Hyaluronic acid injections are rapidly increasing as an aesthetic treatment in Finland. The treatment is not regulated by Valvira as it is classified as a CE- marked medical device. This means that no healthcare or medical training is required to inject the products available on the market. Inadequate training, knowledge, and guidelines for the safer application of fillers and management of complications do not exist for this treatment. There is an increased risk of complications, not only for the non-healthcare professionals but also the trained nurses that attempt to self-learn and treat patients despite the lack of official guidelines and adequate anatomical knowledge. The purpose of this thesis is to condense the existing knowledge and considerations into a Finnish functional guide and checklist before treatment and highlight the most important areas that need to be mastered before treating any patients. The aim of this guide is to increase safety of the patient and improve treatment out-comes. This functional guide will shine light on the subject and benefit nurses that are looking to acquire the appropriate skillset for this treatment. The guide will reduce the risk of complications and increase safety and practical knowledge, help avoid complications and how to treat them. The data has been collected from scientific research articles and books limited to 2010. All research points out a few main considerations. Patient assessment, anatomical knowledge, product placement and understanding the possible complications and how to manage them.

A written guideline, checklist and complication management list has been produced with the key concepts. The Theoretical framework and prototypes have been appraised by a Medical Doctor specializing in plastic surgery and a Registered Nurse, adding transparency and validity to this thesis from a medical and nursing perspective. The appraisals were considered in the final prosses of this thesis before making changes to the prototype and final product. The guide will be tested and used in practice by nurses participating in filler workshops at the Face Designers clinic in Helsinki that specializes in fillers and training professionals in their application.

The guidelines do not replace an extensive anatomical knowledgebase or medical training and should only help to point out the areas of concern and help checklist when assessing patients for treatment.