Facing Up To The Facts About Fillers

1. What is the person’s background/qualification?

Are they medically qualified? For me this is THE MOST IMPORTANT consideration of all the points I am going to make.

Due to the aesthetic market being massively unregulated in the UK it has seen a huge increase in the types of people claiming to be ‘expert aesthetic practitioners’ or one of my favourites ‘Harley Street trained expert injector’. Unfortunately this could be an ex bricklayer for all the general public know (just to clarify bricklayers do an incredible job and I am not discrediting this profession at all) My point is ANYBODY can train in aesthetics nowadays.

So why choose a medical profession – Nurse? Doctor? Dentist?

They have been to university and studied the anatomy, drugs, drug interactions, side effects, anaphylaxis- dealt with people fainting, needle phobias and infection control to name a few.

When things go wrong – they know how to deal with it. And this involves PRESCRIPTION ONLY MEDICATIONS! Let me repeat that PRESCRIPTION ONLY MEDICATIONS. OBTAINED VIA A PRESCRIPTION. Not via the internet, or the black market but from a UK based pharmacy.

And let me say this loud and clear – things can go wrong when fillers are injected into the face, MASSIVELY!

A very serious complication that can occur is a vascular occlusion – this is where the filler is accidentally injected into the vessel. This causes the blood supply to be restricted or blocked to the surrounding areas of your face – leading to the tissue becoming necrotic (skin dies) and/or permanent blindness. As a Nurse, Dr or Dentist we have the drugs available to reverse this complication if identified fast enough – the quicker the complication is identified and treated the better the outcome.

Injectables also come with the risks of infections, cysts and nodules which can require antibiotics and steroids – again another prescription only medication. 

And god forbid you are allergic and go into anaphylaxis – as a medical professional we can administer the drugs required to save your life! Unfortunately, if you go into anaphylaxis, calling and waiting for an ambulance doesn’t always cut it when your airway is closing up……adrenaline is needed, prompt!

Nurses, doctors and dentist are also accountable to a governing body (NMC/GMC/GDC), and we have a DUTY OF CARE. You can also check the register to make sure we are what we say we are.

2. Ask what  brand of fillers and products they are using and where they bought it from?

Do not be embarrassed to ask what filler or toxin your practitioner is using AND where they sourced the products from. Just like designer clothing, there are plenty knock off fillers and toxin readily available over the internet….at a heavily reduced price. So when you see cheap ‘deals’ start to question how they are able to do the procedure so cheap, pay their insurance, the tax man, the clinic/salon they are working from….. and make a profit???.

Ask your practitioner if the product is MHRA approved and CE marked…..if they look clueless, turn around….and leave! These indicate the quality of the product. Those of us who use the approved fillers and toxins won’t think you’re being ‘cheeky’ or ‘rude’ by questioning us, we welcome it as it shows you’re desire to be treated by a professional. Would you rather feel cheeky and know you’re in safe hands or keep quiet and risk serious side effects? I know what id rather do!

3. Is the environment clean?

Make sure the environment is clean and sanitary. Do they use chlorhexidine to clean your face or baby wipes? Do they have a sterile field? Is the environment fit for purpose?

As a 1st year student nurse I remember my first practical exam, aseptic non touch technique, I use this same technique today…not one of my patients have had an infection post treatment.

This is your health, your face and your money. Make sure you get what you deserve.