Five Things to Consider Before Choosing an Injector for BOTOX® in Los Angeles

When performed in the right place, at the right time, and by the right person, BOTOX® Cosmetic can be a highly effective and minimally invasive treatment that refreshes the face and can make a patient look years younger. Dr. Derek Jones, founder of Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, advises anyone looking to receive BOTOX® in Los Angeles and other parts of the country to do their homework when considering a provider of the treatment, as due diligence is necessary to minimize any chances of being left with unsatisfactory results or adverse effects.

1. Research the injector’s professional records, such as state medical boards and associations. The absolute base requirement for the provider you choose is that they should be qualified, trained, and registered with the state. A quick online search should help anyone find this information. It is important to note that while each state regulates who can provide BOTOX®, some states have stricter rules than others. While certain states only allow licensed physicians to administer BOTOX®, others—including California—allow other kinds of heath care professionals and paraprofessionals to treat patients under the supervision of the doctors. Also, consider that while this type of research has merit, it does not paint the most accurate picture of the doctor’s competence and experience with BOTOX® in particular.
2. Consider the profession and specialty of the injector. As stated above, doctors aren’t the only people who inject BOTOX®, and it is not unheard of for some salons to offer the service. But injecting BOTOX® is not a purely technical exercise, and while all licensed doctors can legally provide the service, not all of them have the artistic eye for facial harmony or specific medical knowledge of facial anatomy required for the best results. The best BOTOX® providers tend to be doctors such as dermatologists, facial plastic surgeons, or oculoplastic surgeons, as they best know how facial skin, muscles, and related structures behave, how these might react once injected with BOTOX®, and where the most appropriate injection points are for individual patients.
3. Board certification and provider status can be signs of knowledge, skill, and experience. Allergan, the manufacturer of BOTOX® and several popular fillers, designates injectors with a particular level or status based on the volume of product they purchase. Typically, injectors who administer a lot of units of BOTOX® need to purchase more product to supply their patients. Board certification is a status awarded by a medical board of general or specialized physicians to their peers who have passed certain exams and review processes. A doctor voluntarily applies to a board for certification, which is meant to demonstrate their skill, knowledge, and expertise. These awards, combined with results that speak for themselves, can tell a lot about an injector, which brings us to Dr. Jones’ final recommendations:
4. Look up before-and-after photos online or ask the provider for authorized photos of patients before and after their BOTOX® This will highlight not only the injector’s skill, but whether they have previously been able to replicate the kind of results a patient is looking to achieve.
5. Look up reviews and testimonials of the injector’s previous patients to assess whether the injector was able to provide the best possible results for each of them. Positive referrals from family and friends can be especially useful, and are a good indicator of whether an individual, too, will be satisfied with their results.