You’ve spent the lockdown browsing the internet. Maybe you are toying with the idea of having an aesthetic treatment or two and have been looking for aesthetic practitioners in your area. In this feature, our regular columnist and Save Face Excellence Accredited Aesthetic Artist, Amish Patel, explains why you need to be even more vigilant in your choice of practitioner post lockdown
During the lockdown, my social media feeds have been filled with plenty of social media adverts promising the ultimate online course to teach you from absolute beginner how to inject fillers with the allure that you can make ‘thousands of pounds’ in doing so!
My only assumption in the increase in these adverts is that during the lockdown with the continued closure, beauty businesses are struggling. The temptation to ‘learn a new skill to help generate new revenue when they reopen is undoubtedly there.
So, why does this concern me?
For one, our industry is not regulated, which means anyone can pick up a needle and some fillers and start advertising themselves as an aesthetic practitioner.
Secondly, learning online will and never should, replace hands-on learning under the expert eye of a professional. As a trainer myself, students learn the art of injecting under strict guidance and, more importantly, how to spot complications and deal with these. Online learning is excellent for theory learning. For practical, you need hands-on training, and this can be the difference between beautiful and the ugly reality of complications and disfigurement.
I would imagine that post lockdown we will see a fresh crop of new businesses advertising themselves in aesthetics following these courses. The frightening reality is that they will be learning their trade on your face as a paying customer!
Worst still, should complications arise, coupled with their inexperience and from their new lockdown garden room/come aesthetic treatment room there won’t be the emergency clinical situation you will need in the event of a situation.
As a respected clinic, unfortunately, we see the results and distress caused by bad aesthetic work in our sector from referrals. For these clients, often it is their first time. They will have been drawn in by an unbelievably low price, or merely the convenience “It was only 10 minutes away from home”.
Doing your research before booking that appointment is so important. This is your face and an integral part of your confidence.
The Case Study:
One of these complication clients, Sarah, came to us with a lump in her lip following filler elsewhere. The lump had remained there for several years and whilst the rest of the filler had started to dissipate naturally, Sarah had been left with this noticeable lump in her lip, which was evident and painful to touch.
Sarah was understandably very apprehensive about having the lump dissolved, so I balanced the lips for her to ‘catalogue’ the lump, until Sarah got the confidence some appointments later to entrust me to dissolve the filler and start again. Now we have a happy and confident client, precisely how it should be following an aesthetic treatment.
Sarah says;
“Lots of my friends talk about having their lips done, and I always say to them, do your research, make sure the person has the experience and uses a clinical environment to work in, in case something goes wrong. Knowing what I know now, I am horrified to see people with little or no experience setting up as aesthetic practitioners doing fillers from their garden sheds or kitchens. People need to know that complications can happen with fillers, but you significantly reduce the risk by making an educated choice.”
My Take-Away Tips:
- Do your homework before choosing the practitioner – what is their experience? Ask to see examples of their work to make an informed choice.
- Where and what are their premises? Is it a safe and clinical environment?
- How long have they been working as an aesthetics practitioner?
- What is their background, training and affiliations?
Don’t be driven exclusively by price. Bad aesthetic work is expensive emotionally and financially can present a long and drawn-out process to rectify.
Amish Patel is an Award-Winning aesthetics practitioner. Amish’s extensive training includes at the Royal College Of General Practitioners and with some of the best Harley Street, International Aesthetic Doctors in the sector.
Amish launched Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic in 2016, and his talent for creating beautiful results without the need for surgery has seen his loyal clientele grow year on year. Amongst the many procedures Amish offers is Non-surgical Rhinoplasty which has built Amish an international reputation for being the ‘go-to’ ‘liquid nose job guru’. A long standing member of ‘Save Face’ Amish has achieved ‘excellence’ rating. Save Face is a national register of Accredited practitioners who provide non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers. Their Register is accredited by Professional Standards Authority and is recognised by the Government, The Department of Health, NHS England and The Care Quality Commission.
Amish is also a member of the ACE Group (Aesthetic Complications Expert) Group. Amish’s background as an Award-Winning pharmacist, also gives him unrivalled knowledge and expertise in both the products he chooses to work with and achievable results. Amish is also a respected aesthetics trainer and regularly features in the national and international press.