How to Spot an Skilled Injector for Facial Fillers, With Before & Afters
Facial fillers require a lot more skill than, say, a facial—so how do you know who to trust for your lip filler, cheek filler, or other treatments?!
Start by looking at their medical credentials, experience, and reviews. If they pass those critical measures, then we recommend inspecting their before and after photos with a microscope (a figurative one) to make sure you like their work.
Below, we explain everything you need to know.
How to vet an injector
Check credentials, experience, & reviews
Check any potential filler providers for these factors, which predict safety, skill, and how satisfied you’re likely to be with the treatment results:
- Medical Credentials: Medical professionals including dermatologists, plastic surgeons, nurses, and physician assistants are qualified to perform injections. Aestheticians or those without a medical credential are not.
- Special Cosmetic Training: They should also have specialized training in facial anatomy and experience with injectable fillers, from a manufacturer (such as Allergan) or other reputable injectable training programs.
- Experience: Look for an injector who has a large amount of experience specifically with fillers. The more treatments they’ve performed, the more adept they’re likely to be at achieving natural-looking results and preventing any complications.
- Consultation Process: A good injector will offer a consultation before any treatment. This is crucial for explaining the options available, disclosing potential risks, and discussing your aesthetic goals to make sure that fillers are the right treatment to meet your expectations.
- Reviews and Testimonials: Look up reviews and testimonials from previous patients. While every patient’s experience is unique, a pattern of satisfied patients is a strong indicator of a skilled injector.
If you’re not confident in your choice right off the bat, then consult with a few injectors before deciding. Trust your instincts, as fillers come with real risks in unsafe hands and take many months (or years) to fade—so your safety and satisfaction are paramount.
Look closely at their before-and-after photos
Before-and-after photos of your injector’s previous patients are key to giving you a sense of their skill level and whether their aesthetic sensibilities align with your goals. Look for results that appear natural and subtle—fillers are ideal for making small, just-enough tweaks to facial features that make your look pop.
To help you practice evaluating filler results, here are some of our Rancho Cucamonga medspa’s recent before-and-afters, plus why we love these patients’ results.
Lip filler
Each of these three lip filler patients below has their own singular and elegant natural lip shape. But in all of these cases, you can see that our injectors used lip filler to enhance their already-beautiful cupid’s bows and unique lip contours with more volume. Lip filler also helps their lips to look hydrated and smooth.
Under-eye filler
Under-eye filler, when applied correctly, smooths the “tear trough” hollows below the eyes and helps to reduce the appearance of dark under-eye circles. In the “after” photo below, the patient simply looks rested and youthful compared with her “before” photo.
Cheek filler
Cheek filler should create a subtle change in facial features by increasing volume in just the right spot along the cheekbones. Look for a naturally more contoured, balanced, and angular facial structure in the “after” photos.
Non-surgical rhinoplasty with filler
Skill with non-surgical rhinoplasty may be the easiest to spot in before and after photos, as the “after” photo should look totally natural, yet totally transformed! In this case, our injectors used dermal filler to add volume to the patient’s nasal tip and upper nose bridge to create the illusion of a straightened dorsal hump.
Signs of an ethical, safe, and skilled injector
Product Knowledge: A skilled injector should have in-depth knowledge of the different types of fillers available (including hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite) and their best applications. They should also be able to explain why they recommend a particular product for your specific needs.
Safety Standards: The injector should practice in a clean, professional setting and follow safety protocols to minimize risks of infection and complications. They should also be prepared and knowledgeable about handling adverse reactions or emergencies.
Ethics: A reputable injector should prioritize your health and satisfaction over making a sale. They will be honest about what fillers can and cannot achieve and will refuse to perform unnecessary procedures, offering alternatives if appropriate.
Follow-Up Care: Good practitioners provide clear instructions for aftercare and offer follow-up appointments to monitor the results and address any concerns.
About Ahava MedSpa & Made You LookAt Ahava MedSpa and Made You Look, our highly trained physicians, physician assistant, RN, and esthetician providers have years of experience and an intimate understanding of skin and beauty. Schedule your appointment today by calling 909-987-0899 for Ahava MedSpa or 909-204-7374 for Made You Look!
