A Guide to finding the best cosmetic doctor for Botox and dermal fillers treatments
Non-surgical facial aesthetics treatments are becoming more and more popular. Several years ago they were the preserve of the rich and famous. With 50,000 cosmetic surgery procedures performed in the UK in 2013 and an estimated 10 times that number of non-surgical treatments there are clearly more and more choices. Unfortunately, there are also many ‘cowboys’ out there. For instance, Botox is now offered in many places, from aesthetic clinics to medi-spas and to nail salons and hairdressers; with so many choices at varying price points it can be daunting to know which one to choose – the promises of younger looking skin and no more wrinkles are everywhere.
It is vital that you do your research and ensure your safety comes first; it’s not a good idea to just pop to your local beautician on a whim without doing the proper research. It is your face, after all.
5 Questions To Ask When Choosing A Cosmetic Doctor
Are they full-time or part-time?
How long has the doctor been injecting, FULL-TIME? The longer the better. Many practitioners offer treatments such as Botox and Dermal Fillers as a ‘hobby’ or ‘on the side’. More often than not, their main job is a nurse or doctor in a completely different specialty. This can be an indication that they are not as skilled or experienced. A surgeon performing injectables one day per week, would take a long time to become skilled in injecting.
How long has the doctor been at their current practice and how long has their practice been established?
This indicates trustworthiness, stability and reputation.
Does the doctor perform any other type of medicine/surgery?
Many practitioners offer treatments such as Botox and Dermal Fillers as a ‘hobby’ or ‘on the side’. More often than not, their main job is a nurse or doctor in a completely different specialty. This can be an indication that they are not as skilled or experienced. A surgeon performing injectables one day per week, would take a long time to become skilled in injecting.
What happens if there’s complications and how they deal with them?
Be wary of practitioners who claim a history of no complications. If a practitioner does enough procedures, they will unfortunately come across complications. It is a matter of the practitioner knowing how to spot the signs and symptoms of impending complications and deal with them accordingly. Ask them what their procedure is should a complication arise.
Does the doctor’s aesthetic sense and vision match your own?
Botox GlasgowThe way to do this is to check their website for before and after photos of THEIR OWN WORK.
The majority of practitioners use stock photos provided by product manufacturers. These are completely unhelpful in helping you see if the doctor shares your aesthetic sense and vision. Using stock photos also raises the question of how skilled and experienced the practitioner actually is.
9-Point Plan To Find Right Doctor For Your Cosmetic Treatment
Find an experienced injector
Many types of doctors, nurses, and ‘aestheticians’ perform Botox and dermal filler injections. Most countries in Europe forbid nurses inject Botox and dermal filler. In Australia, nurses are allowed to inject but only providing a doctor is on site and supervising. Be sure the doctor you choose has extensive experience in performing the procedure. Don’t be misled by fancy degrees and the number of letters that follow the provider’s last name. There are some doctors who will personally give the injections themselves, whereas many plastic surgeons and medical spas have nurses and aestheticians doing all their Botox and dermal filler treatments.
One thing that is very important is an excellent knowledge of facial anatomy and an eye for facial aesthetics. An experienced doctor of Botox and dermal filler treatments will know exactly where to inject to provide you with the results you desire.
Quality over price
Because of the popularity of Botox and dermal filler treatments, nowadays many places are offering these procedures at cheap prices. There is saying that ‘You Get What You Pay For’ and this cannot be any more true when it comes to medical procedures. If a price seems too good to be true then it probably is as the quality of the product and the practitioner will also be lower.
There are some botox clinics that are offering Botox at ridiculously cheap prices, but cheapest is not always best, don’t make your decision on price alone. There are reports in the US of unscrupulous practitioners injecting “fake Botox”, or giving diluted doses or sometimes unregulated versions of the medicine.
Fancy titles
Don’t be taken in by unusual or unrecognisable titles such as ‘Advanced Aesthetic Practitioner’ or ‘Harley Street trained practitioner’. Fancy titles do not reflect the skills and experienced of the practitioner.
Clinic or beauty salon or hairdressing salon?
Exercise caution when it comes to non-mainstream premises; hair dressers, department stores, nail and beauty salons etc that are now offering Botox and dermal filler treatments. Medical cosmetic injections should only be carried out by an appropriately trained medical practitioner; not by beauty therapists who lack the necessary clinical background. Medical treatments such as Botox and dermal filler injections should only be carried out in a clean, safe and appropriate clinical environment to avoid infection and even permanent physical damage.
Consultation and follow-up service
Most reputable clinics now offer free consultations to patients who are curious about the procedure and want to find out more. This is good practice and allows you to check the premises and staff to make sure you feel comfortable. This is also a great opportunity to ask the doctor any questions or raise any concerns you may have. There should be no pressure to have the treatment at the end of the free consultation. Ensure the clinic has a follow up service.
Check out the appearance of the staff and the clinic
Are the staff overdone? Is the clinic clean, tidy and functional? Are there good systems in place? All of these clues will give you an idea about whether you are going to get the service at the level that you expect.
Landline or mobile phone number?
On the practitioner’s brochure or business card, is there a mobile number or a landline. Clearly a practitioner without a landline should raise some red flags.
Check the doctor’s online reviews
This is highly recommended, albeit with a sophisticated and cautious approach insofar as online reviews may be solicited or inauthentic.
Ask your friends, colleagues and relatives
Your hairdresser and beauty therapist are great places to start! They talk all day long about such things and have access to a large number of clients. You can’t go wrong with this tip. Ask your friends or colleagues who have had this treatment for their opinions about their doctors. When attending a cosmetic consultation, it is not a bad idea to bring with you a friend who has had the treatment before. They will know better than you what questions to ask. Also, does the doctor offer you the option of speaking to his/her past patients?
This article originally published at Essence Medical Cosmetic Clinic Blog here
It is vital that you do your research and ensure your safety comes first; it’s not a good idea to just pop to your local beautician on a whim without doing the proper research. It is your face, after all.
5 Questions To Ask When Choosing A Cosmetic Doctor
Are they full-time or part-time?
How long has the doctor been injecting, FULL-TIME? The longer the better. Many practitioners offer treatments such as Botox and Dermal Fillers as a ‘hobby’ or ‘on the side’. More often than not, their main job is a nurse or doctor in a completely different specialty. This can be an indication that they are not as skilled or experienced. A surgeon performing injectables one day per week, would take a long time to become skilled in injecting.
How long has the doctor been at their current practice and how long has their practice been established?
This indicates trustworthiness, stability and reputation.
Does the doctor perform any other type of medicine/surgery?
Many practitioners offer treatments such as Botox and Dermal Fillers as a ‘hobby’ or ‘on the side’. More often than not, their main job is a nurse or doctor in a completely different specialty. This can be an indication that they are not as skilled or experienced. A surgeon performing injectables one day per week, would take a long time to become skilled in injecting.
What happens if there’s complications and how they deal with them?
Be wary of practitioners who claim a history of no complications. If a practitioner does enough procedures, they will unfortunately come across complications. It is a matter of the practitioner knowing how to spot the signs and symptoms of impending complications and deal with them accordingly. Ask them what their procedure is should a complication arise.
Does the doctor’s aesthetic sense and vision match your own?
Botox GlasgowThe way to do this is to check their website for before and after photos of THEIR OWN WORK.
The majority of practitioners use stock photos provided by product manufacturers. These are completely unhelpful in helping you see if the doctor shares your aesthetic sense and vision. Using stock photos also raises the question of how skilled and experienced the practitioner actually is.
9-Point Plan To Find Right Doctor For Your Cosmetic Treatment
Find an experienced injector
Many types of doctors, nurses, and ‘aestheticians’ perform Botox and dermal filler injections. Most countries in Europe forbid nurses inject Botox and dermal filler. In Australia, nurses are allowed to inject but only providing a doctor is on site and supervising. Be sure the doctor you choose has extensive experience in performing the procedure. Don’t be misled by fancy degrees and the number of letters that follow the provider’s last name. There are some doctors who will personally give the injections themselves, whereas many plastic surgeons and medical spas have nurses and aestheticians doing all their Botox and dermal filler treatments.
One thing that is very important is an excellent knowledge of facial anatomy and an eye for facial aesthetics. An experienced doctor of Botox and dermal filler treatments will know exactly where to inject to provide you with the results you desire.
Quality over price
Because of the popularity of Botox and dermal filler treatments, nowadays many places are offering these procedures at cheap prices. There is saying that ‘You Get What You Pay For’ and this cannot be any more true when it comes to medical procedures. If a price seems too good to be true then it probably is as the quality of the product and the practitioner will also be lower.
There are some botox clinics that are offering Botox at ridiculously cheap prices, but cheapest is not always best, don’t make your decision on price alone. There are reports in the US of unscrupulous practitioners injecting “fake Botox”, or giving diluted doses or sometimes unregulated versions of the medicine.
Fancy titles
Don’t be taken in by unusual or unrecognisable titles such as ‘Advanced Aesthetic Practitioner’ or ‘Harley Street trained practitioner’. Fancy titles do not reflect the skills and experienced of the practitioner.
Clinic or beauty salon or hairdressing salon?
Exercise caution when it comes to non-mainstream premises; hair dressers, department stores, nail and beauty salons etc that are now offering Botox and dermal filler treatments. Medical cosmetic injections should only be carried out by an appropriately trained medical practitioner; not by beauty therapists who lack the necessary clinical background. Medical treatments such as Botox and dermal filler injections should only be carried out in a clean, safe and appropriate clinical environment to avoid infection and even permanent physical damage.
Consultation and follow-up service
Most reputable clinics now offer free consultations to patients who are curious about the procedure and want to find out more. This is good practice and allows you to check the premises and staff to make sure you feel comfortable. This is also a great opportunity to ask the doctor any questions or raise any concerns you may have. There should be no pressure to have the treatment at the end of the free consultation. Ensure the clinic has a follow up service.
Check out the appearance of the staff and the clinic
Are the staff overdone? Is the clinic clean, tidy and functional? Are there good systems in place? All of these clues will give you an idea about whether you are going to get the service at the level that you expect.
Landline or mobile phone number?
On the practitioner’s brochure or business card, is there a mobile number or a landline. Clearly a practitioner without a landline should raise some red flags.
Check the doctor’s online reviews
This is highly recommended, albeit with a sophisticated and cautious approach insofar as online reviews may be solicited or inauthentic.
Ask your friends, colleagues and relatives
Your hairdresser and beauty therapist are great places to start! They talk all day long about such things and have access to a large number of clients. You can’t go wrong with this tip. Ask your friends or colleagues who have had this treatment for their opinions about their doctors. When attending a cosmetic consultation, it is not a bad idea to bring with you a friend who has had the treatment before. They will know better than you what questions to ask. Also, does the doctor offer you the option of speaking to his/her past patients?
This article originally published at Essence Medical Cosmetic Clinic Blog here
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