How to find a good aesthetic doctor in Brussels.

Who may practice aesthetic medicine in Belgium?

Aesthetic medicine is a dynamic and rapidly growing field, offering incredible ways to enhance natural beauty and boost confidence. However, this boom has unfortunately led to a concerning rise in malpractices across Brussels and elsewhere in Belgium. As a patient, it can be incredibly difficult to know who to trust with your face, your well-being, and your safety. Choosing the right aesthetic doctor is an important decision, and understanding the local medical landscape is the first step toward a safe and successful treatment.

In Belgium, there is a lot of confusion and misperception surrounding the regulations of aesthetic medicine. Understanding these rules is crucial to making an informed and safe choice.

Misconceptions

When it comes to aesthetic treatments, there are several common misconceptions. First, many patients believe that aesthetic medicine is exclusively reserved for dermatologists or plastic surgeons. While these specialists do sometimes perform aesthetic procedures, it is not their main training focus, and they are not the only ones legally permitted to perform them.

Secondly, patients often look at regulations in other countries and assume they apply here. In some countries, professionals like "estheticiennes" (beauticians) or nurse practitioners are legally allowed to administer injectable treatments. It is vital to know that this is not the case in Belgium. While some aesthetic treatments—such as certain types of medical lasers—may be performed by a trained nurse under the strict supervision of a doctor (who must be present in case of complications and carries the ultimate responsibility), this is never the case for injectables. Under Belgian law, non-doctors are strictly prohibited from performing injectable treatments like Botox and dermal fillers; these must always be administered by a qualified medical doctor.

Minimum requirements

Currently, there is no official university specialization specifically for "aesthetic medicine" in Belgium. So, how does a doctor qualify in Belgium? By law, any doctor holding a Master of Medicine (a six-year study) is legally permitted to perform aesthetic treatments. However, to legally practice any type of medicine, a doctor must also be registered with the "Ordre des Médecins" (Belgian Medical Order) and hold a valid INAMI number.

You can easily verify a doctor yourself by searching their name on the official INAMI website. If the person cannot be found there, they are not qualified to practice any form of medicine in Belgium. Skilled, reputable doctors are fully transparent about their qualifications and will readily provide their INAMI number.

The problem in Brussels/Belgium

Unfortunately, many unqualified individuals perform injectable treatments illegally. These are often non-doctors—who lack the necessary medical and anatomical knowledge—or foreign doctors (for example, from France) who travel to Brussels to perform treatments but are not legally licensed to practice here.

This illegal practice presents a massive risk to patients on multiple levels. First, without a valid INAMI number, these practitioners cannot legally purchase medical-grade injectables from official manufacturers and distributors. As a result, they frequently source their products from the black market at significantly lower prices. This is often the real reason why they are able to lure patients in with unusually "cheap" treatment offers, putting patients at risk of being injected with unregulated, counterfeit, or unsafe substances. Furthermore, if a complication arises, a "fly-in" practitioner will not be available to provide the crucial, immediate follow-up care required. Moreover, they are not insured to cover medical complications in Belgium.

My doctor fulfills the minimum requirements, does this mean they are a good doctor?

Not necessarily. Since the Belgian medical system allows a wide range of doctors to perform aesthetic procedures, fulfilling the minimum legal requirements is just the baseline. Patients must take extra care to verify a practitioner's true expertise. Here are the most important points to check to distinguish a highly skilled professional from an average or unqualified one:

• Look for continuous education: Because specialized aesthetic training isn't built into standard medical university degrees, ongoing education is absolutely vital. The best doctors proactively pursue additional training through private institutions, international masterclasses, and memberships in professional organizations like the "SBME – Société Belge de Médecine Esthétique" (Belgian Society of Aesthetic Medicine).

• Assess their daily focus (occupancy): Ask the doctor how much of their practice is dedicated specifically to aesthetic medicine. Some doctors combine aesthetics with other specialties (like general dermatology) and may not be fully dedicated to it. A high volume of daily aesthetic treatments naturally leads to more refined techniques and a deeper understanding of complex (facial) anatomy.

• Ensure permanent availability: Avoid practitioners who only visit the city occasionally. A responsible, skilled doctor is permanently based in your area and readily available for follow-up appointments, questions, or emergencies.

About Dr. Louise Cuveele and other doctors at Cuveele's Clinic

At Cuveele's Clinic, patient safety and natural, beautiful results are the absolute priorities. The clinic is founded on a philosophy of full transparency and a commitment to the highest medical standards.

Dr. Louise Cuveele is a full-time aesthetic doctor. Unlike practitioners who combine aesthetics with other specialties, Dr. Cuveele does not split her focus; she is entirely dedicated to the art and science of non-surgical rejuvenation. This dedication is reflected in the high volume of patients she treats, providing her with the extensive daily experience required to master complex (facial) anatomy and refined injection techniques.

Her expertise is recognized at the highest level of the industry: Dr. Cuveele serves as an expert trainer for Merz Aesthetics, where she is responsible for teaching advanced injection techniques and safety protocols to other medical doctors.

Recognizing that university degrees are only the beginning, she has followed numerous advanced courses at renowned private institutions to stay at the forefront of the field. We apply these same rigorous standards to all doctors at our practice. Every practitioner at Cuveele's Clinic is carefully screened to ensure they share the same qualities and commitment to excellence as Dr. Cuveele. Once they join us, our doctors are continuously supported in following advanced courses to further improve and maintain their skills.

We are also strong proponents of an official university specialization for aesthetic medicine in Belgium, and we hope to see this established in the future. We believe this would create much-needed clarity for patients and ensure that high standards of care are standardized across the board.

For full transparency, we ensure that each doctor’s INAMI number is clearly listed on our website, along with their credentials and training records. When you choose Cuveele's Clinic, you are choosing a highly trained professional who is permanently available, thoroughly educated, and fully dedicated to your aesthetic journey.