Our Guide to Safe, Effective Medical Aesthetics
At View Laser, our priority is always patient well-being. We are committed to providing comprehensive, personalized treatment plans that are not only effective but also safely administered by experienced professionals who put your health first.
“As a physician, it breaks my heart to see people being misled and harmed by unqualified practitioners in the medical aesthetics industry,” says View Laser Skin Rejuvenation Owner and Medical Director, Dr. Martin Ray. “Too often, patients come to me after receiving treatments from individuals who lack proper training or oversight, leaving them with complications that could have been avoided.”
With the wide range of medical aesthetic treatments and products available, and the varying marketing that accompanies many of these treatments, it can be confusing to know how to best ensure your safety while getting the best results possible. Read on for our advice.
Choose a Licensed Practitioner
Always go to a licensed medical professional such as a physician (MD) or nurse who is registered with their respective medical college (e.g., the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia or the BC College of Nurses & Midwives). The college’s duty is to the public, therefore practitioners must maintain their duty to the patient. These organizations ensure their members adhere to strict standards of care and ethics, and they have the authority to investigate complaints and revoke licenses if necessary.
Before booking a treatment, verify that the practitioner is in good standing with their college. A quick call or visit to the college website can confirm this information.
At View Laser, everything that goes on is deemed under Dr. Ray’s medical practice as a physician, whether he is present or not. That means he takes full responsibility for all staff, treatments, and products at our clinic.
Who Can Perform Cosmetic Procedures in BC?
In British Columbia, the following professionals are licensed to perform injections:
Physicians (MDs): Botox and dermal fillers.
Dentists: Botox injections only.
Naturopaths: Botox and dermal fillers (only in BC, not elsewhere in Canada).
Nurse Practitioners: Botox and dermal fillers.
Nurses & LPNs: Botox and dermal fillers, but only under a physician’s supervision; the physician remains responsible for patient care.
For laser treatments, it depends on the type of laser. Laser procedures done with non-medical lasers can be performed by a licensed or unlicensed person (e.g. a medical office assistant or technician), and the training and experience requirements vary.
Beware of Unqualified Practitioners
Some businesses list doctors as their medical directors, but the physician has little to no involvement in patient care. If the medical director is absent or unqualified to perform treatments, you may be at risk.
“Beware of ‘phantom physicians’ at medical aesthetic clinics,” says Dr. Ray. “Are they the medical director by name only? Or are they present? Do they own the clinic? Are they regularly providing treatments? Unfortunately I’ve seen medical directors who don’t know how to turn on the treatment machines.”
Additionally, be cautious of practitioners who call themselves “Doctor” (e.g., “Dr. Lipjob”) but are not licensed medical doctors. If something goes wrong under the care of a non-college practitioner, your only recourse may be a police report for a personal injury claim or a difficult legal battle, as it is very challenging to get a conviction under these circumstances.
The Risks of Botox Parties and Discount Treatments
While "Botox parties" may seem like a fun and convenient way to get treatments, they often violate medical standards. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC requires that all treatments occur in a medical environment with proper consent, before-and-after photos, and sterile conditions. Many of these parties involve wine or cocktails, but if alcohol is involved, informed consent is considered invalid.
When choosing a provider, many people shop for the lowest price, when they should be shopping for the safest, most effective treatment from the most experienced person they can find. Complications from improperly administered treatments can be costly to fix, and in some cases, irreversible.
“It can be challenging to remove filler,” says Dr. Ray. “It’s not always simple, and patients who might’ve gotten a deal are then left with the additional costs of removal, as well as the original issue they went to have treated.”
Common Risks and Complications
The most common complaint or action in medical aesthetics is regarding laser hair removal. At some medi-spas, laser hair removal is often delegated to a junior staff member, despite it actually being one of the riskier treatments.
Laser Treatments: When performed incorrectly, laser treatments can cause burns, scarring, or ineffective results.
Botox: If injected incorrectly, Botox can cause drooping eyelids or asymmetry. Fortunately, it wears off over time.
Fillers: While swelling and bruising are common, the biggest risk is vascular necrosis, where blood supply is cut off, which can lead to significant tissue loss or, in extreme cases, blindness.
The Problem with Inexperienced Injectors
Medical aesthetics is a field that requires ongoing training and experience. At advanced training conferences, physicians often see practitioners with minimal experience attempting high-risk procedures. Many individuals learn to inject through online courses or brief workshops without fully understanding the risks or management of complications. Unfortunately, large corporations are also contributing to this issue by allowing minimally trained individuals to operate in medical spas, creating a false sense of security for patients.
“I go to conferences where advanced injection techniques, such as using filler in noses, is being taught to an audience of 200 people,” explains Dr. Ray. “It’s no longer solely physicians at these conferences; many people are learning on the internet how to inject, and anyone can buy a laser and launch a medi-spa. Many people at these sales conferences have minimal experience but may go back to try these advanced techniques on their patients without a clear sense of the risks involved or the ability to mitigate potential complications.”
Industry Issues and Emergency Room Limitations
If you experience issues from a cosmetic treatment, do not expect emergency room doctors to have expertise in managing aesthetic complications. Many are unfamiliar with treatment protocols for filler or Botox complications and may misdiagnose the issue.
“It’s unfortunate that some companies are selling their products with minimal requirements for knowledge and education. It fosters a false sense of simplicity and ease, which leads to a false sense of safety and security,” says Dr. Ray. “I see procedures promoted on Instagram and elsewhere with an ‘everybody’s doing it’ mentality, but these are medical procedures that require skill to carry out properly as well as the knowledge and ability to manage any complications. As an experienced physician, I’ve been getting more requests through industry reps to fix treatments gone wrong, which has its own difficulties.”
12 Tips for Choosing the Right Clinic
Check Credentials: Verify that the practitioner is registered with a recognized medical college.
Check Online Reviews: Look at a clinic or practitioner’s website and Google reviews, but don’t stop there!
Visit the Clinic In-Person: Go early; watch who goes in and out and how they look. Observe how the staff interacts with patients, and how they look and behave, as well as and how the facility is maintained.
Meet the Doctor: Ensure you have a comprehensive consultation and medical review before committing to any treatment.
Ask for Before & After Photos: These should be unedited and reflect real patients treated by the clinic. Also ask if the photos represent multiple treatments. If you decide to undergo treatment, ensure you have access to your own before & after pictures.
Understand Treatment Plans: A single treatment rarely provides the best result. Think of cosmetic treatments as an ongoing relationship, not a one-time fix. Ask about appropriate before and after care for any treatments and ensure you follow the directions.
Keep An Open Mind: If you’re seeing an experienced physician, make every attempt to ask them what they recommend as opposed to coming in and telling them what they should be doing. Also keep your mind open on budget; consider starting with what the doctor recommends, and ask about pricing and financing options. Pricing should be transparent!
Don’t Immediately Sign Any Contracts: Review the proposed plan, and ask if there are package deals to combine multiple treatments; this can benefit you because a comprehensive treatment plan often ensures the best results. That said, beware of open houses or other party-type atmospheres that sell large generic packages that lock you in at a perceived discount.
Consider Financing Options: Most clinics provide third-party financing; for long-term treatment plans, this option can even give you a final cost that ends up saving you money. However, be cautious about financing options that may have high interest rates; the clinic should be able to clearly explain your options and final costs.
Ensure Support for Complications: Ask if the clinic provides additional treatments at no charge if results are not as expected, and if there are costs associated with managing potential complications. How are risks managed? Will the doctor be available?
Bring a Friend: When you go in for a consultation, bring a friend (but not your kids or your dog!) Having someone with you can help you feel more comfortable and supported and ensure you don’t overlook important details. Four ears are better than two!
Go Low/Start Slow: Remember, you’ll never get anywhere without a plan, and you’ll never get the best result with just a single treatment. Think about this as an ongoing relationship and an annual plan.
Final Thoughts
While cosmetic procedures are safe and can have great benefits, they should not be taken lightly. Prioritizing safety and expertise over cost will always yield the best results. Take the time to do thorough research, ask the right questions, and choose a qualified, experienced provider to ensure the best outcome for your aesthetic treatments.
If you have any questions about choosing the right provider or understanding different treatments, please contact us. We care deeply about our patients, and your safety should always come first!
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