How to choose the best Aesthetic Doctor near you

06/09/24

I've had 28 years in clinical practice as a medical doctor which included General Practice, Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine. I can't serve everyone from the UK but I'd like to give you advice on how you choose the right aesthetic injector (ideally an aesthetic doctor) for you:

 

Does their face look natural?

If they look natural, then chances are, you will get a natural result. However, if they don't look natural then they may have what is called "Perception drift". This means they lose sight of what normal faces look like. This is not a good thing for you as a patient.

 

Does their aesthetic match yours?

For example if you are pursuing a look that exudes effortless elegance, then choose a doctor who portrays that too.

 

Do they have lots of before and after photos of their treatment results?

Ask to see the before and after photos of their best aesthetic results . Most patients consent to their photos being shared in clinic as opposed to online, so you should get to see lots of examples of your doctors results. 

 

Are they qualified for their job as an aesthetic doctor?

A shoulder orthopaedic surgeon may be excellent at that job, but do they have an aesthetic eye and understanding of the skin? It's my opinion that an aesthetic doctor should have General Practice training (but of course I would say that). This is because GPs are skilled at assessing psychological health, social well being and are very skilled at screening for physical illness (including Dermatological conditions).

 

Do they stock emergency prescription only medication (POM)?

In the UK only medical doctors and dentists are licensed to hold POM as stock. Other medical professionals need to order these from a chemist with a patient name attached. This means that prescription drug can only be administered to that particular patient. Therefor you need to visit a second time (when your prescription has arrived) before you can be treated. Doctors and Dentists can treat you immediately with the prescription medication they are licensed to hold in stock. 

 

Ask about complication rates from their audits.

Every experienced doctor would welcome this question. If they have no filler complications then they are not doing enough treatments or they are not recognising the complications. Either way, you should pause for thought.

 

Are they a GMC registered doctor?

Every GMC registered doctor has an externally approved doctor who assesses them annually. The ethics and probity of every doctor are examined to protect patients from harm.

 

Does the doctor use facial ultrasound?

Not a deal breaker, but it is assurance that the doctor takes your safety very seriously. Facial ultrasound has been used in UK clinics as a means of visualising vasculature prior to injection of filler (essentially jelly). If an artery is injected with filler, there are serious medical conserquences such as skin necrosis. It is best to try a prevent this complication. I was the 3rd aesthetic doctor to use the Clarius Aesthetic Ultrasound in the UK back in April 2021 and I'm proud to be a vocal advocate for patient safety and regulation.

 

Make sure you are within a reasonable travelling distance from the clinic to return ASAP, incase something has gone wrong.

No one likes to hear this, but things can go awry, even with very experienced and competent doctors. Ensure you are within a 3 hour drive from your doctor or stay locally for a couple of days after your procedure. This is so that you can be seen if a problem arises.

 

What you should know about having injectables such as Botox and dermal fillers, or having threadlifts in the UK.

Unfortunately aesthetics is unregulated. Any person can train for 4 hours in aesthetics, set up a training company, buy unregulated and not clinically tested fillers over the internet and inject your face. If you have consented to them injecting this then this act is perfectly legal. But as you can see, you are taking risks with your face. Hopefully regulation is coming. But in the meantime do your research and BE SAFE.

 

If you would like a consultation or treatment from me:

Book in for a consultation to see if a full facial rejuvenation is right for you. I serve patients mostly from North Wales and Cheshire as Dr K's Clinic is 1/2 way between Chester and Wrexham in a countryside setting with lovely gardens.

However, I also have UK wide and international patients (who stay locally for a couple of days after their treatment as per my advice- see above). I have clinical experience spanning over 28 years that includes general practice, aesthetics and dermatology. My clinic is award winning and considered one of the best aesthetic clinics in North Wales and Cheshire. I give honest, trustworthy and no obligation advice on what will deliver results. Click on the booking link at the top of this blog page or call my PA on 07711190079 to book a consultation.