The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has repeatedly called for increased protection of psychologically vulnerable patients across the whole aesthetics sector.1,2 It is evident from clinical research that mental health and body image issues are over-represented in the population of patients seeking cosmetic treatments and that they are at elevated risk of a poor outcome.3,4,5
Yet, while cosmetic plastic surgeons are required to complete a pre-surgical assessment with consideration of patients’ psychological needs, this is not yet common practice within the non-surgical aesthetics sector.6 All aesthetic practitioners have a vital role to play in identifying potential areas of psychological vulnerability, putting necessary protections in place, and where needed, referring patients for expert assessment and mental health support.
In terms of potential psychological vulnerabilities and rationale for psychological screening, much of the literature emphasises the particular importance of screening for body dysmorphic disorder…
