01Regulatory update · Therapeutic Goods Administration
TGA guidance —
on cosmetic injection services.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has updated its guidance on the advertising of cosmetic injection services. The substance of it is straightforward — prescription-only medicines used in cosmetic injectables cannot be advertised to the public, even indirectly, and a clinical consultation must come first.
02What it covers
Cosmetic injectables —
and what 'advertised' means.
Cosmetic injections are typically used to soften wrinkles or lines around the eyes and forehead (anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers), around the lips and neck (dermal fillers), or to alter the appearance of submental fat (deoxycholic acid). Most cosmetic injectables contain substances scheduled under the Poisons Standard as Schedule 4 — meaning they cannot be advertised to the public.
That restriction applies whether the reference is direct or indirect. A trade name, an acronym, a nickname or a hashtag that a reader could reasonably interpret as a specific prescription-only medicine all fall within scope. The guidance is consistent with the way RevAesthetic has long described its non-surgical service — through clinical assessment, not through product promotion.
More on the potential risks of cosmetic procedures is available on our risks page.
— Dr Kishen Nara, RevAesthetic Melbourne.
03Two themes from the guidance
Advertising —
and the consultation.
The TGA guidance covers two practical themes. The first is what a cosmetic clinic is permitted to say in advertising. The second is what a consultation should look like — and what it should not promise.
Advertising restrictions
- Direct or indirect references to prescription-only substances or product trade names are not permitted in advertising.
- Acronyms, nicknames, abbreviations and hashtags that may be read as references to specific products are also not permitted.
- This applies to anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers and injectable products used for the appearance of submental fat.
- It does not apply to injectables that contain no prescription-only substances.
Consultation principles
- Cosmetic injection services are health-practitioner-led — a clinical consultation comes first.
- The consultation may, or may not, lead to a prescription depending on the clinical assessment.
- Patients are assessed individually for safety and appropriateness, not by a standing protocol.
- Pricing should be transparent, and there should be no expectation that a consultation guarantees a prescription.
04What this means for patients
Read the consultation —
not the brand.
For a patient considering cosmetic injectables, the practical implication is simple. A clinic cannot tell you, in its advertising, exactly which prescription medicine it would use, or recommend a specific brand by name. It can describe a consultation, the kind of clinician you will see, and the assessment that will take place. The choice of medicine, if any, follows from that consultation.
A clinic that promises a specific medicine, brand or result before any clinical assessment is, by definition, not following the guidance. That is a useful filter when weighing options.
For an overview of our non-surgical service, the non-surgical procedures page covers what to expect at a first appointment.
05About the practitioner
Dr Kishen
Nara.
Dr Kishen Nara is a registered medical practitioner. He sees patients across Melbourne, Tasmania and Adelaide. The team at RevAesthetic includes practice manager Cate, Patient Liaison Jenny, and registered nurses, all involved in supporting your enquiry.
All assessments are conducted in line with Medical Board of Australia guidelines. A second medical opinion is encouraged at any stage.
- MBBSBachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery — Monash University
- FACCSM(Surg)Surgical Fellow, Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine
- AHPRARegistered medical practitioner — General Registration MED0001201549
06Enquire
Begin a
conversation.
Consultations are conducted personally by Dr Nara across Melbourne, Tasmania and Adelaide. We respond within one business day. There is a written reflection period before any decision, and a second medical opinion is encouraged at any stage.
07Continue reading
More from
the journal.
- 2025 Medical Board: Higher-Risk Cosmetic Guidelines
What the Medical Board of Australia's advanced guidelines for higher-risk non-surgical procedures mean for patients. - 2025 NSW Health: Suspected Unregulated Anti-Wrinkles
NSW Health update on suspected botulism cases linked to unregulated anti-wrinkle injections. - 2025 Cosmetic Injectables — Beauty Treatment Update
Cosmetic injectables regulation in Australia and what patients should know.
Disclaimer: This article is a plain-language summary of the Therapeutic Goods Administration's guidance on cosmetic injection services. The official TGA documents remain the authoritative source. All cosmetic procedures carry inherent risks and complications. We encourage you to seek a second opinion from a qualified medical professional before any procedure.