Viewed from a clinical standpoint, aesthetic medicine is founded on the four fundamental principles of medical ethics: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice.

For the average individual, this standard reflects what a reasonable person would consider appropriate. For professionals, however, the standard is higher, reflecting the expertise and training expected in their field.

The landmark UK legal case that addressed the importance of dialogue between patients and doctors was Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board [2015] UKSC 11. This case fundamentally changed the standard for informed consent in the UK.