The British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) and its Vet It Before You Get It campaign have been recognised in ELLE’s Tweakment Awards 2026, highlighting the growing importance of practitioner credentials, ethical practice and patient safety in aesthetic medicine.
Published on 11 September 2026, the announcement reflects a wider shift in the aesthetics industry, as consumers become increasingly discerning about the treatments they choose and the professionals who deliver them.
ELLE’s annual guide to aesthetic treatments, injectables and practitioners explores developments across the sector, including growing interest in skin health, regenerative treatments and natural-looking results. Alongside treatment trends, the feature highlights the importance of informed decision-making and professional standards when choosing an aesthetic practitioner.
BCAM’s patient safety campaign recognised
ELLE has named BCAM’s Vet It Before You Get It campaign as one of three recommended resources for consumers considering aesthetic treatment.
Launched to encourage patients to take a more informed approach to choosing a practitioner, the campaign provides pre-consultation questionnaires designed to help people ask the right questions before proceeding with treatment.
The questionnaires cover important considerations, including:
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Professional qualifications and credentials: Checking a practitioner's training, registration and experience.
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Products and procedures: Understanding which products will be used and what the proposed treatment involves.
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Clinical safety: Establishing what safeguards and protocols are in place.
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Aftercare and complications: Understanding the support available following treatment, including arrangements for managing potential complications.
By encouraging patients to raise these questions before their consultation, the campaign aims to make it easier for them to assess whether a practitioner meets the standards they should expect.
The initiative has also received recognition within the aesthetics industry, winning Best Initiative at the Aesthetics Awards 2026.
A more informed aesthetic patient
The recognition comes as patient expectations continue to evolve. While treatment outcomes remain an important consideration, consumers are increasingly looking beyond results alone when deciding where to undergo aesthetic procedures.
Practitioner expertise, transparency, ethical decision-making and appropriate clinical oversight are all important factors in establishing trust.
For aesthetic professionals, this places greater emphasis on communicating qualifications clearly, explaining treatment options honestly and ensuring patients understand the potential risks, benefits and limitations of a proposed procedure.
It also reinforces the importance of a thorough consultation process, giving patients the opportunity to ask questions and make informed decisions without pressure.
Calls for greater oversight of aesthetic medicine
Sadie Van Sanden-Cooke, Chief Operating Officer of BCAM, is quoted in ELLE’s feature discussing the changing aesthetics market and the growing importance of ethical practice, transparency and professional accountability.
She also highlights the need for greater oversight of the sector, with licensing, governance and competency remaining important considerations as the market develops.
For BCAM, these issues are central to improving patient safety and strengthening public confidence in aesthetic medicine. Greater clarity around professional standards and appropriate oversight can help patients understand what to look for when choosing a practitioner.
The campaign encourages consumers to investigate the person delivering their treatment as carefully as the procedure itself, rather than making decisions based solely on price, popularity or advertised results.
Supporting professional standards in aesthetic medicine
BCAM is a UK professional body representing doctors and dentists practising aesthetic medicine. Its work includes promoting clinical education, ethical practice and patient safety across the specialty.
The Vet It Before You Get It campaign supports these objectives by providing practical resources to help consumers make more informed choices before undergoing aesthetic procedures.
For practitioners, the campaign also provides an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to transparency, responsible practice and patient-centred care.
As the range of available aesthetic treatments continues to expand, helping consumers distinguish between providers and understand the importance of professional credentials remains a key challenge for the sector.
Patient safety will define the future of aesthetics
The recognition in ELLE’s Tweakment Awards 2026 brings further attention to the role of patient education in aesthetic medicine.
For patients, the message is straightforward: understanding a treatment is only one part of the decision. Knowing who is providing it, what qualifications they hold and how they will manage aftercare or complications is equally important.
For the industry, the recognition reinforces the need to maintain high professional standards and make patient safety an integral part of the treatment journey.
BCAM’s central message remains clear: don't just choose a treatment. Vet the practitioner first.
Find out more
To learn more about the Vet It Before You Get It campaign and access its patient safety resources, visit the British College of Aesthetic Medicine website.
