Journal
What happens at an aesthetics consultation?
What to expect at a GP-led aesthetics consultation, from the questions you will be asked to consent, time to decide and how to prepare.
Why the consultation matters
Aesthetic injectable treatments are medical procedures. A consultation is where your practitioner finds out what you would like to change, checks whether treatment is safe and suitable for you, and makes sure you understand the risks and alternatives before anything is agreed. It is also your chance to decide whether you feel comfortable with the practitioner and the plan.
A good consultation should never feel like a sales appointment. You should leave with clear information, whether or not you go ahead.
How to prepare
It helps to bring or think about:
- Your medical history, including any conditions you have now or have had in the past.
- Medicines and supplements you take, including blood thinners, and any allergies.
- Previous aesthetic treatments, what was used if you know, and how you responded.
- What bothers you, in your own words. You do not need to know the name of a treatment.
- Your questions. It is easy to forget them on the day, so writing them down helps.
What happens during the consultation
- Your goals. You will be asked what you would like to improve and why, and what kind of result you are hoping for.
- Your medical history. Your health, medicines, allergies and previous treatments are reviewed, as some can affect whether treatment is safe.
- An assessment. Your face, skin and expressions are assessed, at rest and in movement, often with photographs taken for your records with your consent.
- Your options. Suitable options are explained, including alternatives and the option of no treatment at all.
- Risks and aftercare. Common side effects, rarer complications and what aftercare involves are explained in plain language.
- Costs. You will be told what any recommended treatment is likely to cost before anything is agreed.
Consent and time to think
If you decide to go ahead, you will be asked to give written consent once you understand what is involved. You should never feel rushed. You will have the information and the time you need to make your decision, and same-day treatment is only considered where it is clinically appropriate. If you need longer, treatment is put back.
You can change your mind at any point before treatment.
Treatments that need a prescription
Some treatments for expression lines involve prescription-only medicines. These can only be prescribed after a face-to-face assessment by a qualified prescriber, and they cannot be booked directly or chosen from a menu. If you are interested in treatment for lines and wrinkles, the starting point is a lines and wrinkles consultation, where every suitable option is discussed.
Questions worth asking any practitioner
- What are your qualifications, and are you registered with a professional body?
- Do you hold insurance for the treatment you are recommending?
- Which products do you use, and where do you buy them from?
- What happens if I have a problem after treatment, and how do I contact you?
- Will I have a review appointment if I need one?
A careful practitioner will be happy to answer all of these. You can read how The GP Aesthetics approaches clinical safety and governance.
After the consultation
You will leave with advice about whether treatment is suitable, what it involves and what it costs. There is no obligation to book. If you do go ahead, you will be given aftercare advice and know how to contact the clinic afterwards.
Booking a consultation
Consultations are GP-led and cost £25, which is credited towards treatment when booked within 30 days. Appointments are by arrangement at our Boroughbridge clinic or in the Billingham area. Get in touch to arrange a time.
