As minimally-invasive injectables such as BOTOX®, in addition to dermal facial fillers, such as Juvederm and Restalyn, continue increasing in popularity, more individuals are seeking cosmetic treatments and more businesses ― like aestheticians and medspas, are providing this service at reduced prices.
Sounds good, right? Not always.
When choosing a provider for your injectable treatments, you'll want to make your decision based on the same scrutiny and level of care as you would a surgical procedure. Non-surgical filler treatments are still medical procedures requiring specific knowledge, skill and training to ensure your treatment is safe and provides you with natural-looking results.
So, you'll want to choose a provider who has:
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The skill and precision of a surgeon
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A well-developed aesthetic eye
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Extensive knowledge of facial anatomy
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Significant experience providing filler injections
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A proven cosmetic medicine background
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Board certification
You can find these and other qualifications in an American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) board-certified physician, like Dr. Bradford S. Patt MD FACS at the Houston Center for Facial Plastic Surgery.
Plastic Surgeon vs a Non-Physician Provider
Because of its widespread popularity, you may get the impression injectables like BOTOX aren't a big deal and any provider will do. This is not the case. While treatments might only take 15 to 20 minutes of your time, they're still medical procedures requiring a provider with the right credentials and qualifications.
The Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (APS) journal published a study underscoring the importance of selecting an MD for your injectables.
The APS study involved surveying over 25,000 plastic surgeons with the help of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Among the surveyed plastic surgeons, consensus stayed the same across the U.S. — the more training the provider has, the more qualified they are to provide these treatments.
Ninety-six percent of the surveyed plastic surgeons believe dermatologists and plastic surgeons are the most qualified and trustworthy providers of dermal fillers and BOTOX.
BOTOX Injections Risks
There's not much room for error with BOTOX. You have a higher risk of experiencing negative side effects if an inexperienced doctor administers your injections or if the injections aren't prepared based on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards. BOTOX injection risks include:
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Frozen-looking face. Too much of it can lead to "frozen face."
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Lackluster results. Too little can lead to disappointing or barely improved results.
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Facial asymmetry and drooping eyelids. And when injected too close to the surface, too deeply or in the wrong spot, there's the risk of facial asymmetry, drooping eyelids and other problems.
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Infection. Poorly administered injections can result in an infection of the injection area.
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Looking unnatural or overdone. At a certain age, BOTOX may no longer be appropriate. A plastic surgeon is the only one who can let you know when that is. If you continue to get the injections when they're no longer appropriate, it can result in you looking unnatural and overdone. So, it's essential you find a reputable plastic surgeon you can establish a good relationship with early on who can work with you throughout the different stages of your life.
Injectable treatments require a specific skillset than other injection types, like a flu vaccine, for instance. Since BOTOX works by blocking specific muscle fibers' nerve impulses, the provider needs to know:
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The exact facial muscle (out of the 43) to inject.
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The exact depth and point in the muscle they'll inject the needle.
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The exact amount they need to inject for great results.
Dermal Fillers Risks
Even though they're popular, dermal filler injections can come with risks, facial damage and other complications despite them being non-surgical solutions. This is particularly true if you select an inexperienced injecting provider or if they administer the treatment in a less-than-sterile environment.
When injections are administered by a provider or even a surgeon who lacks the experience and extensive training in their use:
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You can end up looking "odd", losing your facial balance if the provider isn't completely attuned to your individual facial anatomy.
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You may wind up with greater levels of asymmetry if a less experienced provider administers the injections.
If the provider doesn't use the right type of injectables:
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Permanent fillers may lead to long-term facial problems.
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There are significant differences in quality in brands.
If the provider uses the wrong filler type in an unsuitable facial area:
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You could end up with an "over-done", unnatural appearance.
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You can end up looking older or worse.
If the provider is too fast or overly aggressive in their cosmetic injection approach:
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You can end up appearing over-volumized (puffy cheeks and lips) rather than looking enhanced.
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You could bruise extensively or suffer with other complications.
Takeaway in Choosing Your BOTOX and Dermal Filler Provider
You should be extremely careful in who you choose for your BOTOX or filler treatment. They should be highly experienced and well informed about maximizing the treatment's benefits while reducing any dermal fillers risks.
Many nurse practitioners (NPs), nurses (RNs) or physician assistants (PAs) offering injectable treatments get their training on injectables through a weekend course. While these providers can still receive some basic insights into the safety of patients through these weekend crash courses, they don't provide the injectors with enough knowledge of a surgeon's precision or facial anatomy.
These injectors, after a weekend course, also lack the skilled eye of a board-certified facial plastic surgeon for evaluating the unique needs of a patient. It also means that if you choose one of these providers, you increase your BOTOX injection or dermal filler risks discussed above.
Optimally, you will want to choose a provider who is a board-certified plastic surgeon, cosmetic dermatologist or facial plastic surgeon and has extensive training of a minimum of three to five years training in a certified plastic surgery setting. These are the only medical providers specifically trained for injectables and have years of training and experience to deliver the best outcomes.
When choosing a provider, there are some "dos and don'ts to follow.
Some red flags to look out for are:
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Providers who won't tell you the injection's substance.
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Providers who won't provide you with a full assessment of the benefits and risks of injections.
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Providers who try to pressure you into buying a treatment.
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Providers who won't tell you the exact number of cc's/units being injected into each area (this could indicate they're watering the injections down.
Here's what you should do when choosing an ABFPRS board-certified physician:
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Choose a provider with training and expertise in aesthetic injectables, medicine and surgery.
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Choose a provider who provides a full spectrum of services.
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Avoid choosing a provider based on price.
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Ask for before-and-after pictures.
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Choose transparency.
The bottom line is: Always do your research on any potential BOTOX or filler provider. Review their degrees, board certifications, training and experience and learn all you can about the benefits and risks associated with the treatment.
Ultimately, the best way to be certain you'll receive the safest and most beautiful, natural outcome is by getting your BOTOX and dermal filler injections from a board certified facial plastic surgeon.
Schedule Your BOTOX or Filler Procedure with Board Certified Facial and Plastic Surgeon Dr. Patt in Houston, Texas
Dr. Bradford S. Patt is a MD, FACS American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) board certified facial plastic surgeon. This means that he has met the strict surgeon's qualifications against specific rigorous standards set forth by the ABFPRS. Established in 1986, the ABFPRS is committed to improving the public's quality of facial plastic surgery by measuring each candidate.
Contact Dr. Patt's office at the Houston Center for Facial Plastic Surgery to set up your BOTOX or Filler procedure today. Call (281) 649-7170 or schedule your appointment online.
