If you’re thinking about dabbling in lip injections to plump your pout, it can be a daunting Google search. It seems like every clinic is offering a special deal and you can get huge discounts on sites like Groupon—but how do you weed through quantity, and how do you know what quality looks like? Megan Kozak, registered nurse, certified aesthetic injector and founder of Pout in Toronto shares her tips on navigating the injectables market.
Start your research
“Educate yourself: filler injections are becoming increasingly popular, but that doesn’t change the fact that they are still medical procedures. Therefore, make sure to do your own due diligence in regards to these procedures and familiarize yourself with what they are, how they work, and what to expect even before you begin your search for a reputable clinic. Be an informed patient!”
Look for a reputable clinic
“From a website you should be able to see what services the clinic offers, who performs the injections, and perhaps before and after photos. Look for clinics or practitioners whose main focus is injectables and other aesthetic procedures. More and more practitioners are using Instagram to showcase their work, too: This is a great tool to browse before and afters and get a feel for the person behind the needle.”
Don’t settle for less than a pro
“As the industry is growing there are many people trying to get into the business of cosmetic injectables, but please be sure to only seek out a licensed physician or nurse trained and experienced in aesthetic medicine. A trained medical professional will have the necessary knowledge of facial anatomy to perform safe treatments and the expertise to determine which products are suitable for your individual concerns. Don’t forget that although there is the technical component to injections, there is also an artistic component. An experienced injector will have a trained aesthetic eye, being able to assess the face as a whole and deliver natural-looking results.”
Do a consultation to manage expectations
“Your practitioner will listen to your concerns and identify solutions to reach your aesthetic goals. Once a plan is made your practitioner will outline what to expect from the treatment including what products they will be using, how they will administer the injection, pain levels associated with the injection, and post-care treatments. The cost of the procedure should be outlined clearly before you go ahead with the treatment and there should be no surprises when you are finished the treatment and ready to pay.”
Find an injector you’re comfortable with
“I spend a significant amount of time educating the patient on the procedures, how they work, and what to expect. If the patient is informed and understands the process they will better understand the outcomes and have realistic expectations going forward. With medical procedures there are medical terms that may go above and beyond the vocabulary of one who is not part of the medical field: Using medical terms may make the injector sound more important, but it is not beneficial for the patient. Getting on the patient’s level and speaking in common terms helps to build that practitioner-patient trust.”
