How to Find The Right Qualified Medical Practitioner for your Fillers or Botox Procedures?
Finding a medical practitioner has never been easier. For those undergoing non-invasive aesthetic treatment such as fillers or Botox for the first time, here are some tips to follow:
1) Online search:
Do a simple online search to find a qualified medical practitioner and ensure the practitioner you found conducts the procedure you are looking for. They should outline the treatments they provide, clearly and with an explanation. Check the treatment price list to compare with other practitioners within your budget.
2) Pricing:
When it comes to pricing, this does not always correspond to the quality of the treatment, products used and the skill set of the provider and their background training. But too cheap should also raise a flag or two. You should always ask who manufactures the products being administered. Examples of fillers include; Restylene, Juvederm and Radiesse and examples of Botulinum toxin type A, would be; Botox, Azzalure and Bocouture.
If a treatment is too cheap, compared across a number of practitioners, start to wonder why. Black market products have helped drive prices down at the lowest end of the market, but unlicensed sellers on the internet, may themselves not know what is in the products they provide and whether or not those compounds are safe.
According to Save Face, a national register of Accredited practitioners who provide non-surgical cosmetic treatments: In 2018, 84% of patients who reported complaints, had no idea what products were used and how they were sourced. Many consumers would rather pay less for their non-surgical treatment, taking little heed of their safety. Every year thousands of patients suffer at the hands of untrained practitioners. Make sure you are not one of them.
3) Search a register:
In 2018 more than 83% of complaints were for treatments administered by beauticians, hairdressers and other non-healthcare professionals. It is important your practitioner is registered with a governing body and is a qualified medical practitioner. NHS states that “Botulinum toxin can only be prescribed in a face-to-face meeting by a qualified medical practitioner, such as a doctor, dentist, pharmacist prescriber or nurse prescriber. The person prescribing botulinum toxin is responsible for making sure it’s given safely.” The General Medical Council (GMC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) are two government-affiliated bodies that provide you with information regarding a doctor or a nurse’s registration status. They are the highest governing body for any practitioner in the UK. Save face’s register is accredited by Professional Standards Authority and is recognised by the Government, The Department of Health, NHS England and The Care Quality Commission.
Vestra Clinica’s practitioner, Dr. Abdal Albdair, is registered as a qualified medical practitioner.
4) Ask Questions:
As mentioned earlier, asking questions is going to help you understand who to have your treatment with. Having decided on your medical practitioner, you should be given a consultation. Ask as many questions as you need to during your consultation, in order to understand the treatment, what impact it will have on you and the aesthetic outcome you should expect.
If you are not offered a consultation, which is often paid for, you should walk away. Consultations are important and will help you and the practitioner. 39% of complaints in 2018 did not have a consultation at all. During your consultation, make sure you don’t feel that the practitioner is forcing a treatment on to you or rushing you to decide on a treatment. If at any point you feel rushed to make a decision, the practitioner does not have your best interest at heart.
The General Medical Council (GMC) recommends all cosmetic practitioners offer time for their patients to think on whether the treatments sought are suitable for them.
5) Does your provider offer you follow-ups?
Cosmetic procedures are not without their side effects. Although the most serious of these side effects are rare, a cautious provider will ensure they follow up with you after the treatment to ensure you are not affected. There are many cases where the practitioner has simply ‘disappeared’ and hundreds of reported cases where a practitioner had ignored their patients’ complaints and not taken responsibility when their patients developed side effects. Dermal fillers are a good example with 76% of all complaints in 2018 relating to lip fillers being uneven, having infections, having unsightly lumps and nodules, unusual swelling and bruising, vascular occlusion (blood clots) or a compromise of healthy tissue. Typically, if you choose a medically trained practitioner such as a doctor or nurse, they will follow up with you, two or three weeks following a procedure. If any post-procedure complication/undesired result is present, they will be able to address those for you.
6) Are you receiving your treatment in a clinical setting?
If not, walk away… 11% of ALL complaints received regarding Botulinum toxin (Botox) treatments, were regarding treatment administered at a party. Dr. Abdal Albdair, through Vestra Clinica Ltd, supports better regulation within the industry with higher standards for practitioners along with better patient care.
