Independence through structure.
The Independent Aesthetic Governance Society stands for transparent decisions and clear responsibilities in aesthetic medicine.
Watch the film with sound · 3:18
The film on independent judgement
The same doctor in three roles. What does that mean for an independent judgement?
Hear why we call for clearly separated medical responsibilities — and an additional, independent doctor dedicated to supporting you.
Watch with sound3:18 Open the film pageFictional scenes created with AI to illustrate the medical roles.
Who advises you and recommends an aesthetic procedure?
A doctor with the appropriate qualifications.
Who performs the procedure?
The same doctor.
And who assesses the result afterwards?
That same doctor again.
In medically necessary treatment, this continuity can be an advantage. But in aesthetic medicine, having everything in one doctor's hands is not enough to establish safety.
Patients generally pay for these procedures themselves. The doctor has a duty to put the patient's welfare first, while also carrying responsibility for their own livelihood and the financial survival of their practice. The person recommending the treatment earns money from performing it. The person performing it then assesses their own work.
This can create a conflict between clinical judgement and financial self-interest. Bringing everything under one roof does not make that conflict disappear.
That is why we call for advice from a separate, independent doctor: with no financial stake in the subsequent treatment and no financial ties to the treating doctors. So that the recommendation reflects your needs, including when the right decision is to have no procedure at all.
We call for demonstrable qualifications and experience in the treating doctor, specifically relevant to the procedure they perform. Treatment and aftercare remain their responsibility.
And we call for an independent medical assessment of the result: by a suitably qualified doctor with more than twenty years of medical experience, no financial ties to the treating doctor, and no offer of aesthetic follow-up treatment of their own.
Especially if you are dissatisfied, the assessment should not rest solely with the doctor whose own work is being questioned. They should not be put in the position of having to assess and defend their result at the same time.
Separating these roles is intended to protect both sides. Patients receive an independent assessment. Doctors are relieved of the conflict of being both the treating physician and the sole judge of their own results.
What requirements should an independent advising doctor meet? What qualifications should the treating doctor demonstrate? What experience does the doctor assessing the result need?
These criteria must be clear to you.
In addition, we call for a dedicated medical advocate at your side. This role belongs to another independent, experienced doctor, separate from the advising doctor, the treating doctor and the outcome assessor. This doctor is there exclusively to support you, with no financial ties to the other doctors involved. They help you understand medical information, risks and alternatives, know your rights, and discuss even sensitive concerns with your treating doctor on equal terms.
Yes, this takes additional effort. But your appearance and your health must never become bargaining chips for financial interests. Especially when you choose an elective procedure, your safety, your informed decision and a medically responsible outcome must come first.
Learn more about us. Independent Aesthetic Governance Society.
01 The model
Independent advice, treatment and independent outcome review should be separated in personnel and financial interests. What matters is both who provides a service and who profits from the resulting decision.
Choose a role
A ≠ B ≠ C Separate people and financial interests
A recommendation without a treatment interest.
Advice examines treatment wishes, options, limitations and open questions. The adviser does not subsequently provide elective aesthetic treatment to this patient and receives no referral fee.
Medical responsibility stays with the treating physician.
The treating physician assesses the patient independently and is responsible for the medical decision, treatment and aftercare. An external recommendation does not replace that responsibility.
An independent view of the course and outcome.
Another physician, uninvolved in the advice or treatment, assesses the course and outcome. The reviewer offers the patient no aesthetic follow-up or revision treatment.
Experience as a prerequisite
20years of relevant
clinical experience
02 Qualifications
The IAGS model requires at least 20 years of verified relevant clinical experience for independent advisers and outcome reviewers.
Current professional competence and withdrawal from commercial competition for aesthetic treatments are also required. Experience alone is insufficient; independence must be checked for every engagement.
Read the qualification requirements03 Transparency
Make interests visible.Remuneration for the service.
Independence in judgement.
Advice, treatment and outcome review may each be remunerated. Payment should cover the service actually delivered, without depending on treatment sales, selection of a particular provider or a desired assessment.
Read the transparency principlesFrom principle to requirement
Governance standard · G1–G8
Read all eight principlesDevelop the idea together
The Society brings together experienced physicians, specialists in methodology and ethics, and people contributing patient perspectives. Those interested can express their wish to participate.
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