Choosing the right aesthetic practitioner is an incredibly personal and crucial decision. Your journey to aesthetic transformation isn’t one to be undertaken lightly, and the individual wielding the needle or the laser has a significant bearing on your results and overall experience.
Here we aim to guide you through the essential factors to consider, ensuring that your chosen aesthetic practitioner is qualified, experienced, and aligns with your specific needs.
First and foremost, it is imperative to thoroughly research a practitioner’s credentials. In the UK, registered doctors, dentists, and nurses can perform non-surgical aesthetic treatments as well as anyone that has taken an aesthetics training course.
If the practitioner is a medic, then they should be registered with a professional body such as the General Medical Council (GMC) for doctors, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for nurses, and the General Dental Council (GDC) for dentists. These credentials ensure that the practitioner meets the minimum requirements for practicing medicine or nursing and has adhered to professional standards of conduct.
Experience also plays a vital role. An aesthetic practitioner can have all the qualifications but lack the requisite expertise in specific treatments. As the practitioner how long, they have been treating clients and the number of treatments they have done over that time, this will give you an idea of their skill set. If possible, choose a practitioner who specialises in the treatment you are considering; a practitioner’s expertise in a specific area often translates to a more refined skill set and better outcomes.
Reviews are a fantastic way to gauge a practitioner’s ability and reputation. Real reviews are one of the best ways to find out how good the practitioner is. See if they have any Google reviews or Facebook reviews, as these are hard to fake. Be cautious, though; ensure that the reviews are from a reliable source, as reviews can sometimes be manipulated. Websites like Trustpilot or the practitioner’s Google Business page usually offer more trustworthy testimonials.
One of the most revealing factors when choosing an aesthetic practitioner is their portfolio of before-and-after photos. By looking through the practitioner’s before and after photos, you will see how good their results are. Especially if you are intending to have a similar treatment. However, be sure to look closely; the photos should be consistent in lighting, pose, and angles, to allow for an honest comparison. Beware of practitioners who only show ‘perfect’ results, as this could suggest they are only showing their best work and not an accurate representation of typical outcomes.
Finally, trust your instincts. During your consultation, observe the practitioner’s demeanour. Are they open, honest, and patient? Do they listen to your concerns and offer realistic expectations? Your relationship with your aesthetic practitioner should be based on mutual respect and trust.
When choosing an aesthetics practitioner, it can be a hard process, especially if you haven’t been recommended. It’s important to do your research, read reviews and see before and after photos. But always sit down with a practitioner and discuss what you are looking to achieve. Once you feel comfortable with someone then you’ll know you are in the right hands!