Injectable Biostimulator Treatments have risks and are not suitable for all patients, which is why a consultation is essential prior to considering this type of treatment.

With these types of treatments on the rise, here are some guidelines and questions you should be asking your provider before proceeding with a treatment.
It’s your face, not a facial - you are allowed to ask these questions and legally, you should be fully informed!

Start with a Consultation

All good clinicians will start with a medical assessment and thorough initial consultation including examining your face. Thi is also an opportunity for you to “get their vibe” and see if you align with their aesthetic look and values. Trust your instinct. Nobody “needs” medical aesthetic treatments., they should be a choice to empower you, not a substitute for insecurity or a silver bullet for your self esteem - treatments are just skin deep. They don’t make you a better person.

It’s also a good sign if you feel excited and ready to make the next step after your consultation.

However, if you leave feeling undermined, devalued, rushed or pressured into a treatment - or worse - with a host of issues you never thought you had, this is a a red flag.

What is The Experience of your Clinician?

Only an experienced clinician with advanced training skills should be injecting you with a non reversible agent such as an injectable Collagen Stimulator. This is an advanced treatment. This means at least 2 years of full time injecting, advanced training in anatomy, the ability to use different techniques such as a cannula and needle, and hopefully ultrasound training if they wish to inject high risk areas of the face.

Do they understand your Medical History and risks of the treatment?

The clinician should understand what things increase your risk of an adverse effect after a treatment- this means assessing your medical history, medications and surgical history. Your prescribing doctor or Nurse Practitioner should be having this conversation with you, as they have extra training in prescribing and medical knowledge. A regular nurse is not qualified to have this type of discussion with a patient.

What is Their approach to managing risks and complications for nodules occuring after Biostimulators?

Different Biostimulators have different risks, including the risk of nodule (lump) formation. You should ask them what product they are using, what dilution they are using, what the risk of inflammatory nodules is with their chosen product, and how they would manage a complication such as a nodule if it arose.

Again, your prescribing doctor or nurse practitioner needs to have this discussion with you as it involves specific knowledge that is not in the scope of practice of a Registered Nurse.

What is the risk of vascular occlusion and how would your clinician manage a vascular occlusion?

All practitioners should have an “emergency kit” in their clinic which contains an algorithm for managing an unexpected urgent event or complication. You should ask to see it.

Some areas of the face have a higher risk of blood vessel blockage than others. You should know if these areas are being injected, and how your clinician will mitigate these risks.

For example, in my practice, I use Ultrasound prior to injecting a higher risk area, change my technique according to evidence based protocols, and attend independent education annually to keep up to date with the ever expanding medical aesthetics industry. The staff that work with me undergo a stepped approach to injection area, starting with showing competency for a lower risk area before moving on. This is based on peer reviewed (but unfortunately not enforced) protocols - as we have no overarching oversight from a governing body that assesses competency.

While all of these things don’t give me, 100% coverage, they also provide me with the confidence to deal with any concerns. My medical degree and 20 years of experience as a doctor also help me to assess potential concerns independently.

What are the alternatives to Biostimulators?

It is now mandatory for all injectors to inform you about the options for treating your clinical concern. This includes not doing the procedure, non invasive options such as topical treatments and energy based devices/ lasers, different injection modalities options.

The most satisfying consults I have with my patients occur when we come up with the best options for them- and yes, sometimes that involves me opting out of treatment, referring for a surgical lift or blepharoplasty or just simply being honest that I can’t help them with their issue.

As always in medicine, YOU should be at the centre of the consultation, not the clinicians bank balance! Honesty is what brings patients back, and earns you more referrals than any Google Adword campaign!