What You Should Know Before Scheduling an Appointment
When it comes to cosmetic procedures, the better you are informed, the better the experience, and hopefully the results. However, reaching out to a skin care professional to obtain the proper information regarding the procedure can be intimidating. Upon reading this blog post, we hope you are left feeling confident about your decision to seek the assistance of a skin care professional as well as any procedures you may be considering.
Where to Begin
First things first, what exactly are your aesthetic goals? To effectively meet your needs, thoroughly assess your appearance and familiarize yourself with the different types of skin care professionals. The following types of specialists compose the staff of Knoxville Dermatology Group and Medi-Spa of Knoxville Dermatology Group:
+Dermatologists are physicians who are trained exclusively in the care of the skin, hair and nails.
+ Medical aestheticians are licensed skin-care specialists that treat facial skin to maintain and improve its appearance. Their expertise includes skin analysis, massage therapy, skin treatment administration, hair removal, cosmetics and makeup application.
When you are certain of the type physician you need, begin your research:
+ Look for certifications: Board-certified doctors are up to date on the qualifications necessary to perform a procedure. Your doctor should be in good standing with the appropriate professional societies (such as American Board of Dermatology) and hold the correct American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) board certification. ABMS is an organization that consists of 24 medical specialty Member Boards and is the top establishment for monitoring certified physician specialists in the United States.
+ Background check your doctor: After you find a physician who has the proper experience and training in treating your area of concern, check your state medical board records to ensure there are no current negligent actions against him or her.
Meeting the Doctor
Before embarking on the “interview” process with the doctors you are considering, you should prepare a list of questions and concerns. Here are a few to give you ideas:
+ How many procedures, like mine, have you performed?
+ Can you show me before-and-after photos?
+ Is there anything that you recommend I do before the procedure to ensure better results or quicker recovery?
+ What are the risks associated with this procedure? What about alternative treatments?
+ What is the recovery like? When will I begin to see results?
+ When can I begin wearing makeup again and using skin-care products? How can I maintain my results?
As part of the interview process, review his or her “resume” and “portfolio” of work. Do not be discouraged if you have to meet several doctors before selecting the right one for you.
Assess the Facility
When you go to interview your doctor, thoroughly inspect the facility and don’t shy away from asking the doctor or office manager questions. To begin, the facility where your procedure is going to be performed should be accredited and in good standing with one of several major accredited organizations. According to the general standards as outlined by these organizations:
+ The medical staff must meet the qualification standards.
+ The facility must pass regular inspections for safety, sterility, protocols and record-keeping.
+ The facility must pass a peer-reviewed quality-assured inspection.
+ The facility must meet the guidelines set forth for emergency equipment, and the staff must be trained in lifesaving procedures. Make sure you discuss your doctor’s emergency plan.
Learn about Anesthesia Options
Now that you have assessed your doctor and his or her facility, you should proceed with an in-person consultations and health evaluation. During this meeting, you will learn all about the procedure. For procedures that only need topical, oral or local anesthesia, like fillers and nonablative laser treatments, your physician or physician’s assistant can administer your anesthesia or write you a prescription for anesthetic medicine. At Medi-Spa of Knoxville Dermatology Group, local (topical or injectable) anesthesia is most commonly used. Cream is applied or anesthesia is injected to the area that will be treated, which will numb only that area. This sensation occurs in minutes with injections, but topical can take several minutes. Potential side effects are typically mild and should be discussed with your doctor.
Now that we have outlined the basics for finding the best skin care professional for you, proceed with your search with confidence and assurance! We hope you consider one of our practices!
Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to gain more knowledge about your skin so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential!
Contact Knoxville Dermatology Group at 865.690.9467.
