You may not be aware that the ability for any health care provider to enter aesthetic practice is very easy. They can take one online or 4 hour class that “certifies” them as an aesthetic provider and they can set up shop. There are pros and cons to this. But aesthetic patients need to be aware and know what questions to ask their potential injector.
The aesthetic industry is still relatively new and new products and procedures are coming to market all the time. It is a lot to keep up with and one 4 hour class or even one full day class does not an aesthetic injector make!
Experience matters and who they are trained by matters. When I was first trained I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Scary right?!? This is true of any aesthetic injector. The number of patients they see matters as well. There are some things you just have to learn over time so knowing your injector has been willing to put in the time and effort to be the best they can be is key.
Here are a few tips on finding the right injector:
1. Look at their website. Do they use only company “stock” photos or do they have their own before and afters? It takes time to have a catalog of before and after phots of patients treated. If the facility you are considering has them then they have put in the time to be a better injector.
2. What is their professional designation? In some states medical assistants and dental assistants can inject. Frightening right!!! No matter how you want to slice it injecting botox, filler and threads are MEDICAL PROCEDURES. You have to be able to prescribe to have them and use them. If you elect to see a medical assistant or dental assistant for your care at the very least you need a face to face evaluation (either in person or via zoom) with a physician, Nurse Practitioner or Physician’s Assistant to review your medical history, assess you, and order the procedures to be done by the other provider. Even if your injector is a RN….you have to have a medical evaluation otherwise, they are practicing medicine without a license. If this is not happening…….RUN.
3. They should take your medical imaging photos. If they do not take photos before any injection, peel, or laser procedure. RUN. This is standard of care in the industry.
4. Look at their face. If their aesthetic scares you….RUN. I am not saying your injector needs to look perfect. Perfection is not attainable. But if they look weird, like a clown, or that they may be on the next episode of Botched. They way they look is the look they like at best or at worst is a sign they may have body dysmorphia RUN!
5. Ask questions:
* How long have you been injecting?
*Ask about complications and how they are prepared to handle them….if they cannot answer this well…..RUN.
* Ask how often they participate or attend trainings.
*Ask how many patients they see in a week. If they get defensive….that is a red flag
*Ask about their training, how long they have been injecting,
*See if you can feel their passion for your results or plan of care. Are they ho-hum about it and is this just a “side gig” to make extra money. No passion = no treatment
6. Call their office. Are the staff on the phone kind? Do they treat you well? Do they care? The attitude of the support staff trickles down from the leadership in the office. Does the office have a vibe you want to be part of?
7. Do they offer you a full face consultation? Allergan (the makers of Botox) did a study that showed 94% of aesthetic patients want a full face consultation. Is you injector a line chaser or do they care about your whole face aesthetic? A full face approach gives more natural and long lasting results and any injector worth their salt knows this.
8. Will they tell you no?? If you are asking for something not in your best interest a great injector will educate you and direct you toward what is right for you. If your injector is not willing to tell you no and then offer your a more appropriate option they are probably not making choices in your best interest. No one needs a “yes person’ injector. You want an educated injector with a back-bone who can tell you what you really need.
Written By: Jenny Guthrie ARPN-CNP, CEO.
