It is a sad fact that in the cosmetic industry, anyone, regardless of experience or qualifications, can administer non-surgical cosmetic treatments. Which means that in the UK, every year thousands of people suffer at the hands of untrained practitioners. Anyone, regardless of their knowledge, ability, qualifications or experience, can prepare to administer treatment to the paying client, and it is perfectly legal. Cosmetic treatments administered by untrained individuals can cause injuries ranging from burns, infections, scars, and allergic reactions.
Botox, the injectable treatment for fine lines and wrinkles, has quickly grown to become one of the most popular and widely used non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Choosing where to go and who to go to for the first time is difficult, but you can check a few things to make sure you choose the right clinic for you, making sure you are entrusting your health and appearance to the right person.
Things to think about before deciding on Botox:
• Injecting Botox into the facial muscles is a specialized procedure and should only be administered by a qualified and trained physician. Preferably a doctor with experience in cosmetic treatments, and who has specialized, has training in facial anatomy and has well-developed ocular aesthetics.
• Research the practitioner. For UK doctors, GMC has an online registration verification service that allows you to check the GMC status of a doctor online.
• Some established locations within medical centers, dental surgeries, and cosmetic clinics provide Botox and other beauty treatments. Venues such as beauty salons, hair salons, and department stores can offer Botox treatments and most of these places are well equipped with proper standards, but unfortunately there are some that are not ideal places to perform injectable treatments. Botox parties at home are not suitable places to receive treatment.
• Almost all accredited clinics will offer a free consultation to clients. This is ideal for consulting on certain procedures and finding out what your chosen treatments entail before committing. It allows you to review the facilities and staff to make sure you are comfortable and it is also the time to ask the doctor any questions you may have. If the doctor seems to be too busy, distracted, rude, or too aggressive, then put him aside.
• Most people tolerate injections very well, but some are more sensitive to needles than others. If you don’t tolerate pain well, ask about pain relief. Topical anesthetic creams or gels are usually applied to numb the area before any injection. Botox needles are very thin and the injections are not very deep, so any discomfort during the procedure is usually minimal.
• The practitioner / physician must offer a 2-week follow-up review.
• Keep in mind that when you wait for your results, patience is a must. After injections, there is always slight swelling and bruising, depending on the experience and skill of your doctor. Significant results will show after 3-7 days when everything has settled down. Less is more, so always keep in mind that over-treating the face can make the face expressionless and mask-like.