Under-18 Treatment Policy

HAUS OF ÄSTHETIK

Under-18 Treatment Policy

Effective Date: 25th May 2025

Review Date: 25th May 2026

Approved by: Managing Director

Version: 1.0

 

1. Purpose

This policy sets out the clinical, ethical, and legal framework for providing treatment to individuals aged 13 to 17 at HAUS OF ÄSTHETIK. It ensures regulatory compliance, protects patient welfare, and limits treatment scope to clinically indicated services. This policy has been introduced following further practitioner training and is aligned with CQC, Save Face, GMC, NMC, and MHRA guidelines.

 

2. Scope of Policy

This policy applies to:

  • All staff involved in clinical decision-making

  • Any service user aged between 13 and 17

  • All consultations, prescriptions, and treatments offered to this age group

 

3. Permitted Treatments for Under-18s

Only the following treatments may be provided to patients aged 13–17:

  • Mesoestetic Blemiderm Chemical Peels

    • For the clinical treatment of:

      • Active acne

      • Post-acne scarring

     

4. Age Eligibility

  • Minimum age: 13 years old

  • Patients must be assessed as Gillick competent before proceeding (see Section 6)

  • Individuals under 13 years old are not eligible for treatment at this clinic under any circumstances.

 

5. Treatments Not Permitted for Under-18s

The following are strictly excluded for patients under 18:

  • Any aesthetic injectables (e.g. botulinum toxin, dermal fillers)

  • Fat-dissolving treatments (e.g. Lemon Bottle, Aqualyx)

  • Skin boosters (e.g. Profhilo, Redensity, Jalupro)

  • Thread lifting (PDO, COG)

  • Body treatments, weight loss treatments, PRP, or microneedling

  • Retail product purchases containing prescription-strength actives (unless prescribed via GP or under supervision of a pharmacist)

 

6. Consent & Gillick Competence Assessment

  • For patients under 16, a Gillick competence assessment must be carried out by a registered health professional.

  • Where a patient is assessed as not Gillick competent, written parental consent must be obtained.

  • A parent or guardian must attend the initial consultation for all individuals under 16

  • For 16–17-year-olds, standard consent applies, though a best interest and safeguarding approach must still be used.

  • All ID and consent documentation must be retained on file in line with the Consent & Record Keeping Policy.

 

7. Safeguarding & Duty of Care

  • All under-18 consultations and treatments must be conducted in accordance with the clinic’s Safeguarding Policy, and the Safeguarding Lead must be notified before any new patient under 18 is booked.

  • Staff must remain alert to potential indicators of abuse, neglect, or coercion.

  • Where any safeguarding concerns arise, the DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead) will manage referrals to social care or other agencies.

 

8. Medical Oversight & Documentation

  • All under-18 patients must have a complete medical history taken and documented.

  • Baseline photographs must be taken and stored securely

  • Follow-up reviews must be scheduled after each treatment

  • Any adverse events must be reported via the clinic’s incident management process and, where appropriate, to the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme

 

9. Staff Responsibilities

  • Only qualified, trained clinicians may treat under-18s

  • All treating professionals must complete mandatory Safeguarding Level 3 training

  • Any deviation from this policy must be reported to the Clinical Governance Lead

 

10. Review and Compliance Monitoring

  • This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if regulations or clinical guidance change.

  • Audit of under-18 cases will be included in quarterly clinical governance review meetings.

  • Any breaches will be investigated and escalated as per the Incident & Disciplinary Procedure.

 

Signed:

Owen Thomas Dickinson


Date: 25th August 2025