Frances Turner Traill, who is a Consultant Cosmetic Nurse and a trainer for Sinclair Pharma, runs two skin clinics in Scotland. She has kindly pulled together her twelve essential tips for those considering aesthetic treatments, have a read below:
Make sure the person treating you is a Cosmetic Doctor or a Cosmetic Nurse. Doctors and nurses may be medically trained but if they don’t have specific additional training in cosmetic procedures, they should be avoided.
Ask for proof that they are registered with recognised organisations such as The British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN) or the British College of Aesthetics Medicine (BCAM).
Ask to see evidence of the qualifications and training certificates in the specific treatment you are having. In England the clinic should have CQC certification and the doctor, nurse or dentist should be registered with their professional regulatory body. In Scotland Health Improvement Scotland regulations will come into force in April 2017.
Don’t be persuaded to have more treatments than you have requested. Principled doctors and nurses should provide you with a variety of treatment options and set your expectations about what you can expect. They should not persuade you to have treatments you don’t want!
An ethical clinic should offer you a ‘cooling off’ period to allow you to consider the treatment options you have been given. Don’t be pressurised into acting fast, taking advantage of financial incentives to have treatment immediately and so on.
Ask about recovery time, aftercare and precautions you should take after treatment - a good clinic will always provide you with written guidance to take home with you, as it is sometimes hard to take in everything in one go.
Ask to see examples of the clients work, read testimonials on line and even ask to speak to patients to ask for their opinions.
Don’t have injectable treatments outside a clinic environment (at a party, on an exhibition stand or in a shopping centre) as it is vital that the correct treatment protocols and sterility guidelines are adhered to if infection and complications are to be avoided.
If you are asked if you smoke, drink or take medication, there is a reason for this as it may make you more prone to bruising, for example, so answer questions honestly. You are not there to be judged, but protected!
Advise the clinician if you are about to go on holiday, have a medical condition or take part in strenuous sports activities and so on as these could also affect which treatments you can have and your recovery.
Ask for a telephone number you can call if anything goes wrong so that you can get the right advice, fast and effectively.
If anything doesn’t feel right, go with your gut instincts and delay having treatment – or find another clinic.
http://www.sinclairpharma.com/