Cosmetic injections: a useful guide for nervous first-timers
So, you’ve been looking in the mirror and considering cosmetic injections - those crow’s feet, frown lines and bunny lines just aren’t disappearing. But you’re nervous. You want a natural, fresh look - not an overfilled pout, a frozen forehead or chipmunk cheeks. Are dermal fillers and other non-surgical cosmetic procedures right for you?
It’s said it takes up to five years from someone first researching cosmetic procedures to actually going ahead with them. Five further years lost to time, ageing and, you guessed it, wrinkles. In my experience, that delay is down to a simple misconception that anti-wrinkle injections make you look unnatural.
Of course, there is an extreme end of the market, covered by the media, where people and practitioners go for huge lips and overfilled cheeks. But the majority of the cosmetic injection industry is far more professional, ethical and clinical.
How do you get over those first-time nerves and find a practitioner skilled at natural-looking, non-surgical facial aesthetics?
1. Do your research
The more you understand about non-surgical cosmetic procedures, the more confident you’ll feel about what to look for in a practitioner, what the different procedures involve and what the results will be.
You can follow my skincare and anti-ageing blog for professional advice and guidance on anti-wrinkle injections and treatments such as dermal fillers, platelet-rich plasma and all other non-surgical procedures. Or, you can do a quick Google search to access a wide variety of information.
2. Find a reputable practitioner
A few under-trained and over-zealous practitioners have given the anti-wrinkle injection industry a bad name - let’s be honest, you’re worried about looking like a duck.
Cosmetic procedure training ranges from a one-day course with a competency certificate to years of training in anatomy, physiology, medical emergencies, prescriptions and consultations.
Consider whether you would feel more comfortable with a medical professional, and don’t be afraid to ask their experience in the industry and how many injections they have performed. After all, you don’t to be their guinea pig!
Experienced practitioners have the knowledge, experience and ethics to make you look naturally and discretely younger, avoiding any hint of “work”. In particular, a they will:
Give you an honest opinion on whether you require treatment;
Fully understand the different products, ingredients and results;
Know the correct amount of product to use to achieve your desired look;
Use high-quality products that have been extensively tested; and
Showcase their before and after pictures to ease your concerns.
For me, I waited until I had ten year’s experience as a doctor and four year’s specialist aesthetics experience before I opened Skinphinity.
3. Have an initial consultation
A reputable practitioner should provide you with a free initial consultation for you to learn more about them and them to learn more about you.
At my cosmetic injection clinic in Cheshire, I sit down with you to conduct a thorough assessment - taking into account your medical history, current medication and problem areas. My key aim is to make you feel at ease, overcome your nerves and give you an honest opinion on the treatments that can help. This could mean I dissuade you from a particular procedure because I don’t think it will benefit you physically or psychologically - even if that means you undergo no treatments at all.
I then talk you through the procedures, answer questions you have and, if you’re happy, agree to a treatment plan.
Over the coming weeks, I’m delving into more details about what skills to look for in a practitioner, what to expect from different anti-wrinkle treatments and the frequently asked questions about non-surgical facial aesthetics.
If you have questions in the meantime, please get in touch via the form below or social media.
Author : Dr Adam Cheong
Medical Director, Skinphinity
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About Skinphinity
Skinphinity is a cosmetic practice in Tarporley, run by the cosmetic GP, Dr Adam Cheong. Dr Adam is a qualified GP and specialist in non-surgical facial aesthetics. He is passionate about natural-looking enhancements and works hard to give the industry a good name, built on ethical, qualified and honest practices.
Skinphinity provides a range of non-surgical aesthetic treatments for patients in Tarporley, Chester, Northwich, Hartford, Hale, Manchester and across Cheshire.
