Doing Your Research: Understanding How Qualified Your Injector is
We all have to make decisions everyday. What to have for supper, whether to have dessert, how long to lie in, what Netflix show to watch. Some of them are easy, some of them are hard, but the good thing is, none of them are particularly important.
That is to say, unless you decide on a five course meal at Nobu – and so much sushi you need to immediately call the credit card company – none of them are going to impact your life.
And this is a good thing, because making decisions is difficult, and a lot of the time, we like to pass them on to somebody else. But if you’ve recently decided to get fillers, you’re about to face a decision that cannot be underestimated: choosing the right injector.
The Risks of Unqualified Injectors
So why is this a ‘big decision’? Well, in the US alone, the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery estimates that more than 1 million people get dermal fillers every year, and that has led to hundreds of injectors popping up out of nowhere to take advantage. But while the results of injections are often successful, that doesn’t mean the process is entirely without risk.
The risk, in this instance, is decided solely by the qualifications of the injectors themselves. Injecting substances – especially lip fillers, cheek fillers, and temple fillers – requires an in-depth understanding of facial anatomy. This is only attained through training, qualifications, and professionalism – something which is not guaranteed when you’re booking an appointment with an injector you haven’t researched.
As well as this, unqualified injectors might be using substandard products. Here at Post Love, we and our customers know that bruising and swelling can be common side effects, which is why we offer the most potent, plant-based products to alleviate symptoms.
But if your injector uses substandard tools, the effects could go beyond a typical recovery process – these could be tools that cause severe allergic reactions, infections, or even nerve damage. We’re sorry to bring the mood down, but it’s true.
Researching Your Injector
This is why it’s so important to find a qualified injector, and this starts knuckling down to a bit of detective work! Make sure you look for certifications, and verify that the injector has had specific training in cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers – including courses, certifications, and memberships like ASPS or AAD.
The reputation of an injector can also be visualized through their online reputation. If you’re going with an injector with years of experience – something that is obviously recommended – they’re likely to have a number of reliable online reviews to back this up. Platforms to look at in this case include Google, Yelp, and RealSelf.
Apart from these platforms, it’s similarly important to take a closer look at the company’s website. Does it look professional? Does it clearly show their qualifications? Make sure there is a testimonial page, and read as many of those testimonials as possible – but be aware that these are selectively positive, which is why reviews outside of the account are just as important.
The Red Flags to Look Out for
When it comes to red flags, one of the main ones to look out for is pricing. If you were going to buy a Rolex watch for $100 compared to the average of $4,200, you’d know that it’s probably not an authentic Rolex watch – either that, or something’s very wrong with it. The same caution should be exercised for injectors. If the pricing of a procedure is lower than you expected, it’s important to find out why – understand the cost of the procedure and what it includes, and ask about any additional fees, such as consultation fees or follow-up visit charges.
Another way to tell that an injector may not be qualified is how they communicate with you. Reputable and professional injectors will never practice high-pressure selling techniques, and they’ll never push you towards additional treatments. On the contrary, qualified injectors will be fully transparent on pricing, their qualifications, their experience, and all the details of the procedure.
It’s true, however, that a solid idea of a company’s transparency can be difficult to attain online. With this in mind, it’s important to schedule a consultation where you can visit the clinic, discuss your goals and expectations, and assess the injector face-to-face.
During this visit, you should be getting personalized advice and recommendations based on your facial anatomy and aesthetic goals – there’s no one-size-fits-all approach with qualified injectors! Some questions to ask in this case include:
If you’re not finding enough information online, you can make sure the injector is a licensed medical professional by asking them upfront during your consultation. Any qualified injector will be happy to share this information with you, and no professional will hide the secrets of professional aesthetic practice.
Ask about the specific training programs the injector has completed, including any specialized courses or certifications in cosmetic procedures. Again, this information should be readily available online, but there’s no harm in retrieving the information directly from the injector.
The aftercare process is just as important as the procedure itself, and a qualified injector will understand this. Ask what their process is, what they recommend for your individual case, and work out whether there are any hidden additional fees.
Hopefully, this will never be an issue, but if you want to be absolutely sure of an injector’s qualifications, asking about their insurance plans – and discerning how protected you are against any legal or medical issues that may arise – can be particularly useful.
One last good question to ask is to see their portfolio, coupled with the testimonials. This is a simple and efficient way to see their work for yourself, and align it with your own aesthetic wishes. Is it what you expected? Is it clearly evocative of their skills and quality?
While getting this information, you can also form a more solid idea of the clinic’s cleanliness and whether it adheres to safety standards, and you can confirm they are using FDA-approved products by checking the brands of fillers they use.
Choosing the right injector is an essential step in your aesthetic journey, and it’s a decision that shouldn’t be rushed. At Post Love, we’re all about supporting you every step of the way – from selecting a qualified injector to helping you recover after your treatment. Our products, like FADED by Post Love, are designed to soothe and speed up your healing process, so you can feel confident and comfortable in your results.
So, once you’ve done your homework and found that skilled injector, let Post Love handle the rest. We’re here to make sure you have the best post-treatment experience possible, so you can enjoy your new look without the hassle of extended downtime.