This month, Shaadi Manouchehri discusses some alternatives to injectables and the importance of providing multiple potential treatment pathways.
As part of the process of obtaining valid informed consent, it is wise to discuss alternatives to the proposed treatment. Injectable facial cosmetic treatments are probably the most popular treatment method among cosmetic dentists starting out in the cosmetic field. However, it is wise to be aware of alternatives and be able to discuss them with customers.
In this article we will discuss some of these alternatives.
Don’t do anything
It may seem obvious that those attending a consultation to discuss options are interested in treatment. However, this can be a scary experience for some and can be unsettling at first. They may not be ready enough for treatment at least right now.
It is up to the clinician to be able to assess the client and determine their suitability. All treatments come with risks and benefits. Some clients may not be ready to take the risks, so opting out of treatment is always an option.
Chemical peeling
Chemical peels involve applying a solution to the skin to remove dead skin cells and encourage new growth to improve skin texture and tone. These can be categorized into superficial, medium or deep peels.
Surface and medium peels are relatively simple with little to no time. They usually need to be repeated to see improvement. Deep peels involve more risk and downtime, but the results are longer lasting.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a skin resurfacing procedure where a rapidly rotating device removes the outer surface of the skin encouraging new growth, which is generally smoother. This procedure can address a number of concerns, particularly acne scars, fine lines and age spots.
It may take multiple treatment sessions to see improvement. Expect some downtime after this treatment, the skin will be red and tender for a few days to weeks and it may take up to three months to recover.
Laser restoration
This treatment is becoming more and more popular with the advancements in the technology of the devices available. Laser resurfacing is the process of emitting heat energy with a device that encourages the body’s natural healing process.
Lasers can treat fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, scars and encourage general improvement in skin texture and tone. Laser beams will target damaged skin and encourage the body’s natural healing processes to stimulate new collagen production and cell regeneration, revealing smoother, glowing skin. There are different types of lasers that penetrate more or less layers of the skin.
Surgery
Some concerns can be addressed with a combination of injectables and non-injectables, and clients can expect significant improvements in skin appearance and quality. However, some concerns can only be treated with surgery to see significant improvement. These include long-term skin damage, loss of volume and elasticity as well as loose skin and general signs of aging.
This is a brief overview of some alternatives to injectables. Of course, you may not be able to offer all of these services yourself or in your clinic, but it is important that you are aware of them and be able to refer your patients appropriately if they are interested or suitable for them.
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