Expert Tips for Finding Your Perfect Injector
What to Look For and What to Avoid in Scottsdale's Aesthetics Scene
By: Catherine Marben, RN
So you’ve just moved to town and are excited to find your next Aesthetic Professional. Or maybe you’ve finally decided to schedule a consultation to explore options to look and feel more like your true self.
How on earth do you sort through the thousands of med spas and injectors coming up in your search? I’m Catherine Marben, owner of Profile Aesthetics, and I am here to help you with some tips to easily say ‘YES’ to your new aesthetic practitioner, with confidence!
EDUCATION
It’s no secret that information on the Aesthetics industry is filled with inconsistencies. The requirements to become an injector vary drastically from state to state, with some states allowing for non-licensed personnel to become injectors.
In Arizona, your Aesthetic Professional must hold an active license as a Registered Nurse or above (Nurse Practitioner, MD, PA, etc). However, it is worth noting, for a practitioner to begin injecting clients with neuromodulators or dermal fillers, all that is required is a nominal, 2 day course.
Here’s the scoop!
There are some red flags that you can identify by doing a bit of research online.
Your top priority should be to identify the level of continued education. This means further education than that of the initial 2 day course, and trainings provided by vendors. Your potential injector should be investing in in-depth trainings from distinguished cosmetic providers found all over the world (or at least the USA). Although these courses and mentorships can be expensive, they are essential for becoming a skilled and safe injector. They provide critical knowledge of facial anatomy, product selection, and the techniques required to achieve natural-looking results.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Next, have a look at their social media. While many injectors are not so savvy using platforms such as Instagram or Facebook, it is an important platform for them to demonstrate their knowledge and showcase the results you could expect when you receive their services.
While it is possible to have a great injector with a poor social media presence, ideally offering a wide variety of before and after photos will help to identify that practitioner’s “aesthetic eye”. This, combined with consistent results, will help to make your decision a bit easier.
While you’re there, do a quick reverse image search to ensure their social media content is their own.
GOOGLE & YELP
The next step is to look at Google or Yelp reviews. One may think “they have hundreds of five-star reviews so they must be great!”…sure, but not always.
As with most things, there are ways to influence the system. If they have hundreds of reviews and five-stars overall, try sorting the results starting with the lowest stars first. Low-Star reviews often alert consumers to the illegal practice of paying for reviews by offering discounts on aesthetic services.
Another trend that could raise a red flag are reviews that seem to have very similar or generic statements and often tend to be short. Unfortunately, businesses are also able to pay to have negative feedback removed.
Finally, look to see that their reviews are consistent with the theme of their social media accounts (great B&A photos, reflection of knowledge, patient testimonials in their comments etc).
PROOF IS IN THE PRICING
Another helpful suggestion for you… if the price is low, it’s likely for a reason that is undisclosed to you. While the industry may look lucrative, the margins for injectables are quite small.
While staying within your budget is important, low prices could be a sign of hidden costs, fake products or diluting good products greater than the manufacturer’s guideline.
It’s true, just like a Louis Vuitton bag, foreign chemists are replicating boxes of fake products for 90% less than FDA-approved.
Whew! That’s a lot to think about! Now that we have discussed some things to look out for, let’s shift our attention to the positive qualities to look for in your next injector.
REFERRALS FROM FRIENDS & FAMILY
A personal referral from a friend or family member is an excellent way to begin your journey!
Look for someone whose work you admire and who has had a positive experience with their provider. While not every procedure is flawless, your injector should be open to discussing your concerns and ready to address any issues without becoming defensive or making you feel guilty.
AESTHETIC APPEAL
A reassuring characteristic of a great Aesthetic Provider – is the way they look.
¾ Do they seem to have a realistic eye regarding aesthetic treatments?
¾ Are they beginning to look ‘overdone’ themselves?
¾ Does their vision align with your end style and overall aesthetic goals?
There have been ongoing discussions concerning the extent of Body Dysmorphic Disorder exhibited by the injector and the relationship to their client outcomes. Be sure you like the way your injector presents themselves.
THE CHOICE IS MADE
Alright, you have chosen an injector you feel comfortable visiting – congratulations!
Scheduling a consultation first, allows you to experience the office space and staff, to gauge your comfort.
While you are with the provider, discuss your concerns thoroughly and allow your provider to repeat back to you what they are hearing. This is a crucial step in achieving the results that matter to you. Are you getting honest feedback, or do you feel like you’re being sold something? A low-pressure environment enables you to make informed decisions at your own pace.
Everything went well? That’s fantastic news! Get ready to boost your confidence with your new Aesthetic Provider.
BEGINNING YOUR JOURNEY
Remember, this is a relationship that takes time to build. It’s essential to communicate if your treatment doesn’t meet your expectations. Your injector will also need time to observe how your body responds to treatments and what your preferences are.
Follow-up appointments are normal and don’t necessarily mean something went wrong. Rest assured, you’re with a provider who will collaborate with you at your pace to achieve your goals!
About the Author:
Catherine Marben, RN
PROFILE Aesthetics
www.profileaesthetics.com
Catherine is known for delivering beautiful, natural looking results and specializes in reversing signs of aging, enhancing natural beauty, and corrective procedures. She has invested heavily into perfecting her skills in advanced medical injection techniques and has received extensive training from world renowned Aesthetic Providers. Catherine has worked as an RN in the medical field for over 17 years.
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