How to communicate S4 medicine on Instagram.
Instagram has become an essential marketplace for direct communication with patients, industry professionals, and media. In today’s fast-paced environment, it is more important than ever to communicate clearly, quickly, and in full compliance with regulatory standards. Our photographic installs have consistently set the standard in this space. Remarkably, many first-year aesthetic clinics utilising our services achieve objective documentation quality that surpasses even established medical journals.
Recent reinforcement from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has introduced challenges for many clinics in marketing their services effectively on platforms like Instagram. Navigating these regulations requires a deep understanding of the importance of objective, reproducible, and compliant clinical photography—not just for marketing purposes but as a cornerstone for patient assessment, medico-legal record-keeping, and professional education.
Since 2020 the guidelines to assist in guidelines have been quite clear :
“Advertising higher risk non-surgical cosmetic procedures”
Care should be taken when using ‘before and after’ images in advertising a regulated health service as they
have the potential to be misleading or deceptive. These images may cause a member of the public to have
unreasonable expectations of a successful outcome.
Use of ‘before and after’ images are less likely to be misleading if:
“the images are as similar as possible in content, camera angle, background, framing and exposure
the posture, clothing and make-up is consistent
the lighting and contrast is consistent
there is an explanation if images have been altered in any way
the referenced treatment or procedure is the only visible change to the person being photographed.”
I’d say that’s definitely not compliant
Recognizing this need, we have developed and curated case studies and guidelines demonstrating how to accurately and compliantly communicate the use of Schedule 4 (S4) medicines on Instagram. These examples ensure that your messaging remains transparent, ethically aligned, and legally sound while engaging your audience . A focus on anatomy, patient goals and age appropriate considerations should be your primary focus.
Symetry Aesthetics, Sydney NSW
Voiceovers and annotation with our cloud based database means you can create engaging educational content without breaching the guidelines.
Our approach emphasises the primary role of clinical imagery as a reliable tool for documenting treatment journeys and outcomes. These images provide clinicians with robust records that protect patients and practitioners alike. Moreover, they serve as valuable educational resources within your practice and industry networks.
Our high resolution cameras allow you to crop into multiple indications from one image.
By incorporating strong, compliant photographic protocols from the outset, clinics can build trust, enhance professional credibility, and successfully navigate the evolving landscape of aesthetic medicine communication on social media. Our expertise is here to support you in achieving these goals efficiently and confidently.
Cloud based workflow means you can discuss patient anatomy and goals in real time.