Choosing an Injector for BOTOX® Cosmetic and Fillers

With the ever-increasing popularity of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, practitioners of all types are eager to expand their offerings, especially when it comes to injectables. But like everything else, it’s important to remember that experience counts. A BOTOX treatment session is quick, but it’s still a medical procedure — and your injector should have the experience and training needed to provide optimal results with products like dermal fillers or BOTOX. As a board-certified dermatologist in Houston, I understand what patients should look for when choosing an injector.

Viewing before-and-after photos of actual patients treated with the same procedure is the best way to get a sense of how your results may look.

Cost can be a factor for some patients, but it shouldn’t be the primary reason to select one injector over another. (Getting the best deal is fine when shopping for clothes, but not when it comes to your health. This is no time for Groupon.) What matters most is a proven record of successful results.

Look for subtle changes in before-and-after photos, like these. BOTOX Cosmetic, for example, should have a smoothing effect on facial wrinkles.

Next to actual photos, extensive training and experience is the best predictor of great results. So what’s the best way to check on an injector’s qualifications? There are various resources available online to help.

• Credentials: Confirm that your provider is a board-certified dermatologist using the American Board of Dermatology website. Why does certification matter? It’s a signal of rigorous training and time devoted to developing expertise. To become a board-certified dermatologist, a practitioner needs to have graduated from medical school, completed a 1-year internship (minimum) along with a 3-year accredited dermatology residency program (minimum), and passed the written and oral examinations administered by the board.
• Experience: Even board certification alone isn’t a signal of relevant experience. Some dermatologists have a stronger focus on other procedures and don’t have much experience performing injections. When looking for an injector, ask about the total number of procedures performed and how long injectables have been a part of the services offered at the practices. Millimeters can make a lot of difference when injecting BOTOX, and that level of precision comes with time. It’s important that the injector is not only trained but experienced.
• Before & After photos: It’s impossible to stress this too much: If the injector doesn’t have photos of actual patients, consider that a red flag. These photos can help you choose an injector and provide a better idea of what to expect your results to look like.

Choosing an experienced, qualified injector is the best way to get the optimal results you want from aesthetic injections. At our practice, injectors skillfully combine fillers with BOTOX in a single procedure. That’s how we create the kind of comprehensive facial rejuvenation that gives our patients a real “wow” moment.

If you’d like to know more about our approach to injectables, please contact us and we’ll be happy to answer any additional questions.