Injections, medical procedures with an aesthetic purpose – whether hyaluronic acid, botulinum toxin (Botox), Skinboosters or Sculptra – are medical acts. These procedures, although non-surgical, require a perfect mastery of human anatomy, the pharmacology of the injected products, as well as the ability to manage possible complications, sometimes severe.
Unlike treatments offered in a beauty institute, injections are procedures that go beyond the skin barrier and reach deep tissues, vascular risk areas or nerve structures. As such, they involve not only a technical gesture, but also diagnostic expertise and medical judgment, which fundamentally distinguishes them from superficial aesthetic treatments.
In Switzerland, the legislation is very clear : only qualified physicians holding the right to practice are authorized to perform aesthetic injections. This provision derives from the Law on Medical Professions (LPMéd) as well as from the directives of the different cantons, including the canton of Geneva.
The Federal Council, in its determination to protect public health, strengthened in 2022 the requirements regarding invasive aesthetic procedures. It emphasized that any injection of a substance intended to modify appearance – including fillers, Botox or mesotherapy – must be carried out by a trained physician with the necessary technical and theoretical skills.
In other words, an esthetician, even an experienced one, cannot legally perform injections in Switzerland. Any offender is subject to criminal penalties, administrative proceedings, or even the closure of their practice.
Behind an apparently harmless injection lie real medical risks. Adverse effects can range from a simple bruise to skin necrosis, severe infection, or worse, vascular embolization that may lead to irreversible blindness if a product is injected into a vessel.
Physicians, beyond their initial training, are educated to identify, prevent and manage these complications. They have access to appropriate technical equipment, products compliant with regulations (notably CE or Swissmedic approved), and above all, professional liability insurance covering this type of procedure.
In contrast, unauthorized individuals who perform injections illegally not only endanger their patients’ health, but also act without the necessary tools for medical safety, often in unclear and unsupervised conditions.
To be able to perform injections, a physician follows a demanding path, including medical studies (minimum 6 years) ; a specialization and additional training ; continuous education on facial anatomy, injectable products, injection techniques and the management of side effects.
This training is essential to understand individual anatomical variations, select the most appropriate product for the indication (face, lips, dark circles, jawline, etc.), assess medical contraindications, and ensure a harmonious and lasting result.
Estheticians, although trained in skin care, do not have either the theoretical training or the legal recognition to perform such a technical, precise and potentially risky procedure.
Despite the strict regulatory framework, some unscrupulous establishments deliberately maintain ambiguity between aesthetic treatments and medical procedures. It is not uncommon for patients, believing they are receiving a simple “beauty care with a small product” in an institute, to actually undergo an injection performed illegally.
These practices, beyond the dangerous trivialization of the medical act, constitute a deception towards the consumer. The patient must be informed of the identity and qualifications of the practitioner and of the exact nature of the procedure performed.
Before receiving injections, it is essential to check certain elements :
Vigilance is required, especially since some estheticians self-proclaim « technicienne esthétique avancée », « praticienne en injection » or « experte beauté » – these titles are not recognized and have no legal basis.
The rise of medical procedures for aesthetic purposes must not come at the expense of medical ethics. In Geneva as elsewhere, it is essential that aesthetic procedures are performed in compliance with health, legal, and ethical standards.
Turning to a qualified physician not only ensures safety, but also provides comprehensive support that goes far beyond the technical procedure: listening, personalized diagnosis, post-injection follow-up, and management of results within a responsible medical approach.
An argument often put forward by some estheticians is that of « experience » : years of practice, a loyal clientele, private training abroad, etc. But in medicine, experience that is not legally supervised cannot replace recognized qualifications. Injecting a product into the dermis or subcutaneous tissue is not merely about handling a syringe : it involves performing a therapeutic or corrective act that requires prior medical evaluation, clinical decisions, and solid scientific knowledge.
Medical training is not only aimed at mastering a procedure : it seeks to understand biological mechanisms, systemic risks, drug interactions, pre-existing pathologies, and more. It is therefore not enough to have « learned a technique well » : one must know why, how, and on whom it is applied, which by definition is beyond the scope of a non-physician.
The development of the beauty market has seen the emergence of numerous injection trainings offered to estheticians, sometimes abroad, often online, promising rapid skills in just a few days. These organizations circumvent Swiss legislation by relying on international grey areas. However, attending an unrecognized training does not in any way authorize practice in Switzerland, even if it issues a « certificate ».
By training abroad in an unregulated setting, an esthetician does not become a physician. She remains in violation if she subsequently performs medical procedures in Switzerland. This is a fundamental point that patients often overlook, believing they are in qualified hands.
Another major point too often overlooked is that of legal responsibility. When a physician performs an injection, they assume civil and criminal liability and are covered by specific professional insurance. They are also bound by a code of ethics, which obliges them to adhere to strict rules regarding information, consent, safety, and follow-up.
An esthetician performing injections illegally operates outside any insurance or ethical framework. In the event of a complication, the patient has no structured recourse. Even more concerning, these injections are often performed in non-medical conditions — unsuitable premises, non-sterile equipment, unauthorized products — exposing the person to significantly increased risks.
In a context where medical procedures for aesthetic purposes are becoming increasingly accessible, it is crucial to educate the public to recognize legitimate practices. Many patients do not perceive the difference between a « deep aesthetic treatment » and a medical injection. It is therefore the responsibility of professionals, health institutions, and cantonal authorities to provide this clarification, so that everyone can make an informed decision.
It is recommended that anyone considering an injection systematically asks the following questions :
An esthetician who is honest and law-abiding will answer unambiguously : she does not perform injections, as this falls neither within her skills nor her legal scope of practice.
Article written by Dr Romano Valeria
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