, and many people ask us: “Can I train in anti-wrinkle injections without being a nurse or healthcare professional?” The short answer? Technically, yes - but it’s a firm no from us. Here’s why;

The Legal and Ethical Reality

In the UK, aesthetics remains largely unregulated. This means non-medical practitioners can administer anti-wrinkle injections if they have a prescription from a licensed prescriber. But this doesn't always mean safe or responsible.

Anti-wrinkle injections are medical procedures requiring deep knowledge of facial anatomy, sterile techniques and how to handle complications. Without medical training, the risk of harm increases significantly.

Real Risks You Should Know About

The dangers of unregulated treatments are real. For example, there have been cases where patients were harmed after receiving counterfeit botulinum toxin, containing unsafe ingredients, leading to severe allergic reactions and hospitalisations. These incidents highlight the risks when treatments are performed by unqualified individuals.

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Who Can Train in Anti-Wrinkle Injections?

Following guidance from bodies like the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP), reputable training academies, including ours, training is exclusive to medical professionals for injectable training. Typically, this includes:

Nurses
Midwives
Doctors
Dentists
Pharmacists

Insurance providers also usually require medical qualifications to offer cover for aesthetic treatments. Without insurance, it’s very difficult to practice safely.

Training Options if You’re Not a Nurse

If you don’t have medical training, your route into aesthetics will be different. We recommend working towards gaining medical qualifications to build solid knowledge of anatomy, patient safety and managing complications before moving into injectables.

Meanwhile, you can start with less invasive skin treatments like facials or microneedling. These are safer, have fewer regulatory barriers and provide valuable industry experience while you pursue further qualifications.

Progress Toward Regulation - But We Need More and We Need It Fast!

The UK aesthetics industry is finally seeing some much needed moves toward tighter regulation. The Health and Care Act 2022 introduced a licensing framework for practitioners performing invasive non-surgical procedures like injectables, a vital step to improve patient safety and set clearer legal standards.

From June 1st 2025, nurse and midwife independent prescribers across the UK will be required to conduct face to face consultations before prescribing prescription only medicines (POMs) for non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as botulinum toxin. This update aims to improve patient safety, clinical accountability and align with standards set by other UK health regulators.

Nurses must now hold specific qualifications and prescribe injectable products in person, under clear governance frameworks. While some supported video consultations, the focus has rightly shifted to in-person assessments for better clinical oversight.

NMC research highlighted:

Limited public awareness that these treatments involve prescription medicines
Concerns about unregulated environments and unqualified providers

Clinics and prescribers must update protocols to ensure compliance and we absolutely welcome this necessary shift for safer aesthetic practice. However, despite these important advances, there is still no mandatory national registry of aesthetic practitioners. This means the public cannot easily verify who is properly qualified and trained. This gap in oversight leaves patients exposed to significant risks from unregulated or inadequately trained providers.

The industry urgently needs further comprehensive regulation and it needs it fast, to safeguard patient safety and professional standards.

Our Commitment

At our academy, we support full regulation of the aesthetics sector. We train only qualified medical professionals in injectable treatments because safety, ethics and professionalism must come first.

By ensuring our delegates have the right medical background, we uphold the highest standards of care and help protect patients from harm.

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering a career in aesthetics, remember: anti-wrinkle injections are medical procedures, not just cosmetic treatments. While non-medics can sometimes access parts of the industry, we firmly believe and practice that only medically trained professionals should administer injectables.

If you’d like to learn more about our training courses and eligibility, please get in touch. We’re here to help you take the right steps toward a safe and successful aesthetics career.

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