6 ways to make the most of your Dermal Filler consultation
If you’re ready to embark on a journey into the world of injectable aesthetic treatments, it’s essential to spend some time researching clinics and know what to ask when attending a consultation with your chosen practitioner. Whether you’re new to non-surgical treatments or have been having dermal fillers for years, the consultation is the most critical part of the process. This is where patients can thoroughly discuss their concerns, while the medical practitioner assesses their skin and understands what they’d like to achieve from treatment.
As your consultation date gets closer, you might be wondering if there is anything you can do ahead of time to prepare. We have devised six important factors to help you make the most of your appointment.
Make a list
Your practitioner will be an excellent resource for asking questions about the procedure, so make the most of this and prepare some questions you’d like to ask them beforehand. If you’re struggling to know what to ask, do a little outside research. Patient reviews and testimonials can be especially beneficial for helping you to understand what to expect. Take notes and bring them with you to your appointment – this way you won’t forget to ask anything when meeting with your practitioner.
We recommend that patients start by asking their practitioner about their credentials and experience. It may also be helpful to request to see before-and-after pictures of their previous patients so you can gain a better understanding of the type of results that can be achieved.
Once you’ve found a practitioner who you feel safe and comfortable with, don’t rush to the next stage. Take some time to think about what was discussed during your consultation before you return for the actual procedure.
Set your expectations and have a clear goal
Before going into your consultation, be sure that your desired outcome is clear in your mind. Consider finding a photo of yourself where you love the way you look and taking it along with you. This gives yourself and your practitioner a realistic point of reference and will also help them better understand how to enhance your natural features.
Even if you’re attending because of a couple of pesky wrinkles that are bothering you, be open to suggestions. Medical practitioners see your face in a three-dimensional way which is entirely different from how you see it. Be open and willing to listen to recommendations, even if they’re not what you had initially thought of.
Who’s behind the needle?
With so many people offering injectable treatments these days, and with the industry completely unregulated, it’s extremely important to enquire about credentials. Not everybody offering Dermal Fillers has a medical background so don’t assume that just because someone is offering aesthetic treatments, they have undergone suitable training. Be sure to ask how long they’ve been performing aesthetic injections and how they were trained. You may also like to check whether they are registered with a regulatory body such as the Care Quality Commission or Save Face.
Know what to do before and after the treatment
While injectables are minimally invasive, there are a few things to bear in mind pre- and post-treatment. Bruising and swelling are common side effects of Dermal Fillers, especially in sensitive areas such as the lips, so schedule appointments at least 72 hours before any significant event.
Avoid taking aspirin and fish-oil supplements at least two weeks before your filler appointment as they are both blood thinners and may increase the likelihood of bruising and swelling.
It’s also worth noting that you should avoid seeing your dentist for a check-up for 4 weeks after having filler. When your teeth are professionally cleaned, bacteria is released into the bloodstream. Since dermal fillers are considered a foreign substance in the body, excess bacteria can increase the risk of infection.
Make sure you bring this topic up with your practitioner during your consultation to ensure that you understand exactly what you should and shouldn’t do before going ahead with the treatment.
Understand how long the will the results last
This will depend on a variety of factors including the product used, how much was injected, and which part of the face was treated. Generally, hyaluronic acid fillers last anywhere from six to eighteen months. If you like the results, be prepared to have further treatment to maintain the results.
The beauty of hyaluronic acid fillers is that they are reversible. If you don’t like the results, a product can be injected to dissolve the filler within 24 hours.
Get to know the product
There are a wide variety of products available when it comes to fillers. Most fillers contain Hyaluronic acid, a sugar that’s naturally occurring in the body and can hold 1,000 times its weight in water. They include Juvederm, Restylane and Galderma.
Despite the fact these are all made from the same basic ingredient, there is a difference in how the hyaluronic acid particles link together, meaning the results will vary slightly depending on the product used.
Speak to your injector about which product they will be using and why it’s been chosen over another option.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.
