5 Things to Consider Before Cosmetic Medical Treatments

By Dennis Faludi, M. D.

If you are interested in non-surgical cosmetic medical treatments, you will find many options available in a wide variety of settings. On one hand, this means that you have the luxury of choosing exactly the settings and treatments that feel right to you, but on the other hand, the numerous choices can be overwhelming, especially since medical procedures are not always easy to understand.

Here are five important considerations to guide you in your search for aesthetic medical treatments that you can trust. The information here will augment and help you filter what you learn from websites, online reviews, and reports from friends and colleagues.

Your Clinician

Minimally invasive cosmetic treatments are performed by individuals with a wide range of professional backgrounds. You should have the opportunity to meet your clinician and learn about his/her qualifications before you commit to any treatment. Different procedures require different levels of expertise and you will evaluate whether this person has training that is commensurate with the treatment you are considering. A number of providers may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on specialty training and how frequently they perform your treatment. A cosmetic medical treatment remains a medical procedure with the accompanying risks, and you should choose your clinician with care.

Initial Consultation

It is important to have a consultation before any elective medical treatment, preferably with the person who will be performing your procedure. The consultation for an aesthetic treatment does not have to be lengthy, but it should not feel rushed. There should be an appropriate review of your medical history, a relevant physical evaluation with a subsequent discussion of goals, and an understanding of the expected results of the procedure. This visit is also the time to ask about cost, side effects, downtime, and whom you should contact if you have any post-treatment issues or concerns, especially after hours. By the end of this visit you should know enough to feel comfortable with the proposed plan of treatment and your clinician. Finally, you should not be pressured to make a treatment decision on the day of your consultation if you want to do additional research before making that commitment.

Your Treatment

It is appropriate for you to ask questions about the treatments recommended by your clinician, and it is in your best interest to understand why specific procedures/products have been chosen for you, in addition to possible alternative options. You should be informed about possible adverse effects, post-treatment downtime, and how long you can expect your results to last. Before undergoing any procedure, you should be given an informed consent document and review it with your clinician.

Comfort During Treatment: Analgesia

You should be as comfortable and relaxed as possible during your treatment, and there are a number of analgesic options to relieve the discomfort that sometimes accompany a cosmetic procedure. In our practice, we offer a variety of analgesic alternatives including topical and injectable anesthetics, nitrous oxide gas, and when appropriate, additional medications. Your clinician should discuss analgesic options for any recommended treatment.

Cost

Cosmetic medical procedures are generally not covered by insurance, and pricing is based on fair market value. Before committing to a treatment with a specific practice, you should understand exactly how much you will be charged, including any ancillary costs. If your quoted cost is significantly high or low relative to what is customary in your area, we recommend that you proceed with caution.

When considering an aesthetic medical treatment, you are most likely interested in rejuvenating your appearance in a way that is subtle and natural looking, and you hope to find a clinician you can trust; these goals are worth a careful evaluation of the options that are available to you. When cosmetic medical procedures are done with skill and care, patients enjoy both their treatment experience and their results.

For more information, visit aestheticmedctr.com.