How do you choose a safe aesthetic clinic in the Netherlands?
Who is allowed to inject in the Netherlands?
Under the Dutch BIG Act (Wet BIG), injecting is a reserved procedure. This means only certain healthcare professionals may do it independently. A doctor is independently authorised. A BIG-registered nurse may inject on the instruction of a doctor, provided the nurse is demonstrably competent and the doctor is available for consultation when needed.
An extra rule applies to muscle relaxants used for anti-wrinkle injections: they are prescription medicines. Only a doctor may prescribe them, and according to the Dutch Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) that doctor must have seen and assessed you in person. A ‘remote’ prescription, without the doctor having spoken to you, is not allowed.
| Practitioner | May inject? | May prescribe a muscle relaxant? |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor (BIG-registered) | Yes, independently | Yes, after assessing the client personally |
| Nurse (BIG-registered) | Yes, on a doctor’s instruction and if competent | No |
| Beautician or other practitioner without BIG registration | Not independently; the IGJ warns against this | No |
How do you check the BIG register?
The BIG register is public and free to consult. It takes a few minutes and gives you certainty about the person who will treat you.
- Go to bigregister.nl and choose the option to search the register (an English version is available).
- Search by surname or, more precisely, by the BIG number the clinic provides.
- Check the profession: does it say ‘arts’ (doctor) or ‘verpleegkundige’ (nurse)?
- Check that the registration is valid and whether there are any notes, such as a suspension, restriction or removal.
- Make sure the name and initials match the person who actually treats you.
What does the title ‘cosmetic doctor’ mean?
In the Netherlands, ‘cosmetic doctor’ (cosmetisch arts) is not in itself a protected specialty like plastic surgeon or dermatologist. For some years there has been an officially recognised profile registration, ‘cosmetisch arts KNMG’, which requires additional training. More important than the title is that the practitioner is BIG-registered, has demonstrable experience with the treatment you want and knows how to act if complications occur.
How do you know the products are safe?
Fillers are medical devices and must carry a CE mark in Europe. Well-known brands include Juvéderm, Restylane, Stylage and Revolax. A muscle relaxant is a registered medicine that a clinic must obtain through a pharmacy or licensed wholesaler, not online or from abroad.
You are always entitled to ask which product will be used. For a filler you should be told the product name and, ideally, receive the batch number or be able to find it in your file. Be cautious with devices such as the ‘hyaluron pen’, which forces filler into the skin under pressure without a needle; the IGJ has warned against these several times.
Which questions can you ask during the consultation?
A good consultation is not a sales conversation. You should have room for questions and time to think, and a doctor may also advise against treatment. These questions help you assess a clinic:
- Who will perform the treatment, and what is that practitioner’s BIG number?
- Which product will be used, and why does it suit me?
- What are the most common side effects, and which rare complications can occur?
- Is hyaluronidase available to dissolve filler if necessary?
- How can I reach the practitioner after treatment, including outside opening hours?
- Is there a follow-up appointment, and what does a possible correction cost?
- What is the total price, and is it fixed before treatment?
- How does the complaints procedure work?
What can you do if something goes wrong?
Every healthcare provider in the Netherlands, including an aesthetic clinic, falls under the Healthcare Quality, Complaints and Disputes Act (Wkkgz). This law requires a clinic to have a complaints procedure, an independent complaints officer and membership of a recognised disputes committee. Feel free to ask which committee the clinic is affiliated with.
A complaint usually goes through several steps. First you discuss it with the practitioner. If you cannot resolve it together, the complaints officer can mediate. After that you can turn to the disputes committee, which issues a binding decision and can award compensation. If the practitioner is BIG-registered, you can also file a complaint with the regional disciplinary tribunal in case of serious concerns about their conduct. Abuses can be reported to the IGJ’s National Healthcare Reporting Centre (Landelijk Meldpunt Zorg).
If you experience sudden severe pain, white or bluish-purple discolouration of the skin, or changes in your vision after a filler treatment, contact your practitioner or a doctor immediately. These are rare but urgent warning signs.
How does Zalat Clinics work?
At Zalat Clinics in Rotterdam-Zuid, all injections are performed by Dr. Pravesh Gadjradj, a BIG-registered doctor (BIG 39924163701), using registered or CE-marked products. The consultation and the check-up after two weeks are free, and the doctor can be reached via WhatsApp after treatment. You can check the registration yourself at bigregister.nl.
Frequently asked questions
Can a beautician give lip fillers in the Netherlands?
Not independently. Injecting is a reserved procedure under the BIG Act, and the IGJ explicitly warns against filler treatments by practitioners without BIG registration. Choose a doctor, or a BIG-registered nurse working on a doctor’s instruction.
Is a cosmetic doctor the same as a plastic surgeon?
No. A plastic surgeon is a medical specialist with several years of training, including surgery. A cosmetic doctor is a physician who focuses on non-surgical treatments such as injectables; for some years there has been a KNMG profile registration for this.
How do I know which product was used on me?
Ask before the treatment. A careful clinic records the product, the amount and, for fillers, the batch number in your file. By law you have the right to access that file.
What is the Wkkgz?
The Healthcare Quality, Complaints and Disputes Act requires healthcare providers to deliver good care and to handle complaints carefully. Every clinic must have a complaints procedure and be affiliated with a recognised disputes committee.