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Templates / Facial Consent Form Template

Aesthetics & Beauty

Facial Consent Form Template

Avatar photo Mark Brave
February 12, 2026
Reviewed by: Avatar photo Medical Doctor Dr. Vanja Kitanova
Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

Facial consent forms protect both practitioners and clients by documenting informed consent for treatments

UK law requires written consent for aesthetic procedures under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008

A comprehensive facial consent form must include medical history, contraindications, treatment risks, and client acknowledgements

Digital consent forms reduce storage costs and improve compliance with GDPR requirements

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Facial Consent Form Template

Download our comprehensive consent form template covering patient information, treatment options, medical history screening, contraindications, and signature blocks for all facial treatments.

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FACIAL CONSENT FORM
2 pages · Customisable PDF

A facial consent form is a legal document that protects both aesthetic practitioners and clients during facial treatments. Whether you offer chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or advanced facial therapies, obtaining written consent is not just best practice but a legal requirement in many jurisdictions.

This guide explains what to include in facial consent forms, legal requirements, and common mistakes to avoid. Download our free template to ensure compliance and professional documentation in your aesthetic clinic. Proper consent management is essential for medical spas delivering advanced facial treatments.

A facial consent form is a written agreement between a client and practitioner documenting informed consent for facial treatments. The form verifies the client understands the procedure, confirms medical history disclosure, and acknowledges potential risks and complications.

Facial consent forms differ from general treatment consent because they address skin-specific risks such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, allergic reactions to topical products, and contraindications like active herpes simplex or recent Accutane use.

In aesthetic clinics, beauty salons, and medical spas, facial consent forms create a legal record that both parties agreed to proceed with treatment under informed conditions. This documentation becomes critical if complications arise or disputes occur regarding treatment outcomes.

Legal protection is the primary reason clinics require facial consent forms. In the UK, the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and Care Quality Commission (CQC) guidelines require healthcare providers to obtain informed consent before performing aesthetic procedures.

In the United States, state medical boards and the Federal Trade Commission mandate that aesthetic practitioners document informed consent for treatments that carry risk of adverse effects. Failure to obtain proper consent can result in malpractice claims, regulatory penalties, and licence suspension.

Beyond legal compliance, facial consent forms serve three functions: risk mitigation (documented consent reduces liability), client education (ensures clients understand expectations), and professional standards (signals quality care).

Research shows that aesthetic practices using standardised consent forms experience significantly fewer client complaints and malpractice claims compared to practices with inconsistent consent documentation.

UK aesthetic clinics must comply with multiple regulatory frameworks:

Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 prohibit misleading information and require clear, accurate details about treatments before purchase.

Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR govern consent forms that collect sensitive personal data. Clinics must obtain explicit consent for data processing and maintain GDPR compliance to avoid penalties up to £17.5 million or 4% of annual global turnover (whichever is higher).

Care Quality Commission standards require documentation that consent was obtained voluntarily, the client had capacity to consent, and received adequate information for informed decision-making.

Medical negligence law requires practitioners to disclose risks that a reasonable person would consider significant, following the Supreme Court ruling in Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board (2015).

For invasive facial treatments (microneedling, chemical peels, laser therapy), written consent is mandatory. For non-invasive treatments, written consent is best practice.

The General Medical Council states consent must be obtained before treatment begins, the client must have capacity to consent, and consent can be withdrawn anytime. Practitioners should reassess consent if circumstances change or significant time passes.

Patient Information Section

Collect full legal name, date of birth, contact details (phone and email), and residential address. Include emergency contact details, critical if adverse reactions occur requiring urgent intervention.

Treatment Selection

List all facial treatments with checkboxes for clients to indicate procedures they consent to receive: chemical peels, microdermabrasion, HydraFacial, LED therapy, dermaplaning, microneedling, extractions, oxygen facials, enzyme therapy, radiofrequency, ultrasonic facials, and galvanic facials.

Provide brief descriptions using plain language accessible to non-medical clients.

Medical History and Contraindications

Structure questions as Yes/No checkboxes covering absolute contraindications (pregnancy/breastfeeding, active infections, Accutane use within 12 months, keloid scarring, chemotherapy), relative contraindications (diabetes, blood thinners, acne/rosacea, recent facial surgery, metal implants, allergies), and skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, retinol use, sensitivity, sun exposure, autoimmune conditions).

Include open fields for clients to list allergies, medications, and supplements to identify potential interactions.

Risks and Complications Disclosure

Disclose risks using clear language: “Facial treatments may cause temporary redness, sensitivity, swelling, or discomfort. Most side effects resolve within 24-48 hours. Rare complications include infection, scarring, hyperpigmentation, or allergic reactions requiring medical treatment.”

The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology reports 3-7% of clients experience minor adverse effects, while serious complications occur in less than 0.1% of cases when performed by qualified practitioners.

Client Consent Acknowledgements

Include numbered statements clients initial confirming: disclosed medical history, understand temporary side effects, understand risks and benefits, had opportunity to ask questions, understand results vary, will follow care instructions, will avoid sun exposure, consent to photographs (optional marketing), and release clinic from liability for adverse reactions when treatment followed protocols.

Signature Blocks

Include signature lines for client (with date), parent/guardian (if under 18), and practitioner (confirms consent obtained and capacity assessed).

Retain signed forms minimum 7 years in UK (until age 25 for minors). US requirements vary from 5-10 years by state.

Follow these steps to implement our template:

Step 1: Customise treatment options to match your service menu. Ensure descriptions use client-friendly language.

Step 2: Add clinic branding (logo, name, address, contact details) for professionalism.

Step 3: Review legal compliance with a solicitor familiar with aesthetic practice law in your jurisdiction.

Step 4: Train practitioners on explaining each section, answering questions, and verifying capacity to consent.

Step 5: Integrate with your clinic management system. Pabau’s digital forms allow clients to complete consent on tablets or devices, with signatures captured electronically and automatically attached to client records.

Step 6: Review forms annually or when introducing new treatments or regulations change.

Step 7: Store securely and compliantly. Paper forms require locked cabinets. Digital forms need GDPR-compliant storage with encryption. Pabau’s client records provide secure cloud storage with automatic backups.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using outdated templates: Review and update forms annually as regulations evolve.

Obtaining consent too quickly: Allow adequate time for clients to read and ask questions.

Failing to address literacy barriers: Use plain language and verbally explain key points. Provide translated forms for non-English speakers.

Not documenting consent discussions: Note key discussion points, questions asked, and explanations provided in client records.

Using generic forms for specialised treatments: Use treatment-specific forms for higher-risk procedures like chemical peels or microneedling.

Accepting consent from clients lacking capacity: Clients under influence of substances or with cognitive impairments affecting decision-making cannot provide valid consent. Reschedule if concerned.

Pre-signing forms before consultation: Clients cannot consent to treatments before qualified practitioner explanation.

Not providing copies to clients: Best practice is providing clients a copy for transparency and post-care reference.

The British Journal of Dermatology found 68% of successful malpractice claims involved deficient consent documentation, including missing signatures, incomplete medical history, and failure to document treatment-specific risks.

Pro Tip

Schedule annual consent form reviews with your team and legal adviser. Set a recurring January reminder to review all forms, update treatment lists, verify legal compliance, and incorporate lessons learned. This proactive approach prevents compliance gaps and demonstrates due diligence.

Digital consent forms deliver measurable benefits:

Improved compliance: Mandatory fields ensure complete submission. Validation rules prevent missing signatures or illegible handwriting.

Reduced storage costs: A clinic with 200 monthly clients generates 2,400 annual paper forms (12,000 pages at 5 pages per form). Digital forms eliminate physical storage, reducing costs by 78%.

Better accessibility: Practitioners access forms instantly from any location, valuable for multi-location clinics or emergency reviews.

Automatic audit trails: Systems log every view, edit, and signature, creating complete audit trails invaluable during inspections or disputes.

Integrated workflows: Forms integrate with scheduling, client records, and billing. Completed forms automatically attach to profiles and trigger follow-up tasks.

Environmental sustainability: Switching to digital saves approximately 144,000 sheets annually for clinics seeing 200 clients monthly.

Enhanced client experience: Clients complete forms at home before appointments, reducing wait times. Mobile-responsive forms work on smartphones and tablets.

Consent duration: Revalidate consent annually or if significant time passes between consultation and treatment. Obtain fresh consent if health status changes.

Treatment modifications: Document verbal consent for minor changes during appointments. For significant changes, pause and obtain written consent.

Photographs for marketing: Obtain separate explicit consent specifying image use. UK GDPR requires specific consent for each use case.

Minors: UK allows ages 16-17 to consent if sufficiently mature (Gillick competence). Best practice requires parent/guardian consent until age 18 for aesthetic treatments.

Capacity assessment: Practitioners must assess capacity under Mental Capacity Act 2005. Capacity is decision-specific and time-specific.

Emergency situations: Implied consent applies for urgent treatment during serious reactions. Document care as soon as possible after stabilisation.

Legal experts recommend solicitor review of consent forms and procedures (£500-£2,000 initial cost) to prevent costly litigation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate consent form for each facial treatment?

For clinics offering multiple facial treatments, use a single comprehensive form with checkboxes for each treatment type. However, high-risk treatments (deep chemical peels, laser therapy, microneedling) should have dedicated consent forms with detailed risk disclosures. Standard facials, LED therapy, and low-risk treatments can share a general facial consent form.

How long should I keep signed facial consent forms?

In the UK, retain consent forms minimum 7 years after last treatment. For clients who were minors, retain until their 25th birthday. In the US, requirements vary by state from 5-10 years. Consult your professional liability insurer as they may require longer retention. Digital storage makes long-term retention practical.

Can clients sign consent forms electronically?

Yes, electronic signatures are legally valid in the UK under the Electronic Communications Act 2000 and in the US under the ESIGN Act. Requirements include identity verification, signature linkage to document, and audit trails documenting when and by whom forms were signed. Reputable practice management software provides compliant electronic signature capabilities with built-in authentication and audit trails.

What if a client refuses to complete the medical history section?

Medical history disclosure is essential for safe treatment. If a client refuses to answer medical history questions, decline to perform treatment. Explain you cannot assess contraindications or risks without complete information, and proceeding would violate your duty of care. Document the refusal in writing and have the client sign acknowledging they declined. Never treat clients who will not disclose relevant medical information.

Should I use different consent forms for first-time vs returning clients?

First-time clients require comprehensive consent forms covering full medical history and treatment details. Returning clients should complete abbreviated update forms before appointments confirming medical history has not changed and revalidating consent. Annual comprehensive revalidation is recommended for regular clients. Changes in medications, health conditions, or contraindications may emerge between visits, so never assume previous consent remains valid indefinitely.

Can I modify a consent form after a client has signed it?

Never alter a signed consent form. If you discover errors after signing, create an addendum document referencing the original, explaining the change, requiring both parties to sign and date. Alternatively, void the original and complete a fresh form. Modifying signed documents without proper documentation can appear fraudulent and may be inadmissible in legal proceedings. Digital forms with audit trails logging every edit provide superior protection compared to paper forms.

Expert Picks

Expert Picks

Need complete consent management? Pabau’s digital forms streamline consent workflows with customisable templates, electronic signatures, and automatic client record integration.

Managing multiple locations? Pabau’s client records system organises all consent forms, medical history, and treatment notes in one secure location accessible across all clinic locations.

Ensuring GDPR compliance? Learn how Pabau’s GDPR-compliant infrastructure protects client data with encryption, role-based access controls, and automatic audit trails.

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