When it comes to facial treatments, it is crucial to have high expectations of both the practitioner and the clinic. After all, we’re talking about your face!

Nowadays, there are many practitioners offering medical aesthetic treatments, making it difficult to choose the right one. While we are all familiar with the horror stories of people experiencing severe complications from treatments in questionable practices, there are many other potential risks to consider. In this blog post, I share some important points to help you choose a suitable practitioner and clinic for your aesthetic treatments, such as injectables.

This blog post primarily focuses on injectables and non-surgical treatments. If you are looking for aesthetic surgery, such as a breast augmentation or a tummy tuck, you can check out this blog post and video where I explain how to choose the best plastic surgeon for your procedure. Surgery is even more invasive and significant than facial injectables, so it’s essential to make the right choice in this regard.

1. Over-Filling or Never Saying “No”

A practitioner who never says “no” is a direct red flag. Dermal fillers often last longer in the body than previously thought, and it’s not always necessary to top them up every few months. If a practitioner continues to fill without taking a break, it can lead to an unnatural, puffy appearance. It’s important to choose a practitioner who is not afraid to say “no,” as they have the expertise to determine which treatments are best suited for you and will keep you looking natural.

2. Short Appointment Times

If your appointment feels rushed or too short, this is often a sign that something is wrong. Aesthetic treatments require time, and you should feel well cared for from the moment you walk in until the appointment is completed. Overbooked schedules and rushed appointments can lead to mistakes, poor results, and dissatisfied clients. Each appointment should allow sufficient time for:

• Discussing your medical history
• Providing informed consent and addressing any questions
• Explaining the treatment and what to expect
• Performing the treatment itself (if applicable)
• Discussing aftercare instructions
• Guiding you to the front desk for payment and scheduling a follow-up appointment

3. The Practitioner Is Not a Doctor

This is an important aspect that is often overlooked. In Belgium, it is legally prohibited for anyone without a medical degree to perform facial injections. There is a misconception that there are no risks when non-medically trained individuals, such as beauticians, perform injections. This is absolutely false!

Every injection in the face carries certain medical risks. Therefore, it is essential that they are performed by a doctor with thorough knowledge of anatomy and the ability to minimize complications. Additionally, every doctor performing injections should typically have liability insurance in case something goes wrong. Individuals without medical training are usually not insured, posing an additional risk.

4. Constantly Pushing Procedures or Having a “Salesy” Attitude

If you feel pressured to undergo treatments, this can be a warning sign. Doctors should always have your best interests at heart and recommend treatments and products that suit your specific needs.

5. Inability to Answer Basic Medical Questions or Explain How They Handle Emergencies

If a practitioner struggles to answer basic questions about a procedure, this should be a major warning sign. If they feel offended by questions based on what you’ve read or heard, this is also a problem. Practitioners with the right education, licenses, and training should be confident in their knowledge and willing to answer all your questions, no matter where they come from.

6. Lack of Communication and Follow-Up

Good communication is key to a successful and trusting relationship, and this also applies to your relationship with your practitioner. Important forms of communication and follow-up include:

• Reminder messages for your appointment
• Easy accessibility of the clinic during business hours (and an emergency contact for after hours)
• Feeling comfortable sharing information, asking questions, and expressing any concerns
• Follow-up appointments two weeks after all treatments
• Access to scheduling follow-up appointments (online, via SMS, or by phone)

7. Very Low Prices

If the price seems too good to be true, it usually is. Quality aesthetic treatments are not cheap for several reasons, such as using authentic products, equipment costs, and the expertise of the practitioner. If a treatment is offered at a significantly low price, it often indicates that quality is being compromised or that illegal practices are occurring.

8. Not Following Basic Sanitary Protocols

Failure to follow basic sanitary protocols by a practitioner can have serious consequences. Some examples of poor hygiene practices include:

• Not washing or sanitizing hands before starting the procedure
• Not wearing gloves or failing to change them after touching unsanitary surfaces
• Not cleaning the client’s skin before the treatment
• Touching the needle during injection or cleaning it with gauze
• Not sanitizing the treatment chair or table between clients

While some of these examples may seem minor, they are crucial steps in preventing infections and other complications.

Conclusion

Choosing the right practitioner and clinic for aesthetic treatments requires careful consideration and attention to detail. Your face is precious, and you want to ensure you are in the best hands. By paying attention to the above red flags, you can minimize risks and increase the likelihood of a safe, professional, and satisfying experience.

Remember, aesthetic treatments are medical procedures, and you always have the right to ask questions and be fully informed about every step of the process. Trust your instincts and don’t hesitate to seek another provider if something doesn’t feel right. Your safety and satisfaction are of utmost importance.