{"id":26596,"date":"2025-07-04T11:53:20","date_gmt":"2025-07-04T10:53:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/?p=26596"},"modified":"2025-12-12T09:39:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T09:39:08","slug":"how-to-start-an-aesthetics-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/how-to-start-an-aesthetics-business","title":{"rendered":"How to start an aesthetics business"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/aesthetics-business-shutterstock-edit.png\" alt=\"An aesthetics practitioner who's just learned how to start an aesthetics business treats a client on a table\" class=\"wp-image-26605\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:300px;height:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/aesthetics-business-shutterstock-edit.png 600w, https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/aesthetics-business-shutterstock-edit-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>In this guide:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#rules-regs-1\">Rules and regulations<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#training-qualifications-1\">Training and qualifications<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#premises-1\">Deciding on your business premises<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#sole-trader-lmtd-co-1\">Sole trader vs limited company<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#costs-1\">Estimating your costs<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#business-plan-1\">Writing a business plan<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Planning your <a href=\"#banking-accounting-1\">finances<\/a> and <a href=\"#marketing-social-media-1\">marketing<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#health-safety-1\">Health and safety considerations<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#aesthetics-insurance-1\">Insurance you&#8217;ll need<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"intro-1\">So, you\u2019re thinking about starting an aesthetics business?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s never been a better time to do it. In 2023, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rare.consulting\/blog\/how-the-uk-medical-aesthetics-market-is-evolving\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">7.7 million people in the UK had an aesthetic treatment<\/a>. That\u2019s 11% of the population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, the industry is now <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axiomflux.co.uk\/uk-aesthetic-industry-market-report-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">worth an estimated \u00a33.2 billion in the UK<\/a>. There are plenty of customers, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/aesthetics-industry-statistics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">it\u2019s only projected to grow further<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But you probably already knew it was a good idea. What you\u2019re really wondering is: <em>how<\/em> do I start an aesthetics business?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this beginner\u2019s guide, we\u2019ll go through the essentials of how to start your own aesthetics business. As well as giving you a rundown of the safety, legal, and regulatory stuff you\u2019ll need to know. Hopefully, it\u2019ll give you a good starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Without further ado\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rules-regs-1\"><strong>Setting expectations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"rules-regs\">Before we get further, it\u2019s important to set some expectations you should have when starting an aesthetics business in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently, aesthetics is a fragmented industry when it comes to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/a-guide-to-aesthetics-regulations-uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rules and regulations<\/a>. At the moment, the UK\u2019s laws mainly focus on two areas: prescription-only drugs (like Botox), and the safety of your work premises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are <strong>no<\/strong> legal requirements for administering <strong>non-surgical <\/strong>aesthetic treatments in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, expect this to change in the next few years. <a href=\"https:\/\/consult.gov.scot\/healthcare-quality-and-improvement\/regulation-of-non-surgical-cosmetic-procedures\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Scotland is actively working on stronger laws for the aesthetics industry<\/a>. And the rest of the UK is expected to follow suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, before you start your new aesthetics business, make sure you have the right mindset. Focus on your customers\u2019 safety and well-being. Get the right qualifications. Try and stay ahead of potential new laws from the outset. And join a governing body that supports you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"training-qualifications-1\"><strong>Training and qualifications<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"training-qualifications\">Having the right training and qualifications is vital when planning to start your own aesthetics business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They affect your ability to get insurance, register with governing bodies, and give your customers confidence that you\u2019re a responsible and safe aesthetician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on your experience, background, and what kind of treatments you want to provide, your requirements will differ from other aestheticians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A governing body will be the best place to find out what you need. They have strict rules for joining, including training and qualifications you\u2019ll need to have. These are a perfect guide for what you need to aim for before you can start your aesthetics business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re going to offer non-surgical treatments, and you don\u2019t have any formal medical or nursing qualifications, you\u2019ll want to join a non-medical governing body. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.babtac.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology<\/a> (BABTAC)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/habia.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hair and Beauty Industry Authority<\/a> (Habia)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhbf.co.uk\/about-the-nhbf\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Hairdressing and Beauty Federation<\/a> (NHBF)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spa-uk.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UK Spa Association<\/a> (UKSA).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re medically trained and want to offer non-surgical treatments, you\u2019ll probably already be a part of a governing body. Before starting your business, double-check what their requirements are for both prescribing and treating your customers. If you\u2019re not yet part of one, here are some examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gmc-uk.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">General Medical Council<\/a> (GMC)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gdc-uk.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">General Dental Council<\/a> (GDC)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nmc.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nursing and Midwifery Council<\/a> (NMC).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Whichever governing body you choose, follow their advice carefully. They\u2019ll set you on the right path for current and future regulatory compliance. And help make sure you\u2019re eligible for all the different kinds of insurance you\u2019ll need (more on that later).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oh, and before you start signing up for training courses, always make sure they\u2019re run by an accredited provider. They should be able to show you evidence of their accreditation. Like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vtctskills.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">VTCT<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cpduk.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CPD<\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/organisations\/ofqual\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">OFQUAL<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"premises-1\"><strong>Where, when, and how<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"premises\">Next up, you need to consider <em>how <\/em>you\u2019ll operate and <em>where <\/em>that\u2019ll be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You have a few options here. You can be a mobile aesthetician, where your clients book in and you visit them to carry out treatments. You could <a href=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/aesthetics-from-home-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">base your business out of your home<\/a>, having clients visit you. Or, you could rent your premises (think of this like setting up on the high street).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This might seem like a simple choice, but there are a few things you should consider carefully before deciding on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Overheads<\/strong> \u2013 things like rent, utility bills, and fuel costs will differ depending on what you choose.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Your long-term plans for the business<\/strong> \u2013 do you want to open multiple locations? Or are you looking for something that&#8217;ll fit around your other responsibilities? What are your goals?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Client experience<\/strong> \u2013 what kind of clients do you want to attract? What kind of an experience will they want?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Insurance<\/strong> \u2013 depending on how you decide to operate, you\u2019ll need different kinds of insurance. Which will come with different price tags and requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>What started as a simple question has ballooned into a thousand more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It seems daunting but take it step-by-step. Consider your budget, why you\u2019re starting the business, and what your goals are. You\u2019ll naturally arrive at the conclusion that should work best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oh, and be prepared to spend some time doing in-depth research on each option. It\u2019s well worth weighing up your options carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sole-trader-lmtd-co-1\"><strong>Choose the right business structure<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"sole-trader-lmtd-co\">When you start your aesthetics business, you\u2019ll need to think about whether you register as a sole trader or a limited company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a breakdown of the differences, including some pros and cons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/How-to-start-an-aesthetics-business-table-1-1200-x-300-px.png\" alt=\"The pros and cons between being a sole trader and a limited company\" class=\"wp-image-26626\" style=\"width:800px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/How-to-start-an-aesthetics-business-table-1-1200-x-300-px.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/How-to-start-an-aesthetics-business-table-1-1200-x-300-px-300x75.png 300w, https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/How-to-start-an-aesthetics-business-table-1-1200-x-300-px-1024x256.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/How-to-start-an-aesthetics-business-table-1-1200-x-300-px-768x192.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Obviously, the choice between the two is far more nuanced than that simple comparison. Do your own research and make sure you understand your options fully before making your choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019d suggest checking out the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/set-up-business\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">government\u2019s business set up guide<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"costs-1\"><strong>Estimate your costs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"costs\">This is the part where we enter the murky world of estimating your costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It can feel like you\u2019ve got one hand on a crystal ball before you\u2019ve even started. But it\u2019s important to at least get an <em>idea <\/em>of what your monthly costs will look like. That way you can draw up an initial budget and prepare your finances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, let\u2019s take a look at an example of some one-off start-up costs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"850\" src=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/How-to-start-an-aesthetics-business-table-2.png\" alt=\"An infographic on how to choose the right business structure\" class=\"wp-image-26597\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/How-to-start-an-aesthetics-business-table-2.png 600w, https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/How-to-start-an-aesthetics-business-table-2-212x300.png 212w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can probably tell, it can cost a fair bit to get things off the ground. Think of these costs as an investment in your aesthetics business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Give yourself peace of mind by setting a realistic budget and sticking to it. The earlier you start planning financially, the less the risk of overspending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve got your initial costs mapped out, you\u2019ll need to think about your monthly costs. Things like rent, restocking products, any software you use (booking, payments, website etc), utilities, and marketing are a few examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"business-plan-1\"><strong>Write an aesthetics business plan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"business-plan\">A big part of planning for the future of your business is writing a business plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ideally, you should write this before you get started. It gives you a trajectory for your business, guides you on how you want to grow, sets out a strategy for pricing, and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It takes some time to write a good aesthetics business plan, but it\u2019s an investment that will pay back in spades as time goes on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can do this all yourself or, if you have the budget, hire a business consultant to give you a hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The government have produced a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/write-business-plan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">variety of resources to help you write your own business plan<\/a>. Including free templates, examples, and detailed guides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"banking-accounting-1\"><strong>Stay on top of your finances<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"banking-accounting\">So, you\u2019ve budgeted at the outset, estimated your costs, and you\u2019re up and running. Now it\u2019s time to stay on top of your finances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First off, set up a business bank account. If you\u2019re a limited company, you\u2019ll need to do this for legal reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sole traders don\u2019t need to have a business account. But it does help to keep your personal and business funds separate. Which can make things a lot less confusing when you\u2019re running the numbers at the end of the month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.moneysavingexpert.com\/banking\/business-bank-account\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MoneySavingExpert have a great resource on business bank accounts<\/a> that\u2019ll answer any extra questions you have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tracking your income and expenses from day one is vitally important. Make this a part of your day-to-day routine. It\u2019ll help you stay on top of your business\u2019 finances. And reduce the likelihood of any end-of-the-month, panicked all-nighters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bookkeeping tools like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/?utm_source=GOOGLE&amp;utm_medium=paidsearch&amp;utm_campaign=UK%7CGoogle%7CContent\/Brand%7CBrand_Brand\/MainSageMain(tROAS-E)NA_CONBRND_&amp;utm_adgroup=Brand_Brand\/Sage(E)%7CMain\/NA&amp;ppc_keyword=&amp;utm_term=sage&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=206557523&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAD2hl8cnwO3vyhkHFUoR0ftNOZWaC&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw1JjDBhDjARIsABlM2SsDS_dScmXIvL8IdJt9wD73ndKT0HiWUcyG-yswIOJ-a9d8DY013foaAulTEALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sage<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.xero.com\/uk\/try-now\/sage-alternative\/?utm_source=GOOGLE&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=UK+-+NB+-+LF+-+SMB+-+Competitor+-+Competitor&amp;utm_content=Sage&amp;utm_term=sage&amp;ds_kid=43700080348127717&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=21398312594&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAD0EBI2ZY3LY4YCnnNYtMNErHDqZf&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw1JjDBhDjARIsABlM2SsWKyeX1KOVNjN0y4LNlL5lCcLB3wom-OTkgA4Dgz4Wv4oYJW-gxWgaAtVnEALw_wcB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Xero<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/quickbooks.intuit.com\/uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">QuickBooks<\/a> can help with this. They\u2019re also more secure than storing your accounts on a spreadsheet or Google doc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on your budget, you could also consider hiring an accountant or bookkeeper. This would allow you to focus on other areas of the business and reduce some of the admin load.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If an accountant or bookkeeper is out of the reach in the beginning, you should read up on your tax obligations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a sole trader, you\u2019ll need to complete a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/self-assessment-tax-returns\">self-assessment<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/self-assessment-tax-returns\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> tax return<\/a> every year. HMRC have written a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/check-what-taxes-may-apply-to-you-as-a-sole-trader\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">guide for sole traders on tax obligations and rules<\/a> that you should have a read of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Limited companies have to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/prepare-file-annual-accounts-for-limited-company\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">prepare an annual accounts report and company tax return<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"marketing-social-media-1\"><strong>Get your name out there<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"marketing-social-media\">One of the biggest challenges when you start your new business is letting people know that you exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thankfully, there are lots of ways of doing this that are free and don\u2019t take too much time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, you\u2019re going to want to come up with a name, logo, and brand for your business. If you have the budget, a designer or marketing agency could help you. Or, you can do it yourself with a tool like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Canva<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/pixlr.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixlr<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you first start an aesthetics business, social media is crucial for making people aware that you exist. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/explore?kuid=31b6d78a-c086-437f-9ab0-df56eaf7fd8b&amp;kref=vGWRdzLJnjYf\">TikTok<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a> are going to be especially important for aesthetics. Showing off your work, letting customers speak about their experience with you, and showing customers what they can expect when they visit you, are a few ideas you can try to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the beginning, promotions are a great way of developing a strong customer base. Launch discounts, stamp cards, refer-a-friend offers&#8230;anything to get your business out there and encourage customers to tell their friends about you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also use Google to your advantage. Even if you have no idea what search engine optimisation (SEO) is or how Google works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To get started, set up a <a href=\"https:\/\/business.google.com\/uk\/business-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Business Profile<\/a>. It\u2019ll help your aesthetics business get some visibility in local searches. Best of all, it\u2019s free and easy to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"health-safety-1\"><strong>Consider client safety<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"health-safety\">One of your top responsibilities as an aesthetics business owner is the safety of your customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you join a governing body, you\u2019ll be expected to follow to a variety of rules around customer safety. If you slip up on these, you could find your membership revoked. As well as taking a serious dent to your reputation and your ability to trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most training courses you\u2019ll complete will include sections on safety, hygiene, infection control, patch testing, and more. Pay close attention to these and make sure you\u2019re following them strictly when treating your customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you\u2019re considering your consultation process, you\u2019ll need to include a medical history questionnaire, ask about any underlying conditions, and set your expectations for the treatment clearly with the customer. Make sure they understand any potential risks and, ideally, have some sort of cool-down period to allow customers to think about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll also need a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/why-you-need-a-botox-consent-form\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">consent form<\/a> that all customers will sign before their treatment. This form should outline the treatment and reiterate any risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After any treatments, provide clear and easy to understand aftercare instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, keep up-to-date treatment records for every customer. This is a requirement for most governing bodies and insurers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aesthetics-insurance-1\"><strong>Protect your aesthetics business with the right insurance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"aesthetics-insurance\">Accidents happen. At some point, you\u2019ll be faced with a situation that nobody wants to be in: a treatment has gone wrong and a client isn\u2019t happy with the outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Or, a vital piece of equipment breaks down, making it impossible to deliver a treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whatever kind of sticky situation you find yourself in, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/aesthetics-insurance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">aesthetics insurance<\/a> is there to protect your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you start your aesthetics business, speak to an insurance broker. They\u2019ll be able to guide you on what cover you need, the limits you should have, and the cost of your insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a quick breakdown of the types of insurance you\u2019ll probably need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/public-liability-insurance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Public liability (PL) insurance<\/a> \u2013 if a customer injures themselves on your property (and it\u2019s deemed your fault), PL will pay for your legal fees and any compensation you might owe.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/medical-malpractice-insurance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Medical malpractice insurance<\/a> \u2013 the big one for aestheticians. This covers you when you make a mistake during a treatment, leading to a customer\u2019s injury, illness, or death. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/business-contents-insurance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Business contents insurance<\/a> \u2013 if you\u2019re running your business from your home or a rented premises, business contents will pay to repair or replace broken, damaged, or stolen assets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/portable-equipment-insurance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Portable equipment insurance<\/a> \u2013 if you\u2019re running a mobile aesthetics business, this pays to repair or replace your equipment if it\u2019s damaged, lost, or stolen when you\u2019re out and about.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you plan on starting out with any employees, you\u2019ll also need <a href=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/employers-liability-insurance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">employers\u2019 liability insurance<\/a> by law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Starting out strong<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Starting an aesthetics business is an exciting and nerve-wracking time. There\u2019s so much to think about and it can quickly get overwhelming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take it step by step and don\u2019t try to do everything overnight. If you can, make a plan and break down each task into smaller sub-tasks. This\u2019ll help make the whole process feel more achievable and enjoyable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We also spoke about aesthetics insurance. That\u2019s an area of expertise for us. We\u2019ve put together loads more information about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/a-guide-to-aesthetics-regulations-uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">aesthetics regulations<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/do-you-need-a-licence-to-give-botox\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">specific treatments like Botox<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/small-business-insurance-needs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">general tips on small business insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have any questions about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/aesthetics-insurance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">aesthetics insurance<\/a> or ready to talk to a broker? Give us a call on <strong>0345 222 5391.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Image used under license from Shutterstock.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this guide: So, you\u2019re thinking about starting an aesthetics business? There\u2019s never been a better time to do it. In 2023, 7.7 million people in the UK had an aesthetic treatment. That\u2019s 11% of the population. What\u2019s more, the &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/how-to-start-an-aesthetics-business\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[290,132,289],"tags":[255,256,310,314,270,140,309,263],"class_list":["post-26596","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-self-employed-and-freelance-advice","category-small-business-advice","category-treatment-liability","tag-aesthetics","tag-beauty-therapists","tag-business-advice","tag-business-guides","tag-medical-malpractice","tag-running-a-business","tag-starting-a-business","tag-treatment-professional-liability"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\r\n<title>How to start an aesthetics business: a simple guide<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Wondering how to start an aesthetics business? 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