Patient Education on Who Performs Procedures

INJECTABLES - WHO DOES IT
Injectable pharmaceutical therapies are readily available but there are many unqualified providers offering treatment. Often, these unqualified providers entice consumers with deep discounts, and in some cases, treatment is provided with an unknown or imported substance that is not FDA approved. It's so important that you choose an appropriately trained, board-certified practitioner, namely an anti-aging physician, plastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon or a dermatologist. Accept treatment only with a brand-name substance that is approved for use in the United States by the FDA. Approval may be specific to your planned treatment or the substance is openly accepted for off-label use.

Anatomies differ and determining the best injectable or combination of injectables and exactly where to place them should not be left to chance—a bad shot to the lips and you could be looking ducky rather than delicious. And even though fillers and BOTOX® are not permanent, you'll need to learn to live with your results until the injectable wears off.

You should never be injected with a filler or denervating agent like BOTOX® without consulting with the doctor first. Let no one other than a doctor or registered nurse do the injecting. Among the qualifications to look for: Board-certified anti-aging phsicians, plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, dermatologists and ophthalmic plastic surgeons with training specific to injectable fillers and BOTOX®, including an accredited
BOTOX® Cosmetic training course sponsored by Allergan, Inc., the maker of BOTOX®.

You also need to be aware of the setting in which the procedure is performed. Spas that have no physician onsite are not appropriate places for treatment of this kind. Injectables should only be administered in a medically appropriate environment.

LASERS - WHO DOES IT
Board-certified anti-aging phycians, dermatologists, plastic surgeons and facial plastic surgeons appropriately perform laser treatments of the face. Ablative lasers are generally performed on an outpatient basis and require an accredited surgical setting, administration of anesthesia by a licensed medical professional and may be used in conjunction with surgical procedures of the face. Non-ablative laser treatments can be performed in an office setting with an occcasional need for a topical numbing cream. They are often used in conjunction with other treatments to achieve your goals. For wrinkle removal, Botox, retinoids or fillers may be used in addition to the lasers. For vein removal, your doctor may recommend sclerotherapy (injections) along with the laser.