Dermal fillers and treatment

Who may provide filler treatment?

Only doctors with a specialist licence in dermatology or plastic surgery are permitted to provide filler treatment. However, other doctors, dentists and nurses are also permitted to provide filler treatment, provided that certain conditions regarding adequate knowledge and facilities at the practice are met. This is laid down in Regulation No. 170/2025. The Directorate of Health supervises healthcare professionals and healthcare services under the Lög um landlækni og lýðheilsu (Directorate of Health and Public Health Act).

Who may receive fillers?

It is prohibited to provide filler treatment to children under the age of 18.

Those intending to receive filler treatment must be given clear information. In addition, they must be given written and oral information, and their informed consent must be obtained at least 48 hours before treatment, so that there is time for reflection between the provision of information and the treatment. The treatment area must also be photographed before and after treatment. The Directorate of Health supervises healthcare professionals and healthcare services under the Lög um landlækni og lýðheilsu (Directorate of Health and Public Health Act).

Dissolving agents

If for any reason it is considered necessary to dissolve a filler, it should be noted that dissolving agents such as hyaluronidase are prescription-only medicines and should only be administered by a healthcare professional authorised to do so.

If a prescription medicine has been used for a person other than the one for whom it was prescribed, this is considered illegal use and should, where appropriate, be reported to the police.

Incidents and suspected adverse reactions

IMA is responsible for supervising that fillers, like other medical devices, meet the requirements that apply to them under laws, regulations and manufacturers' instructions. The Directorate of Health, on the other hand, supervises the work of healthcare professionals and must also confirm that the operation of the practices of those authorised to provide filler treatment meets professional requirements, as laid down in the Lög um landlækni og lýðheilsu, No. 41/2007 (Directorate of Health and Public Health Act).

Please note that anyone who experiences severe or prolonged discomfort from the use of medical devices or medicines should contact a doctor or other healthcare professional for an assessment of their symptoms and advice.

Incident reports concerning the use of medical devices are important for improving safety. Please note that anyone who manufactures, sells, distributes, owns or uses medical devices and is aware of an incident, deviation, defect or malfunction that could cause or has caused harm to the health of a user, or their death, is obliged to report it to IMA. Healthcare professionals, users and relatives are encouraged to report all incidents suspected of being related to a medical device and its use.

Reports of adverse drug reactions are likewise an important part of the overall picture of medicine safety. It is therefore essential that they reach the medicines authorities in each country. Anyone can report an adverse drug reaction to IMA, even if it is only a suspicion.