Authorised professionals and their responsibilities
- The doctor. Doctors may perform the treatment themselves within the scope of their authorisation to practise. Professional authorisation and training in injection techniques are two separate points to check.
- Nursing staff. Appropriate additional training and direct medical supervision are necessary. According to Swissmedic’s recommendations for patients, a doctor must be present on site and supervise the treatment.
- Beauticians. In Geneva, their professional activity does not authorise them to perform injections. A private injection training certificate is therefore insufficient to establish that someone is authorised to perform this procedure.
These distinctions appear in the canton of Geneva’s information on aesthetic practices and in the Swissmedic recommendations on filler injections.
The doctor’s presence when treatment is delegated
When a nurse performs the injection, ask which doctor supervises the session and whether they are present on the premises. Availability only by telephone does not correspond to the on-site presence described by Swissmedic. A centre’s trading name or the statement « under medical responsibility » does not, on its own, allow the actual conditions of the session to be checked.
This check concerns the organisation of treatment. It does not replace questions about the training of the person performing the injection, the information provided before the procedure and follow-up arrangements.
Checks to make in MedReg
MedReg is the Federal Office of Public Health’s public register of medical professions. It allows you to consult registered diplomas and postgraduate qualifications, as well as cantonal authorisations to practise under one’s own professional responsibility and any restrictions on them. A name appearing in the register is therefore not enough : the information concerning the authorisation and the canton concerned must be read.
- Search for the doctor by surname and first name, or by their GLN number if you know it.
- Check that the profession listed is indeed that of a doctor.
- Consult the authorisations to practise and the canton in which treatment is planned.
- If the information is unclear, ask the relevant cantonal department for confirmation before the session.
Authorisation to practise in Geneva
Authorisation to practise is a matter for the cantonal authorities. An authorisation issued in another canton does not allow you to assume that the necessary steps to practise in Geneva have been completed. The canton of Geneva provides a procedure for professionals already authorised in another canton.
If in doubt, refer to the official information on authorisation to practise in Geneva. A professional title on a website or social media account does not replace this check.
The case of the Hyaluronpen and dentists
The absence of a needle does not remove the requirements applicable to injections. In Geneva, the Hyaluronpen, which delivers the product under pressure, is treated as a syringe injection. Beauticians are not permitted to use it. The canton also states that dentists are not authorised to perform hyaluronic acid injections for facial filling.
Illegal hyaluronic acid injections
In Geneva, hyaluronic acid injections performed by an unauthorised person, or without the required medical supervision, do not comply with the applicable framework. Private training, a certificate displayed on social media or the use of a needle-free device do not replace the required qualifications.
Before a session, check :
- The identity and profession of the person who will perform the injection.
- The responsible doctor’s authorisation to practise, in the canton concerned.
- The doctor’s presence on site when the injection is performed by trained nursing staff.
In the event of a complication, consult a doctor promptly. A suspected illegal practice can be reported to the relevant authorities ; the person treated retains the possibility of asserting their rights.
Questions to ask before an injection
To prepare for a consultation in Geneva, you can ask for precise answers to the following questions. They help identify the people involved and understand how your care is organised.
- Who will personally perform my injection and what training does that person have ?
- Which doctor will be responsible for the treatment and, if it is delegated, will they be present on site ?
- How can I check their authorisation to practise ?
- Who should I contact after the session if a problem develops ?
If a health problem occurs after an injection, consult a doctor. Swissmedic recommends seeking an independent medical opinion and a medical report in the event of harm to health related to filler treatment. A practice suspected of being illegal can be reported to the authorities.
Information checked on 26 October 2026. This page concerns professionals authorised to perform aesthetic injections, with details specific to Geneva. Conditions of practice must be checked with the canton in which the treatment is performed.
