Safety, risks & informed consent

All procedures carry risk

Any medical procedure can have side effects and complications. Depending on the treatment, these can range from common, temporary and minor — such as redness, swelling, tenderness or bruising at the treated area — through to less common but more significant effects. The specific risks that apply to you, and how likely they are, depend on the treatment, your anatomy and your medical history. They will be explained to you clearly and in full before you decide anything.

What informed consent actually means

Informed consent isn't a form you sign at the end. It's a process: making sure you genuinely understand what a treatment involves, what it can and can't do, the risks and possible complications, the recovery, the likely need for repeat treatment over time, and the alternatives — including choosing not to proceed. Only once that's clear, and your questions are answered, does treatment become an option.

• A clear explanation of the procedure and what it's designed to address
• The material risks and possible complications, specific to you
• What recovery may involve, including time and any temporary effects
• That results vary between individuals, and may need maintenance over time
• The alternatives, including no treatment at all

Assessing suitability

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for every treatment, and part of a proper assessment is identifying when a treatment isn't appropriate — whether for medical reasons, or because it wouldn't serve your goals. Where that's the case, we'll say so. Declining to treat is sometimes the most important part of safe care.

Recovery and aftercare

Recovery varies by individual and by treatment. Some people return to their usual routine quickly; others experience temporary effects that take time to settle. We'll give you clear, specific aftercare guidance for your treatment, and a point of contact if you have questions afterwards.

If you have a concern

You're entitled to raise a concern about any aspect of your care at any time. We'll always give you the information you need to do so; open, accountable care is part of the standard we hold ourselves to.