Let’s be honest. “Grouponing” and couponing is almost a national sport. Who doesn’t want to save money? Everyone does—Duh! But, what happens if you do follow the sale and (not to be too cliché) you get what you paid for? Then what? The neuromodulator or the dermal filler just didn’t quite turn out the way you wanted—what can you do?
First, be wary of deals that are too good to be true. There is usually a reason. If an office has a new provider or is trying to increase new patients or clients, they may use marketing vehicles such as Groupon or Living Social to reach a large number of people. Call the business before committing to a treatment and ask your questions. What kind of experience, training, and patient feedback/results does the injector have? Online reviews can also be helpful, but keep in mind that unhappy people talk, and satisfied people do not.
Budget is definitely a consideration for the majority of us. If you are happy with your current injector it is okay to discuss injections in the context of a comprehensive cosmetic and skin care plan and overall cost. Purchasing a package of services may provide high-quality services with a provider you trust at a price that matches your budget. If you receive multiple services or are considering a new service bring it up and make sure you are on the mailing list, so you are kept updated on events and promotions.
Okay, so you succumbed to temptation and paid the price. You ended up with a heavy brow or the dreaded “duck lips.” There are several options. You can go back to where you were disappointed and see if anything can be done to correct it. In the case of the heavy brow, a tincture of time may be your best option. If a hyaluronic acid filler was too much or placed in a way that wasn’t appealing to you it may be appropriate to use a reversal agent such as hyaluronidase.
Another option is to go back to the injector with whom you had great results and simply confess. They may be wondering why you left and would appreciate feedback on what influenced your decision. The relationship between a patient and injector should be based on mutual respect, open communication, and trust. It helps when the consumer is educated and gives honest feedback.
So, how do you know if you have good injector? In general, a good injector will take before pictures, provide after-procedure care instructions, and be available for follow up. They will listen to your concerns, provide education and recommendations, and be willing to tell you “no.” If they are not comfortable with an off-label application of a product, or they disagree with your request (i.e. they think your cheeks looked balanced or more filler will detract from your smile) they need to be able to decline your request. If this happens you should be given an explanation and possibly a referral to another injector. And you should thank them. A good injector wants a good outcome for patients and will be able to assist them in achieving it.
Cosmetic procedures are elective; there is no emergent reason to justify a poorly planned neuromodulator or dermal filler. It is important to have a skilled injector you trust, understand the risks and benefits of any procedure you undergo, and have appropriate expectations for your outcomes. Much of the risks can be mitigated (such as infection), but others (such as excess movement after a neuromodulator) may be due to the patient’s biology. By going back to the same injector, they can adapt and adjust your procedures to get maximum benefit and results. After all, you are a walking advertisement of their work.
