When you look for information about skin procedures, you come across some very bold texts. While reading them, keep one measure to hand: what may and may not be said in health content is set by regulation.
In brief
The Regulation on Promotion and Information Activities in Health Services draws the boundaries of health content. A text that stays inside that boundary tells you about the process; a text that steps outside it promises you a result.
Any statement that promises a result breaches the regulation.
What does the regulation prohibit?
The following may not appear in health content. If you come across them, that text does not comply with the regulation.
- Explanations about methods whose correctness has not been established scientifically and clinically, and statements that such methods “treat diseases or help in their treatment” (Art. 5(ç)).
- A specialty title based on a certificate. The regulation states that, apart from primary specialties and subspecialties, “no specialty title based on a certificate or similar training document, under any name” may be written (Art. 5(d)).
- Posts in the nature of advertising that draw on patient experience (Art. 5(e)).
- Content that directs the patient, whether directly or indirectly (Art. 5(f)).
- Wording that creates the impression that a device, product or service is superior to others and that “abuses people’s trust or exploits their lack of knowledge”; covert or open brand promotion and links to a brand’s website (Art. 5(h)).
- Presenting quotations from scientific publications and statistics “in a way that produces conclusions different from what they in fact are” (Art. 5(ğ)).
- Information involving fees or price advantages (Art. 5(m)).
- Marketing activities such as inducements, prize draws and gifts (Art. 5(l)).
For visual content, the regulation also requires before-and-after images to be shown “in the same setting and under the same technical conditions”, requires the date of the procedure and the date the image was taken to be stated, and prohibits “subsequent technological alteration or correction” of the images (Art. 7).
How does the guideline draw the limit of the procedure?
The Mesotherapy Application Guideline (opens in a new tab) of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye puts it in one sentence:
“No claim may be made that it will eliminate a disease or treat it on its own.”
The guideline gives a framework for the intervals between sessions; but a definite number of sessions cannot be given in advance. Suitability is decided at the end of the examination, according to the person.
In which patients does the conversation about expectations matter most?
- In patients considering a procedure for the first time (discussing expectations at the outset shapes every step that follows)
- In patients wanting to be ready by a particular date (time pressure rushes the decision)
- In patients who feel a previous procedure did not give them what they expected (what was expected is discussed first)
- In patients with an undiagnosed skin lesion (a dermatology assessment comes first)
- In patients with a co-existing picture involving thyroid function, the course of blood sugar, iron and B12 status or the sleep routine (these headings are reviewed before any procedure)
What should you look for when reading a text?
- Does it promise a result? Any statement promising a timescale, a rate or a change lies outside the boundary.
- Does it quote figures? Success percentages, commitments to a number of sessions and “in this much time” statements do not comply with the regulation.
- Does a brand name appear? A text naming a device, product or solution breaches Art. 5(h).
- Does it state who it is not suitable for? A text that does not say who the procedure is not carried out in is incomplete.
- Does it state the side effects? A text that does not state the risks is incomplete.
- Does it cite sources, and are those sources commercial? An authoritative source is not a site selling a product.
- Who wrote it, and when was it last updated? The regulation requires the date of the last update and the contact details of the site’s editor to be stated clearly (Art. 5(ı)).
Do not make a decision on the basis of a text where you cannot find the answers to these questions.
Points to be aware of, and the limits
Results vary from person to person. A change seen in one person cannot be stated in advance for another.
A procedure is not presented as an obligation. Deciding not to have it is also a decision.
Do not compare yourself with images. The regulation sets out detailed rules for images; even so, a great many images circulate online whose shooting conditions and editing are unknown. No before-and-after images are used on this site.
The language of urgency is a warning sign. Time limits, countdowns and “last day” wording do not belong in health content.
This article is not legal advice. It is a summary of the regulation’s provisions written for patients; the full text is in the sources.
When should you see a physician without delay?
If you experience these symptoms during treatment, contact your physician without delay:
- Increasing redness, warmth, swelling or discharge at the site
- A high fever
- Spreading bruising
- Pain that keeps increasing
- Swelling that persists or keeps increasing
- A widespread rash or itching
In the event of swelling of the face or tongue, shortness of breath, a change in consciousness or blanching of the skin, go directly to the emergency department.
Frequently asked questions
Can the result of a skin procedure be stated in advance?
No. Results vary from person to person and cannot be stated in advance. The Mesotherapy Application Guideline states that no claim may be made that a procedure will eliminate a disease or treat it on its own.
Can the number of sessions be stated in advance?
No. A definite number of sessions cannot be given in advance; it is set according to the person, the complaint and the outcome of the assessment, and reviewed as things go on.
Why are there no patient experiences on this site?
The regulation prohibits posts in the nature of advertising that draw on statements by patients or their relatives about a health service (Art. 5(e)). For that reason there is no such section on this site.
Why are before-and-after images not published?
The regulation sets detailed conditions for such images: the same setting and technical conditions, stating the dates of the procedure and of the image, no subsequent correction, and explicit consent from the patient. Before-and-after images are not used on this site.
Why is price information not published?
The regulation prohibits information involving fees or price advantages in promotion and information activities (Art. 5(m)).
Can a title based on a certificate be used for skin procedures?
No. The regulation prohibits writing or using a specialty title based on a certificate or similar training document, apart from primary specialties and subspecialties (Art. 5(d)). Training received and certificates registered by the Ministry may, however, be listed as documents.
Why do product and device brand names not appear?
The regulation prohibits covert or open brand promotion and links to a brand’s website (Art. 5(h)). Devices, products and solutions are therefore referred to only by their generic names.
Sources
- Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye, Regulation on Promotion and Information Activities in Health Services, Official Gazette 12 November 2025 / 33075. https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2025/11/20251112-2.htm (opens in a new tab)
- Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye, Directorate General of Health Services, Mesotherapy Application Guideline, Ankara, 2025. https://ekutuphane.saglik.gov.tr/Yayin/694 (opens in a new tab)
