How to find the right injector for you!
It can be really confusing trying to find the right injector.
I mean you are trusting them with your face after all. It is important to have a trusting, open relationship with your injector where you feel comfortable communicating your budget, goals, boundaries, etc. Here is what I have found over the years that people have shared with me on how they found the injector they love!
I hope this is helpful in your search, wherever you are!
License information (MOST IMPORTANT)
There are a lot of people out there that do not have the accreditation or license to be injecting. I have seen nail salons promoting injections! YIKES!
In the US, depending on your state, nurses (RN), physician assistants (PA), nurse practitioners (NP), and medical doctors (MD/DO) can inject.
Any injection including but not limited to neuromodulators (Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, etc), fillers, Sculptra, etc is a prescribed medication that must be administered by a provider listed above.
You may look up any MD and PA through their state medical board (https://portal.ncmedboard.org/verification/search.aspx) and any RN or NP through their state nursing board (https://www.ncbon.com/licensure-listing-verify-a-license). Here are the links for North Carolina! If you are not in North Carolina, search “NP license lookup California” or whatever state you are in, and it will direct you to the links.
Please take the time to do this step! It is a great first step!
Who are your friends seeing?
I don't know why in 2022 it's still taboo to talk about getting Botox and fillers or any aesthetic procedure but if your friend's skin looks good or they are aging really well, ask them!
One, it is a huge compliment to them that you think they look good and two, it's a huge compliment to their injector or aesthetician who is keeping them looking that way!
If your friends trust them, it's a good indication that you are able to as well. And your friends will always be honest with you, they have nothing to lose by saying they don't like them and are looking for someone else. Then you have a pal to join in your search! It's a win-win!
Questions to ask your injector
When was the last time you attended a training or conference?
Do you have a protocol for various adverse events?
Who is your supervising physician (if your provider is a PA, NP, or RN)?
What are the risks of this procedure?
How do I get a hold of the office or a provider after hours?
How much experience do you have with the procedure?
How long have you been in the field?
Ask to see the before and afters of the procedure they have done.
Are they taking enough time with you?
If you are feeling rushed, that's a red flag.
They are a provider, they do to stay on schedule but at the end of the day, the provider is here to educate you and take time to listen to your questions and concerns. A 15-minute consult will not be sufficient.
Is the provider educating you?
The provider should explain the “why” in what they are doing, educate you on the aging process and give you a detailed comprehensive plan for long-term progress that aligns with your goals.
They need to be asking for a detailed medical history and educate you about the adverse events or risk factors of each procedure.
They also need to educate you about realistic expectations and what the limitations of the procedure are. I can tell you from experience, Botox/fillers/Sculptra, etc are not magic wands. Most likely you will not reach your goals in one treatment and your provider should be educating about that process.
Do they look overfilled or unnatural themselves?
It is very simple. If you don't want to look like your injector, don't trust them with your face.
Don't trust all the followers on IG
I have seen some of the best injectors have 100 followers and some injectors with not-so-great results with 100K followers. Really take the time to pay attention to the above information to make your decision and not just on the amount of followers!
I hope this was helpful! If you have anything to add please feel free to add your input on my Instagram post! I would love to hear your feedback and anything you found helpful in finding your injector!