Cosmetic Surgeon 411 Directory

I recently heard on the news that a dentist was arrested for giving patients BOTOX® injections without having received the proper training to do so. We have also heard about BOTOX® parties in which sometimes a hairdresser (or some other non-medical professional) will inject several people at one time in one location, again without having the proper training. What’s next? A podiatrist performing breast augmentation? A dermatologist performing a tummy tuck? If you are considering getting injectables to rejuvenate your skin and take years off your appearance, it is highly recommended that you go to an experienced, qualified cosmetic surgeon for all of your dermal filler injections.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), 2.8 million BOTOX injections were given in 2008, and this has been the most popular cosmetic procedure in the last eight years.

If you live in the Beverly Hills/Los Angeles area, you have probably heard of the following dermal fillers:

Restylane Radiesse Juvederm

These injectables are very popular and get more and more popular each year. Both men and women (usually age 40 and up) are seeking out cosmetic surgeons who perform these injections to fill in wrinkles and revitalize your face. These non-invasive procedures can be performed in a matter of minutes and are not painful at all. However, if these injections are given by an untrained person, the results can be horrific.

If a place is offering injectables, you should be able to answer “yes” to the following questions:

Have you been asked to provide your medical history? Have you been told about alternative treatments? Were the risks of the injectable explained to you? Did you provide informed consent for the injections? Is the person administering the injections a qualified medical professional? Is the setting appropriate for this type of procedure? Were you provided post-procedure instruction? Is follow-up care available?