Choosing a Medical Aesthetics Provider: It’s About the Credentials. . . And More!

About a month ago, I visited Coastal Aesthetics for a series of Botox injections and facial fillers.  My experience with Coastal Aesthetics was extremely positive, not only because of the results achieved, but also because of the way in which I was treated during the consultation, treatment, and follow-up process.  The staff – Dr. Lonnie Scarborough, Tina Haney Scarborough (RN), and the office personnel – all worked seamlessly to make what could have been a stressful situation for this first-time patient relatively painless and anxiety free.
After some reflection, I’ve come to realize how the selection of the right medical aesthetics provider can influence not only the quality of results, but also the quality of the entire treatment experience.   Having someone inject appearance-changing substances into your face is an intensely personal matter; therefore, selecting the right medical professional for your treatment is very important.  Not only is it critical that you have confidence in the professional’s background and training, you must also have trust in their ability to work collaboratively with you to achieve the results you want.  
With those criteria in mind, following are a few suggestions – in addition to education and experience – to consider when selecting a treatment provider:

• Individualized service:  Do you feel as if you are the sole focus of attention during your appointment and consultation?  Does the service feel rushed, or are you given all the time you need to feel comfortable and relaxed?
• Responsive to feedback and input:  Are your opinions, thoughts and concerns about the procedure considered when designing a treatment regimen?  Does the medical staff work collaboratively with you to make sure your treatment is tailored to your specific aesthetic goals?  
• Outcomes:  Are you able to view samples of before and after photos of patients treated by the medical staff?  Do you have friends or acquaintances who have used their services and, if so, were they satisfied with the results?
• Communication:  Does the medical staff let you know what is happening and what to expect during every step of the process?  Are they responsive to your questions, giving thoughtful, thorough answers and inviting follow-up discussion?  
• Customer focus:  Are you greeted cordially and by name when you enter the office?  Is the office staff considerate and responsive to your needs and requests?
• Organization:  Is the office neat and relatively quiet?  Are the office staff professional in appearance and demeanor?  Are appointments scheduled and communicated efficiently without conflicts or confusion?  Is the staff accommodating in the event you need to cancel or change an appointment?  
• Follow-up:  Does the medical staff follow up with post-treatment contact (phone calls, texts, etc.) to ensure your recovery is progressing as planned?  Are they accessible in the event you have concerns that require additional follow-up visits and/or visual examination?

Every aesthetics patient deserves professional yet personalized attention to ensure a positive outcome and a positive experience.   So, when choosing your service provider, make sure you select someone who will provide unwavering focus on you and your personal aesthetic goals.  You’ll be glad you did!​