Facial harmonization contract: the clauses that matter
Quick facts
- Contract vs. consent
- The contract covers the commercial relationship; the consent form covers clinical information.
- Usual clauses
- Service, fees, payment, rescheduling, touch-ups, images, data and jurisdiction.
- Caution
- Do not promise results or exclude liability that the law does not allow to be excluded.
- Review
- Have a lawyer review it, in line with your professional council's rules, before using it.
Many practices work only with the consent form and leave the commercial side to a verbal agreement. That works until the first disagreement over price, touch-ups, cancellation or use of images. A well-written contract is not bureaucracy: it is a way of agreeing in advance on what both sides expect.
Are the contract and the consent form the same thing?
No. The informed consent records that the patient received information about the procedure, its risks, alternatives and limits, and agreed. The contract covers the service relationship: what will be done, how much it costs, how it is paid, what happens if it is canceled. They complement each other, and it is common for a practice to have both, sometimes in the same document but in separate sections.
Which clauses usually go in?
| Clause | What it usually contains |
|---|---|
| Identification of the parties | Details of the professional or clinic and of the patient |
| Subject | Description of the service, areas and planned treatment |
| Fees and payment | Price, method, installments, deadlines |
| Rescheduling and cancellation | Deadlines, fees and refunds, stated clearly |
| Follow-ups and touch-ups | What is included, timeframe and conditions |
| Obligation undertaken | Commitment to providing the service, with no promise of results |
| Images | Internal use in the patient record and possible publication with specific authorization |
| Personal data | Handling in accordance with LGPD (Brazil's data protection law) |
| Jurisdiction and final provisions | Place for resolving disputes and validity |
The list is an overview, not a ready-made template. Every practice has its particularities, and the text should reflect yours.
Obligation of means or of result?
This is one of the points that generates the most legal debate. How the service is described, the advertising and the conversation with the patient all influence the interpretation. So avoid any promise of results in the contract and in communication. The text should describe the service and the technique, not promise the outcome. To understand the subject better, see obligation of means and of result.
Images and data
Before and after photos are sensitive data. The contract should distinguish internal use in the patient record from use for publication, which requires specific authorization that is freely given and can be revoked. See consent and LGPD for photos. Never make treatment conditional on authorization for publication.
What to avoid in the text
- Clauses that guarantee results or promise "guaranteed satisfaction".
- Total exclusion of liability, which is usually invalid in consumer relationships.
- Fine print, ambiguous terms and obscure deadlines.
- Making the patient waive rights that the law guarantees.
- Charging a disproportionate penalty for cancellation.
- A generic image-use authorization buried in the contract.
When the patient disagrees
If the patient asks for changes, treat it as a conversation. Some may be accepted, others not. What you should not do is pressure them to sign the same day. Letting them take the document home is good practice, especially for higher-value plans. Record what was agreed and keep a signed copy with the patient record.
Myth or fact
Where Harmy fits in
Harmy helps with the commercial stage through the PDF quote: price per ml per area, discount, validity in days, notes and the option to include the images, with the clinic's name and logo. The quote does not replace the contract, and the projection should always be presented as an illustrative simulation, never as a commitment to a result.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a contract to do facial harmonization?
It is good practice to have a written document that records the service, the fees, the terms and the consent. The format and content should be reviewed by a lawyer and follow your professional council's rules.
What is the difference between a contract and an informed consent form?
The contract governs the commercial relationship (service, price, payment, cancellation). The consent form records the clinical information given to the patient about the procedure, risks and alternatives. They are usually separate documents, and both matter.
Can the contract guarantee the result?
It should not. Promising results is inappropriate in healthcare, and clauses that guarantee results can be problematic. The commitment is usually to providing the service with appropriate technique.
Can the patient cancel or ask for a refund?
The rules depend on what was agreed and on the consumer legislation that applies. The contract should set out the terms for cancellation, rescheduling and refunds clearly.
Harmy images are illustrative simulations generated by AI from the patient's photo to support the conversation between practitioner and patient. They are not a promise of results. Indication, technique, product and volume are solely the decision of the licensed practitioner. This content is for information only and does not replace a clinical assessment.