Questions to Ask Before Cosmetic Treatment
A question you did not ask before a treatment is the smallest warning sign there is, and it is easy to miss because nothing has gone wrong yet.
The sources below set out the questions worth asking. The sections below take them in a workable order, from the consultation itself to the price.
Why the consultation comes first
The American Academy of Dermatology says the cosmetic consultation is necessary when preparing for a cosmetic procedure. Information will be provided on the indications, risks, benefits and alternatives to the procedure under consideration, which matters so you can make the best-informed decision on whether to proceed.
Treat the consultation as the first test of the practice. If it does not cover risks and alternatives, that gap is itself information.
Questions to answer for yourself first
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests starting with your own answers. What do you want to get out of the procedure? Having clear goals can help you decide which procedure to get. What kind of downtime and risk are you willing to take? Some procedures require more recovery time than others. How much can you pay, or will insurance cover it?
Its full list of the best questions to ask when considering a cosmetic treatment is worth reading before the appointment.
Questions about who performs the procedure
The American Academy of Dermatology says that because results depend largely on the skill and experience of the person performing the procedure, it is important to select a board-certified physician. It also suggests asking what the doctor's experience with the procedure is, and finding out how many times the doctor has performed that exact procedure.
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery offers a parallel checklist. Is a doctor on site? Is the doctor board-certified in dermatology or in another specialty with equivalent training and experience? Was your medical history taken? Were you given an initial evaluation to determine if the technique or procedure is appropriate for your skin type? Did the doctor show you before-and-after photos?
Questions about your own skin
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests asking how often the doctor treats patients with your skin tone and type, and in your age range. Everyone responds differently to cosmetic procedures, and if the doctor has treated people who look like you before, you are more likely to get the results you expect.
Trends also deserve a check. The academy has published a piece on five unsafe skin care trends to avoid.
Questions about results and sessions
The American Academy of Dermatology asks what results you can realistically expect, and recommends asking to see before and after pictures of patients the doctor has treated with this procedure, especially patients with a similar skin tone and type to yours.
It also suggests asking how long the procedure will take and how many treatments will be needed to achieve your ideal outcome. Ask whether you will be numbed during the procedure, as well.
Questions about cost
The American Academy of Dermatology says to ask what the procedure will cost, since the doctor's office can provide cost information, and then to check whether your insurance may cover any part of it. Cosmetic procedures are typically not covered, but it is worth confirming.
Elsewhere the academy is blunter. Insurance does not cover the cost of cosmetic procedures, and since you have to pay the entire cost it can be tempting to look for the lowest price. Dermatologists caution that safety should be your first concern. While the cost can be lower at a salon or spa, you may pay more in the long run if something goes wrong.
The academy also asks whether cosmetic procedures are safe for people 65 and older.
The short version
Bring the questions in writing. Ask about the doctor first, your skin second, expected results third and cost last. A practice that answers each one plainly has passed the early check, and one that avoids them has told you something before any treatment begins.