The Medical Board of Australia has released new guidelines that come into affect in September 2025 in order to protect consumers especially potentially vulnerable patients that may seek treatments from misleading, unethical or unsafe advertisements.

RevAesthetic welcomes the new guidelines.  As our core principle of assessments has always been based on a patient-centred-approach, we always focus on fundamental values during patient assessments such as our comprehensive non-surgical consultation which includes medical, psychological and psychological assessments all of which took at least 40 minutes during our initial consultations.  All assessments are performed by the responsible medical practitioner and never delegated to a third party.

The new guidelines help to ensure :-

• public safety as prioritised
• Professional integrity is upheld
• that advertising supports informed decision making rather than promoting misleading or inadequate information.

What are these "Higher Risk" Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures?

They may involves cosmetic cosmetic injectables such as botulinum toxin injections, dermal filler, sclerotherapy or threadlifts.

Some Key Insights of these guidelines are as follows.

1. Patient safety is adhered to.    Advertising should never exploit the insecurities of vulnerable patients.  This is particularly important for those that may have have psychological vulnerabilities such as with body dysmorphic disorder.  The patient safety and wellbeing should always be the priority rather than commercial or financial gain.
2. Clarify over Claims:  Advertising must be truthful, balanced and realistic.  Terminologies such as "safe", "painless" or "perfect" are discouraged unless backed by clear evidence.
3. Use of Testimonials are prohibited.  Patient reviews, before and after praise, or influencer endorsement under the National Law are now banned.  Liking or resharing posts are discouraged.
4. Images used must be genuine and respectful. Photos must be unedited and genuine.  It should avoid sexualisation or idealisation of lifestyle.
5. Realistic outcomes and expectations. Claims of emotional transformation or lifestyle improvement must be backed up by clear evidence.  Advertising must be clear that individual results vary.  This applies to the higher risk cosmetic procedural group such as those that seek cosmetic injectables such as botulinum toxin or dermal fillers.
6. Patients under 18 should not be a target audience!  Content should be tagged as adult content.  Advertising should not be targeted to minors or people under 18 especially at the relevant social media platforms.
7. Transparency regarding the practitioner qualifications.  Titles, specialist recognition or experience must be accurately displayed.
8. Ethical Use of Social Media Influencers. All advertising with the use of social media influencers must comply with the stipulated guidelines for cosmetic injectables, sclerotherapy or threadlifts not just in Melbourne or Tasmania but throughout Australia.
9. Comprehensive Risk Disclosures. Risks should be linked clearly to proper disclosures about the potential risks, side effects, and recovery.  Terminologies such as "quick recovery" or "lunchtime procedure" are discouraged.
10. Clarification of who the guidelines are applicable to.  These guidelines apply to :-

• registered health practitioners
• individuals who are not registered health practitioners, and
• business, partnerships and corporate entities

Summary

These guidelines for higher risk non-surgical cosmetic procedures come into affect in September 2025. 

By aligning the above guidelines, it not only protects patients but also encourages the credibility of responsible health care practitioners in society.

For information regarding our non-surgical cosmetic procedures in Melbourne and Tasmania that are adherent to the guidelines please click the link here.