Why bargain shopping and injectables do not mix
By: Dr. Corey Hartman, Skin Wellness Dermatology
Everybody loves a bargain, right? Getting an unbeatable deal on a great product or service – what’s not to love? But if you’re bargain shopping for your Botox or fillers, we need to have a talk.
Scanning coupon sites for injectables is a bad idea. Let’s face it, experienced and respected dermatologists who do a lot of injectables aren’t going to be offering bargain deals online.
Five major risks you take when bargain shopping for injectables
We’ve already talked about signs that it’s time to run from a good deal on injectables, like when the facility doesn’t seem clean or sanitized. But when you find a practice offering a “bargain” on fillers or Botox, are there actual risks involved?
The answer to that is a big, fat “YES.” Whether you know it or not, you’re taking some pretty big ones. The question is, are these risks you’re willing to take?
There’s a greater risk of infection. Any procedure that breaks the surface of the skin comes with a risk of infection. When you use an experienced, reputable injector, you can typically trust them to have the proper sanitation protocols in place in order to reduce this risk. With one who’s offering Botox at a bargain, you just can’t be sure.
Your injector may be ill-equipped to manage complications. Bad outcomes are going to happen, and this is why every injector needs to have extensive first-hand experience and training under experts who’ve taught them how to best avoid and manage complications.
These well-trained injectors are not only going to reduce the risk of complications occurring in the first place but be able to minimize the effects of those unavoidable ones that do occur. A “bargain” injector is much less likely to have this crucial training.
Your injector may be inexperienced in managing reactions. With certain types of fillers there are reactions that are known that we don’t really understand. One of those reactions is called delayed onset nodules, and this is where the patient starts developing knots under the skin. We can’t really predict who’s going to get it, or why they get it (there’s some thoughts about it being associated with people with autoimmune conditions or after recent dental work,) but it does happen from time to time.
Then, whenever you’re talking about injectables, there’s a risk for allergic reactions, paralysis, and uneven outcomes. Without sufficient experience, your injector isn’t going to be skilled in managing these types of adverse responses.
Your injector may not know how to manage the pain. Anytime you’re being injected with something, it’s not going to feel that great. But experienced injectors are going to create an environment that’s as comfortable as it can be and do it in a way that’s as painless as possible. It’s probably safe to say, for an injector with little experience, this isn’t going to be a top priority.
Your injector may not have the proper certification. You want to make sure your injector does enough in the industry that they’re keeping up with the latest and greatest. If they aren’t a board certified dermatologist or have other board certified credentials, then they don’t really have that same onus to keep up with all the education required to not only deliver the treatment, but to deliver the treatment in the best, most innovative way.
Yes, anybody can do injectables, even those offering the latest bargain deals on Groupon. The nuance comes from being able to listen to what the patient wants, have the eye to help them understand what it is they really need, the expertise to help them obtain those results, and of course, the ability to manage any reactions or complications.
Ultimately, in most if not all cases, those who provide injectables at a bargain price aren’t going to be able to give you the best, nor safest results.
Learn more about injectables from Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL
At Skin Wellness Dermatology , we offer cutting-edge skin care and dermatology services to our patients in the Greater Birmingham area, including Hoover and Homewood. At our offices in Birmingham & Chelsea, AL, our certified dermatologists are here to listen to your concerns and offer the individualized, high level of patient care you seek. We believe in making care accessible and affordable, and we will go out of our way to accommodate your visit. Give us a call today at 205-871-7332.