Important Patient Information & AHPRA Guidelines

Transparency, Safety & Your Rights

At Skindeep, we’re committed to open and honest care. We believe our clients deserve clear information and full transparency around their treatments, safety, and rights.

As part of our commitment to ethical practice, we are providing access to updated information aligned with the upcoming AHPRA and National Board guidelines for non-surgical cosmetic procedures — coming into effect 2 September 2025. These new protections ensure greater safety and accountability across the industry.

Choose a Qualified Cosmetic Health Practitioner

Cosmetic Procedures & Patient Rights

No matter how simple it may seem, every cosmetic procedure or surgery carries risk. Even if you’ve done it before, it’s important that you think carefully about your decision every time. Here are some things you should consider to make sure you are fully informed.

When considering non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers, or skin treatments, it’s important to choose a health practitioner who is qualified, experienced, and registered to practise in Australia.

Always check the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) online register to confirm your provider is a Division 1 Registered Nurse with appropriate registration and training in cosmetic medicine. If you can’t find them on the register, don’t hesitate to ask for their registration number — your safety comes first.

At SkinnDeep, all treatments are performed by a highly experienced RN with over 17 years in cosmetic injectables, ensuring clinical excellence and patient care at every step.

Cosmetic injectables and
how they work ?

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and National Boards have published advance copies of the guidelines that relate to the updated version around cosmetic - procedures & Cosmetic procedure advertising, for your convenience you can click the links below to take a closer look. Their aim is to strengthen safeguards across the industry when they come into effect on 2nd of September 2025.

https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Cosmetic-surgery-hub/Cosmetic-procedure-guidelines.aspx

https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Cosmetic-surgery-hub/Cosmetic-procedure-advertising-guidelines.aspx

Cosmetic Procedure Advertising

The advertising changes include a focus on higher risk procedures, requiring advertisements to contain information about the practitioner performing the procedures, strengthening the ban on the use of testimonials from social media influencers and putting measures in place to stop the trivialisation or sexualisation of a cosmetic procedure.

This industry relies heavily on having a social media presence, so practitioners have been put on notice that their advertising must comply with the new guidelines when they come into effect on the 2nd of September 2025.

With more professions being enticed to the lucrative cosmetic procedures industry, the regulator is futureproofing the system by having guidelines for all registered health practitioners. Further training or education will be necessary for many practitioners wanting to expand their scope of practice into non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Young Australians will be protected with targeted advertising banned and a seven-day cooling off period for those under the age of 18. The guidelines come into effect 2 September 2025 with advance copies available now.

Cosmetic injectables are non-surgical treatments that help smooth wrinkles, relax facial muscles, and restore volume for a refreshed, natural look. Anti-wrinkle injections target muscle movement to soften lines, while dermal fillers add hydration and shape to areas like the lips, cheeks, and jawline. Results are subtle, effective, and require minimal downtime. The two main types of injectable substances used are:

botulinum toxin type A (sometimes known as ‘Botox or Dysport), which temporarily paralyses the facial muscles that cause wrinkles, and
Dermal fillers, which plump out wrinkles or other parts of the face.

These types of injectables are prescription only medicines (schedule 4 medicines). This means that only authorised registered health practitioners can prescribe them.

Before your first cosmetic injectable treatment, your nurse will arrange a quick telehealth (e.g. Skype) consultation with a doctor. This is a legal requirement, as anti-wrinkle and filler products are prescription-only medicines. The doctor will review your medical history, assess your suitability, and issue the prescription — ensuring your treatment is safe, informed, and compliant with current guidelines.

You can't FAKE Experience

AHPRA Patient Support Hotline

The Hotline is run by a specialised team supporting the newly established Cosmetic Surgery Enforcement Unit. This team understands the challenges for patients who are unsure about whether to report their experiences and where to report their experiences. The team can help patients to share relevant information and guide them through the process.

Your safety and peace of mind matter to us. If you have any concerns about a treatment reaction, or if you’d like a second opinion, we offer a dedicated Patient Support Hotline.

📞 Contact us directly for guidance, reassurance, or urgent follow-up care. Our team is here to support you every step of the way.

The Cosmetic Surgery Hotline – 1300 361 041

What medicines, medical devices or other health products are being used?

The procedure or surgery you are considering will likely involve a medicine and/or medical device. You can check that any medicine and/or medical device that will be used in the procedure or surgery is approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). You can check whether a medicine or medical device is approved for supply by looking for it in the... click the link

https://www.tga.gov.au/products/australian-register-therapeutic-goods-artg

Who Can Carry Out the Procedure?

Anyone claiming to be a doctor, dentist or nurse, must be registered to practice in Australia. You can check on the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) website at www.ahpra.gov.au. This is where you can make sure the practitioners involved in your procedure are registered in Australia.

However, registration may not be enough to ensure the person carrying out the procedure is qualified, skilled and experienced to carry out the procedure.

Ask questions such as:

Are you registered to practise in Australia?
What training have you had? Where did you train?
How many times have you done this procedure before?
How long have you been working in the area of cosmetics?
Have you ever had a bad outcome? What happened and why?
What are the likely results of this procedure and what can go wrong?
What happens if something goes wrong? Which emergency procedures are in place?

Have I Been Given Enough Information to Provide Informed Consent?

Before undergoing any non-surgical cosmetic treatment, such as anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers, or advanced skin therapies, it’s essential that you’re given clear, thorough information to make an informed decision.

At our clinic, your cosmetic nurse (Division 1 Registered Nurse) will provide you with:

A detailed explanation of the treatment, how it works, and what to expect
Risks, side effects, and possible complications
Recovery time, aftercare instructions, and any follow-up needed
A full breakdown of treatment costs, deposits, payment schedules, and any potential costs for additional treatment
Information about our complaints process, so you always know how to raise a concern if needed

You’ll always be given time and space to ask questions, consider your options, and feel confident in your decision before proceeding.

Your trust, comfort, and safety are our top priorities.

Who Can Perform Cosmetic Injectables in Australia?

✅ Medical Practitioners (Doctors):
Must be registered with AHPRA. They can prescribe and administer injectables.

✅ Registered Nurses (Division 1 RNs) & Nurse Practitioners:
Must be registered with AHPRA and work under the supervision or in collaboration with a prescribing doctor. A doctor must provide a consultation (in person or via telehealth) before the first treatment.

✅ Dentists:
Qualified dentists registered with AHPRA can also perform injectables, especially for treatments around the mouth and jaw.

🚫 Beauty therapists or unqualified individuals are not legally allowed to inject or prescribe cosmetic injectables in Australia.

1️⃣ Qualified & AHPRA-Registered Practitioner

Always ensure your injector is a Registered Nurse (Division 1), Nurse Practitioner, Doctor, or Dentist and is listed on the AHPRA register. Unqualified providers put your health at serious risk.

2️⃣ Medical Consultation & Consent

Before your first treatment, a prescribing doctor must conduct a consultation (in person or via telehealth). You should receive detailed information about the procedure, risks, aftercare, and costs — and give informed consent before going ahead.

3️⃣ Safe, Sterile, and Professional Environment

Treatments should be performed in a clinical setting, not at home parties or salons. Look for clean facilities, proper hygiene practices, emergency protocols, and access to follow-up care if needed.

What are the other risks? Remember that all procedures carry risks; nothing is completely risk-free. We want to help you understand the risks so you are aware of them before having a procedure. Make sure you that you know what to expect before, during and after the procedure. This includes knowing that a registered health practitioner will provide you with appropriate after care, especially if you experience any side effects or complications. There are many possible side effects and complications associated with cosmetic procedures that involve an injectable substance. Ask questions such as: What are the common side-effects of this injectable? How can I recognize a complication that requires a practitioner's attention? What are the expected side-effects? This table includes some of the possible side effects or complications for the two most commonly used products. More information is available in the consumer medicines information leaflet included in the packaging.

Botulinum toxin type A

redness
swelling at the injection site
bruising
skin tightness
drooping of the eyelids
headache
face pain
muscle weakness
numbness or a feeling of pins and needles
nausea, and/or
blurred vision.

⚠️ Important Client Alert – Post-Treatment Concerns

If you experience a reaction or concern after a cosmetic injectable treatment, please contact your original practitioner first.

Your treating nurse or doctor is the most qualified to assess the situation and guide you through the appropriate next steps. They understand your treatment history, product used, and how best to manage any issues — including potential treatment with Hylase (for dissolving dermal filler), if required.

DERMAL FILLERS

bruising
swelling and redness at the site where you were injected
itching
skin discolouration
vascular occlusion (blocked blood vessel which causes skin tissue death)
permanent blindness
double vision
stroke
bleeding
infection (bacterial or viral)
ulceration of the skin where you were injected
lumps (nodules) forming under the skin
allergic reaction
inflammatory reactions
haematoma (a collection of blood under the skin or in the deeper tissues)
permanent disfigurement and scarring as a result of one of the above, and/or
weakness of the muscles of the face, head and neck, which can cause difficulty swallowing or speaking.

⚠️ Neurotoxin (anti-wrinkle injections) cannot be dissolved, but concerns can often be addressed or monitored over time.

Hospitals and GPs may not be equipped to manage cosmetic-specific complications, so your practitioner remains your best point of contact. Always attend your scheduled 2-week review to discuss any changes, results, or concerns.

📞 When in doubt, call us first — we're here to support you.

At Skindeep Aesthetics, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of transparency, integrity, and professionalism. We strictly adhere to all the latest regulations set forth by the SDA and relevant governing bodies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our clients. Our priority is to provide a supportive and trustworthy environment where every client feels fully informed, comfortable, and confident in the treatments they receive. We strive to deliver exceptional care and outstanding results, and we are dedicated to ensuring your experience with us is safe, positive, and tailored to your individual needs.