The continuing rise in the demand for non-surgical cosmetic procedures has led to an increase in the number of people administering these types of treatments at incredibly low prices. Whilst this might sound like good news for the consumer, unfortunately it’s far from it.
Non-surgical cosmetic procedures, and botulinum toxin injections in particular, are costly for very good reasons. The expense involved in using quality products, providing excellent service and meeting the necessary safety requirements is significant, so in order to meet these costs, quality practitioners have to set their prices accordingly.
In order to help educate the public about what exactly they are getting for their money when they invest in a quality non-surgical procedure, we’ve put together a brief guide to what’s goes into bringing you a treatment you can trust.
Research
The company that manufactures botulinum toxin for cosmetic use has invested hundreds of thousands of pounds in developing, researching and providing evidence of its safety and effectiveness. They also continue to invest in further research and development, discovering new ways their medicines can be used and developing new products. The cost of this investment is reflected in its price.
Training
Responsible non-surgical cosmetic practitioners will invest heavily in training and ongoing education in order to expertly deliver safe treatments, and having received initial training will continue to invest in further education, attending conferences, workshops, training updates and meetings.
A Safe Environment
The overheads of providing a safe environment to administer non-surgical cosmetic procedures can be extremely costly, as practitioners must ensure that they comply with health and safety legislation, are able to safely supply and store medicines, that they can securely store medical records to protect confidentiality. They must also implement and uphold relevant policies and procedures to minimise risks.
Assessment
When you meet with a properly qualified, responsible practitioner, they will invest time in consultation and assessment to ensure that you receive the correct treatment for your individual needs. They will also take time to answer any questions that you may have in order to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about whether to proceed with your treatment.
Quality of Care
Once you have decided to go ahead with your treatment, a qualified practitioner will also provide you with quality service and after care, which will include a follow up consultation to ensure that your treatment has been a success.
Insurance
All good non-surgical cosmetic practitioners will have insurance, and this is another cost associated with quality care. Medical malpractice insurance is vital for anyone working in healthcare, as it provides public liability and professional indemnity cover to safeguard against claims of clinical negligence and medical malpractice, protecting both the practitioner and the patient.
Registration with Regulatory Bodies
As well as the above mentioned costs, there are other expenses involved in setting up, running and maintaining a non-surgical cosmetic clinic, many of which underpin its safety. Registration and revalidation with regulatory bodies such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the General Medical Council (GMC) and the General Dental Council (GDC) is a mandatory expense, as these bodies are responsible for regulating medical practitioners. In addition practitioners often choose to join and pay membership fees to professional associations which provide peer-to-peer support, education and training, and keep their members updated on industry standards, regulations and policies as they develop.
Is ‘Cheap Botox’ Worth the Risk?
In order to offer ‘cheap botox’ shoddy practitioners are unlikely to invest in any of the above, as when offering cheap treatments, the cost of provision has to be minimal in order to make a profit.
Of course, in any business, profit is important. The income provided by those seeking treatment has to sustain the service and also be invested in improving standards and quality. However, at Save Face, we strongly believe that profit should never come before safety.
Practitioners who don’t invest in research, training, the environment they work in, care standards and protection should things go wrong are an accident waiting to happen. There are risks involved in non-surgical cosmetic procedures, and without the necessary safeguards in place, side effects and complications are more likely to occur.
Quality non-surgical cosmetic treatments are expensive, and as such, patients receiving them have the right to expect a quality service in an appropriate environment. Botulinum toxin injections should never be administered at a party, in a hotel room, at a shop or at home. All patients, when researching and receiving these treatments, should expect to be treated with respect; be kept fully informed; and to be given time, care and attention throughout the entire experience.
In order to ensure their safety, patients should always select a qualified, established practitioner who has built up a good reputation over time. These practitioners should have a physical address and preferably a landline listed on their website,
Save Face
At Save Face, we want to take the guess work out of selecting a non-surgical cosmetic practitioner. We know what to check and how to check it. All of the practitioners you will find using the Save Face search engine have been individually assessed on-site against a stringent set of standards by a Save Face Clinical Assessor, and we monitor and verify feedback to ensure practitioners on our register practice to the standards we uphold.
Remember, don’t settle for the cheapest treatments. Expect and demand better, and be prepared to pay appropriately for it. Use the Save Face register today, and find a practitioner you can trust.
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