Self-care is one of the concepts today being championed by modern society. It is manifested in various advertisements, films, arts, music and etc. This may mean a lot of things to different sets of people coming from different places and backgrounds. However, it is an undeniable fact that one of the things that this concept produced is the increase in the market value of cosmetics. Most people, if not all, feel good if they have improved their physical attributes because of the science brought by cosmetics.

Hence, with this trend in beauty today, it is vital that you choose only the clinicians and medical professionals who know what is best for you. In order to help you choose, here is a guide on how to choose a trustworthy cosmetic clinic:

1.   Ask family, friends, and acquaintances to give you a recommendation


If you consider the opinions and recommendations of the people close to you, it will be easier to find a trustworthy clinic. You can ask them questions if they have already done a treatment in a particular cosmetic clinic. Reaching out to friends and family can help not only in locating a good cosmetic clinic but also can give you an idea on the treatment process you are planning to undergo. Friends and acquaintances that are working in specific fields such as medicine and beauty fashion can also help and assists in locating or contacting people who are working in cosmetic clinics.

2.   Locate and search cosmetic clinics around your area


One of the fastest ways of locating a cosmetic clinic around your area is searching from the internet. You can also use social media such as Facebook and Instagram to locate such clinics through visiting their media walls. With that, you can also learn more about their information other than their locations such as the treatment they offer and the likes. You can also ask for a local directory to search for the local numbers of cosmetic clinics around your area. With these ways, you can locate the nearest clinic and you can visit as soon as possible for consultation if you would like.

3.   Read more from the internet of your prospect cosmetic clinics


You can visit social media pages of your prospect cosmetic clinics and learn more about their services and read reviews about them. However, you must read them with a little dose of skepticism because these pages may be a great resource for information but they can also be a source of misinformation. Not all reviews are honest and may be commented by people to forward personal agenda instead of sharing knowledge and personal experience to the general public. You must also consider treatment evidence such as photos because most, if not all, pictures posted in their social media only show the best results or not all are displayed with all honesty such as there is difference due to lighting and shadows manipulating the after photos to have an improved appearance.

You can read written blogs or watch videos of people who have an experience regarding a specific treatment from your prospect clinic. It is important that you do not watch paid videos or read advertised blogs so that you can get an honest review so that you get the lesson from their experience from the cosmetic clinic.

4.   Check qualifications of Medical Professionals from your prospect cosmetic clinic


If you have now watered down your choices to a countable number, before coming face-to-face with them, you have to make sure that you have the cosmetic clinic you are about to go to for consultation is completely licensed and qualified to perform your desired procedure. Cosmetic clinics have a wide array of services to offer. They usually have different practitioners who handle different procedures. Non-invasive procedures such as injectables, laser treatments, chemical peels, or dermabrasion can be performed by Non-Medical Doctors such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, or even just an aesthetician. These procedures even if non-invasive still have side effects and it is best to be under the care of someone who is a physician who can recognize these side effects and treat them if ever they arise. Hence, it is important to know if your chosen candidates are well trained in cosmetic treatment. It is vital to ensure that the cosmetic clinics have a standardized or comprehensive training that is duly recognized by a board of evaluators provided to their treatment providers.

With today’s market in cosmetics, competition in the field is increasing. Hence, you must not be easily deceived by advertisements brought by these clinics. You must always search and read about their qualifications before coming into the clinic for consultation.

5.   Come to the consultation and ask question


It is important to come prepared with a list of questions to ask your cosmetic practitioner while you are face-to-face. This is important because this establishes the patient-practitioner relationship and builds proper communication between both parties. This is the part where you get to verbalize your goals and express your wishes so that practitioners can get a feel for whether they understand you and can deliver the results you want. In this way, both of you can make sure that you are on the same page. This is also a good opportunity to learn more about the procedure that you are planning to take and whether the practitioner has experience in doing such a procedure. Clarifying costs can also be done during consultations so that you can make sure that all fees are discussed and there are no hidden charges.

To help you, these are some of the pertinent questions you can raise during consultation:

  • Does the practice offer a comprehensive range of treatments to provide most suitable and effective treatment for me?
  • How long has the practitioner been carrying out these procedures?
  • How much should I pay for the procedure? Are there any hidden charges?
  • What are the possible side effects of the treatment?
  • What are the protocols for safety of the clinic and the procedure itself?
  • What are the Qualifications of the practitioner?
  • What is the aftercare procedure?
  • What is the treatment Philosophy of the Practitioner?
  • What results can I expect?
  • Which products will be used?
  • Would I be able to see the before and after procedures carried out by the resident practitioner?
6.   Observe for the behavior of staff and practitioners


You want to get your treatment in a place where you are comfortable and at ease. You should not feel tense or anxious regarding the place or the personality of the staff of the cosmetic clinic. So as you get your consultation, observe the attitudes and behavior of the staff and the practitioner. Politeness is one of the most important factors that you need to observe in such clinics. Bedside manner of the physician or the practitioner is also a vital aspect to have an effective, safe, and comfortable treatment.

6.   Take your time


If you feel uncomfortable at any point during the consultation or just feel not right as you go into the clinic or perhaps even doing the procedure offered to you, then take your time to think about it. Do not rush any procedure. You have the right to think and refuse anything that is offered to you. Take note that it takes a right kind of connection with your practitioner to feel comfortable around doing any invasive or non-invasive cosmetic procedure. You need to listen to your guts and take time to assess clinics who would really listen and respect your specific aesthetic goals. Do not be pressured on finding a cosmetic clinic right away, take your time and find the right one according to your own pace.

Indeed, looking for a trustworthy cosmetic clinic is a tedious and time consuming process. It takes a lot of effort in order to find the right one for you. However, this is just one of those things you put hard work into so that you can attain your aesthetic goals without compromising your standards.

If you are still looking for that perfect cosmetic clinic, this guide might just be of help to you. Just follow them and you will surely land on the good hands of a trustworthy cosmetic clinic.

References:
  1. American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Choosing A Cosmetic Surgeon. Retrieved from:
    https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/patient-resources/choosing-a-cosmetic-surgeon/. Retrieved on 19 May 2020.
  2. Sleightholm, R. 2017. Your Guide to Choosing The Right Cosmetic Clinic for Dermal Injections. Retrieved from:
    https://www.bramptoncosmetic.com/blog/guide-to-choosing-the-right-cosmetic-clinic-dermal-injections/. Retrieved on 19 May 2020.
  3. Tanqueray, John. Mulberry House. 2016. Guide To Choosing Your Treatment Provider. Retrieved from:
    https://www.mulberryhouseclinic.co.uk/about-us/guide-to-choosing-your-treatment-provider/. Retrieved on 19 May 2020.
  4. Weymouth Street Hospital. 2019. Guide To Choosing A Cosmetic Surgeon. Retrieved from:
    https://www.weymouthstreethospital.com/blog-post/guide-to-choosing-a-cosmetic-surgeon/. Retrieved 19 May 2020.