So, you’ve been thinking about getting an aesthetic treatment, and you’re ready to take the next step? At Galderma we have over 25 years of experience with cosmetic injectables. To help you with your treatment journey, we’ve developed this helpful guide, so you know what to expect before, during and after your appointment.
Step 1: Find a healthcare practitioner who’s right for you
Finding the right healthcare practitioner is key to ensuring you get the results you’re after. They will be with you every step of the way - from consultation to follow-up appointments, so it’s important to find someone who not only understands your needs but can provide you with your desired outcome. We have three simple steps to help you find the right healthcare provider.
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Do your research: Desktop research is a great first step to finding the right healthcare practitioner. Have a look at clinics near you - check their website and social media to see if their work looks like the type of result you have in mind. Sometimes, the clinics’ injectors even have their own social media dedicated to sharing their patients' results, so you can really do some digging!
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Ensure your healthcare practitioner is qualified: It’s important that you engage a registered healthcare practitioner for your consultation and treatment. In New Zealand, this must be a medical doctor, dentist or registered nurse (under the supervision of a medical doctor). The body responsible for ensuring a practitioner is adequately qualified, is the NZSCM. Ensure your practitioner is NZSCM certified by consulting their Members Directory.¹
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Book a consultation: Once you’ve found the right clinic and healthcare practitioner, it’s time to book a consultation. This is a very important part of the process, where you’ll get professional advice on whether the treatment you’ve researched is actually the right fit for you. Booking a consultation doesn’t mean you have to go ahead with a treatment, it’s simply a chance for the injector to analyse your skin and provide you with their recommendations and information about the treatment.²
Step 2: Going to your consultation
So, what actually happens during your consultation? Your practitioner will find out more about you and your skin. They’ll ask you about the area you’re looking to improve or enhance and your desired outcome. You’ll chat about how you can achieve your desired look and the options that suit your skin and beauty goals. You will need to discuss any existing medical issues, allergies and medications so that your practitioner can take these into account when helping you make an informed decision.3
Step 3: Preparing for your treatment
Now that you’ve had your consultation, it’s time to book your treatment - how exciting! Your healthcare practitioner will provide you with directions on any specific preparation that you need to undertake before the treatment, but a general rule of thumb is to refrain from consuming any alcohol, vitamin supplements such as Omega 3 and blood thinners for up to a week prior. We recommend consulting your clinic or healthcare practitioner to confirm this, as any existing medical conditions and medications can have an impact.4
Another important thing to remember in the lead-up to your treatment is if you no longer wish to proceed with the treatment or want another consultation - either with your current practitioner or a new one for a second opinion - you should do so. Ensuring you feel confident moving forward with your chosen treatment and healthcare practitioner is paramount.
Step 4: During your treatment
During your appointment, your practitioner will first ask you to fill out the necessary paperwork (if not done before the appointment). They will also check if anything in your medical history has changed since you last saw them and confirm that you still wish to go ahead with the treatment that day.3
Your practitioner will walk you through the process and should continue to talk you through each step during your treatment. For some treatments, topical numbing (anaesthetic) products can be applied to ease discomfort or pain during the process. For other treatments, the products may contain an anesthetic agent in the formulation to ease treatment discomfort.3
Once your treatment is complete, you will be shown the treated area, discuss what to expect over the next few days/weeks and be taken through any aftercare requirements and potential side effects to look out for.
Step 5: Downtime and aftercare
Just because your treatment is complete doesn’t mean it’s all over! Your healthcare practitioner may recommend aftercare depending on what treatment you’ve had. For optimal results, it’s important to follow any aftercare instructions that you’ve been provided with.
Depending on the treatment, you may experience some bruising or swelling in the treated area, which can be treated with ice packs. It’s also important to watch for any side effects or adverse reactions your healthcare practitioner flagged with you during your appointment. Some general aftercare recommendations include avoiding strenuous exercise, direct sun and UV exposure to the treated area, as well as high temperatures, which can be found in saunas, for 48 hours post-treatment.4
Most importantly, remember that you can always consult your healthcare practitioner and clinic for any questions or concerns!
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References:
1New Zealand Society of Cosmetic Medicine, https://nzscm.co.nz/consumer-advice/commonly-asked-questions-about-cosmetic-medicine (Accessed 05/09/2022) .
2 American Society of Plastic Surgeons Surgery, https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers/consultation (Accessed 05/09/2022)
3 Brydie.com, https://www.byrdie.com/getting-lip-injections (Accessed 05/09/2022)
4 Healthline.com, https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/lip-fillers-aftercare#10-tips (Accessed 05/09/2022)
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