Aesthetic clinic contract: compliance, transparency, and real responsibilities

In the aesthetics industry, especially in aesthetic technologies, many services such as laser hair removal, photorejuvenation, microneedling, radiofrequency, and chemical peels require a series of appointments spaced over time in order to achieve optimal results. As soon as a merchant structures a program or package of successive appointments, it becomes essential to consider the client’s commitment rules, particularly the distinction between billing per individual visit and collecting a prepaid package for a series of visits. In Québec, the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) sets out specific rules governing how these programs or packages must be presented, how prices must be displayed, how cancellations must be handled, and, most importantly, whether a successive execution aesthetic clinic contract is legally required.

Official reference: Act on Légis Québec

What is a successive execution aesthetic clinic contract?

A successive execution aesthetic clinic contract refers to a service delivered over a period of time, with obligations that continue over time. In practice, it is not “one appointment = one service,” but rather “one commitment = a program or package.” In the context of aesthetic services, the use of a successive execution aesthetic contract becomes relevant when the merchant voluntarily structures the offer so that the client commits to a specific number of visits at a predetermined cost, rather than billing each appointment individually.

In the world of aesthetic technologies, this situation typically arises when you sell a package, a program, or a series of visits at a total price, with payment terms and conditions that cover the entire service journey. In this specific context, the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) provides rules governing successive execution service contracts (notably in sections 188 and following, depending on the nature of the service and how the aesthetic clinic contract is concluded), which requires you to design an aesthetic contract that is properly drafted and signed by the client in order to be compliant.

Scenario: understanding your obligations

Imagine you offer aesthetic services that require several successive appointments, spaced out by waiting periods to optimize results. You inform your client that, to achieve the best possible outcomes, it is recommended to follow a complete program or package of visits. However, the contractual implications vary depending on how you structure your service.

Series of visits: the difference between a recommendation and a contractual commitment

In day-to-day institute life, there are two common ways to present a series of treatments. If you bill each visit separately, without requiring the client to complete a specific number of appointments, you are generally operating in a model where each session is a distinct transaction. You can recommend a protocol (“ideally 6 sessions”), explain the interval between appointments, and display your per-visit price—while still allowing the client to stop whenever they choose. At this stage, the main issue is transparency: price, terms, cancellation policy, service limitations, and realistic expectations.

By contrast, if you ask the client to commit to a defined number of visits (ex., 6 sessions), at a predetermined price (total or monthly), with terms (payments, penalties, termination, etc.), you are moving into a framework where an aesthetic clinic contract may become necessary, and where the CPA requires sufficiently complete content and proper delivery. For an accessible overview of the CPA (for both consumers and merchants), Éducaloi provides a helpful summary of the law’s intent and scope.

Paper contracts, distance contracts, and electronic contracts: what you need to secure

Today, many aesthetic businesses have clients sign documents on tablets, send confirmations by email, sell packages through a website, or collect payments remotely. The CPA also governs distance contracts (online, by phone, etc.) and imposes requirements so that the consumer can keep the aesthetic clinic contract, consult it, and, if needed, prove it. The goal is always the same: avoid ambiguity and protect both parties.

Concretely, if you use a digital format, you want the client experience to be flawless: explicit consent, readable information, the ability to download/print, and clear archiving in the client file. That is exactly where an online client record software becomes an operational advantage: it reduces oversights, standardizes forms, and makes proof easier in the event of a dispute.

If you choose to offer an aesthetic clinic contract in electronic format, sections 54.1 to 54.7 set out the rules to follow to ensure validity:

Transparency first: pricing, terms, cancellations, and expectations (the basics that prevent 80% of issues)

Whether you sell per session or as a program/package, the golden rule is to document what the client truly understands at the time of purchase: cost, what is included, what is not included, the time between appointments, rescheduling conditions, cancellation policies, and reasonable limitations (variable results, contraindications, aftercare, etc.). The CPA contains general rules and disclosure obligations designed to prevent a consumer from agreeing to something they did not understand. If you are unsure about how the law applies to a concrete situation, the Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC) is a reliable and official reference.

“Rock-solid” best practices for aesthetic managers (and staying compliant)

If your goal is to sell outcomes (which often means series of visits), the best reflex is to choose a clear business structure from the start. If you want to maximize client flexibility, you present a recommended plan, bill each visit individually, and ensure the client receives a transparent explanation of costs and terms. If you want to secure a commitment (package, program, installment payments), you frame everything with strong documentation: service description, approximate schedule, total price, payment terms, cancellation/termination conditions, and proof of consent.

To help you save time while staying structured, you can rely on our library of 60+ standardized forms, which includes consent forms for every service in your business.

To explore another key compliance topic: Read our article: Maintenance of aesthetic devices: compliance, transparency, and real responsibilities

Tuesday, January 28, 2026 | © Esthetik Vault Inc. All rights reserved.