Is the Future a More Holistic One for Aesthetic Clinics?
Eddie Hooker, founder and CEO of Hamilton Fraser, explores the integration of aesthetic medicine with longevity and biohacking
In the aesthetics sector, we’ve always been focused on helping patients look their best. But increasingly, the conversation is evolving; patients no longer simply want to look younger, they want to age better, too. Longevity and biohacking are fast becoming part of mainstream aesthetic care, driven by a desire to feel better for longer, to maintain vitality, and to prevent the signs of ageing before they start.
At Hamilton Fraser, we’re seeing more clinics integrate wellness-based services and functional medicine into their aesthetic offerings. This presents an opportunity to truly stand out, especially for medical clinics that can support this approach with diagnostics, deeper expertise, and robust clinical frameworks. But as this space grows, so too does the need for responsibility, clear patient communication, and appropriate insurance cover.
Aesthetic care is expanding into whole-body wellness
Today’s aesthetic patient is informed, engaged and often interested in more than just a single treatment. They want to understand the internal factors that influence how they age – from hormonal imbalances and stress levels to gut health, sleep quality and even genetic predisposition. Increasingly, patients are seeking out clinics that can offer insight into these underlying health factors as part of a broader treatment plan.
We’re now seeing more use of tools like epigenetic and hormone testing, as well as newer technologies such as mitochondrial skin ageing analysis. These offer a deeper look into how someone’s body is functioning, long before the ageing process becomes visible. Some clinics are also incorporating bioidentical hormone therapies (BHRT), personalised supplement protocols, and lifestyle recommendations to optimise internal balance and support aesthetic results.
What this all points to is a shift in thinking: away from reactive care and towards prevention, from treating lines and wrinkles, to helping patients delay them altogether by improving their baseline health.
A growing market – and a growing need for clinical clarity
A recent report from Aesthetics and CCR found that one in three UK medical aesthetic clinics now offer treatments focused on medical wellness and longevity. Even more notably, over half of aesthetic clinics that previously focused only on treatments like injectables and skincare are beginning to offer functional medicine services as part of their core packages.
This shift presents a chance to differentiate and build stronger patient loyalty. However, it also raises important questions about the scope of practice. As practitioners explore new territory, it’s essential to stay within the bounds of their training and qualifications, and to ensure that any new services are delivered safely, ethically and in line with clinical best practice.
For example, if you are offering diagnostic testing or hormone balancing treatments, you must be confident in your ability to interpret the results, explain them clearly to patients, and make treatment decisions that are medically sound. You must also ensure that your documentation and consent processes have evolved to reflect this new level of complexity.
Make sure your insurance keeps pace with your clinic
As clinics grow and diversify, it’s easy to assume that your insurance will automatically cover the new treatments you’re introducing. But that’s often not the case. Services like hormone therapy, functional assessments, advanced diagnostics or wellness protocols may fall outside of standard aesthetics insurance.
At Hamilton Fraser, we’ve structured our policies to reflect the realities of modern aesthetic practice. That means we group treatments into clear categories based on risk and qualifications, so practitioners can easily select the level of cover that aligns with their training and the services they provide. If you’re incorporating new longevity or biohacking-related services, it’s vital to check your policy and speak with your provider to make sure you’re properly protected.
Without the right cover in place, a claim relating to a treatment that falls outside your insured scope could be costly, both financially and reputationally.
Documentation is your strongest safeguard
As with all advanced treatment areas, comprehensive documentation remains one of your most important tools. When you begin offering personalised plans that include diagnostic results, lifestyle interventions or biohacking technologies, it’s not enough to record only the treatment itself.
You’ll need to document the full clinical picture, from baseline assessments and test results, to the rationale behind each decision and the outcomes over time. Patients should also receive detailed aftercare instructions, and your consultation notes must reflect that they understand the full scope of what they’re receiving.
Consent forms should be specific to each element of the treatment plan. Generic paperwork will not be sufficient if something goes wrong. Consent must be fully informed, up to date, and reflective of the complexity of the procedures and recommendations involved.
More than a trend
The integration of aesthetics and wellness is not a passing phase. According to device manufacturers like BTL, longevity will be one of the key market shapers of 2025. As this shift continues, the boundary between how we look and how we feel will only become more blurred, and clinics that adopt a holistic, preventative model will be well-placed to lead.
But with new opportunity comes new risk. Patients will expect more. Treatments will become more complex. And the regulatory and insurance landscape will evolve to reflect that. Practitioners must be prepared not just to meet demand, but to manage it professionally and safely.
At Hamilton Fraser, we’re already working with clinics who are building this model into their business, clinics who are investing in the future of aesthetics by combining innovation with responsibility.
If you’re planning to expand into longevity, wellness, or biohacking services, now is the time to review your clinical processes, update your documentation, and speak to your insurance provider to ensure you’re fully covered. Because when patients notice the difference in how they look, how they feel, and how they age, you’ll want the confidence of knowing that your clinic is protected, too.