Top Tips - Stacking Treatments, Stacking Responsibility
As combination treatments rise in popularity, Hamilton Fraser CEO Eddie Hooker explains why innovation in aesthetics must always be matched with professionalism, transparency and the right insurance cover.
Combination treatments – often called treatment stacking – are quickly becoming one of the most exciting ways to deliver enhanced outcomes for patients. Whether it’s pairing microneedling with PRP or polynucleotides, or layering skin boosters with energy-based devices, these protocols can achieve outcomes that look natural, feel restorative, and genuinely add value to patient care.
But as techniques evolve, so too must our approach to safety, professionalism and risk management. At Hamilton Fraser, we’re seeing more and more clinics embrace regenerative and combination treatments to meet growing demand. The benefits are clear: improved skin texture, increased collagen production, quicker recovery times, and natural-looking improvements. Yet with these advances also comes added complexity. Each extra step means more considerations, and ultimately, more responsibility for the practitioner.
Stacking treatments can also mean stacking risk
When you combine procedures, you’re not just enhancing the result – you’re also increasing the number of variables at play. Every treatment carries its own risks, aftercare requirements, and patient expectations, and combination protocols are often off-label and not explicitly recommended within manufacturers’ guidelines. This makes clear communication and consent absolutely essential. Patients need a full explanation of what their treatment plan involves, why treatments are being combined, what results they can expect, and any associated risks. The more personalised your consultation and notes, the better.
Does your insurance reflect your practice?
Not all policies automatically cover regenerative or combination treatments. Procedures like PRP, polynucleotides, skin boosters and exosome therapy often sit in specialist categories. If you’re offering them, it’s vital that your insurance provider knows – and that your cover reflects exactly what you do.
At Hamilton Fraser, we’ve designed our insurance to keep pace with modern practice, grouping treatments into clear risk categories so practitioners can select the right cover based on their qualifications and training. This not only protects your clinic, but also helps you focus on delivering the results your patients expect – with confidence.
Good documentation never goes out of style
Record-keeping is one of your strongest defences if something doesn’t go to plan. With treatment stacking, document every detail – which products you used, in what order, how the patient responded, and the aftercare advice given. Equally, review your consent forms: generic paperwork may not be enough when procedures are combined. Informed, specific consent builds trust and protects your practice.
Innovation with responsibility
Combination treatments can set your clinic apart – but only when delivered safely, transparently and professionally. Patients are putting their trust in you, and that trust must be supported by robust systems, strong communication and the right protection.
At Hamilton Fraser, we’re here to help practitioners embrace innovation without compromising on safety. If you’re expanding your treatment menu with combination protocols, now is the time to check that your insurance and consent processes are up to date. That way, when your patients notice the difference in their results, you can be confident that you’re protected too.