Beyond Botox : how to choose safe and effective non-surgical anti-ageing treatments
In this article, Dr Aarti Narayan-Denning, of the Reverse Time clinic in St Cross explains how to avoid botched botox and quick fix fillers and ensure the best non-surgical anti-ageing results available.
Dr Aarti Narayan-Denning, Reverse Time clinic
As the Reverse Time clinic approaches its tenth anniversary, founder and medical director, Dr Aarti Narayan-Dennning is proud of its high ethical standards and the range of non-surgical cosmetic procedures offered. During the last decade, she has dedicated herself to developing a portfolio of aesthetic medicine options to ensure her patients enjoy personalised treatment plans targeting the actual causes of ageing rather than the symptoms.
In this article, she draws on her experience to help Winchester residents manage the minefield of the non-surgical cosmetic medicine industry. So, if you are considering investing in anti-ageing treatments, read on for Dr Aarti’s five top tips for finding an effective and ethical practitioner:
#1 Beware the free consultation
When considering medical cosmetic treatment you will need to spend time with your proposed practitioner. You will both have questions – they need to ask about your lifestyle and medical history and you will need to investigate their experience and approach to treatment. As a doctor, I’d expect to spend at least an hour with any first time patient. Bearing this in mind, you can understand that clinics offering ‘free’ consultations are bound to be keen for you to proceed with a treatment to cover the cost of the doctor’s time. If you want to avoid being ‘sold’ to then just say no to the free consultation. A great middle road is the option to have your consultation fee deducted from the cost of your first treatment if you choose to progress.
In the same vein, don’t be overly price sensitive. Check prices across many clinics to get a ‘feel’ for the right price. Remember a good practitioner needs to invest in ongoing professional development and medical registration fees as well as good quality products. You are not only paying for their time and experience.
Reverse Time clinic in St Cross specialises in anti-ageing treatments
# 2 Always check, and double check, your practitioner’s qualifications
Did you know people can, and do, train to inject botox and fillers in just a weekend? If you, like me, would prefer to trust a practitioner with deeper medical training then take the time to properly check their qualifications. Anyone can log into the General Medical Council website to see if a doctor is on The Medical Register, it only takes a minute so go ahead and double check. A good quality clinic will detail the accreditations of all staff. Remember to confirm who will perform your treatment.
#3 Look at independent reviews
Just like you might browse Trip Advisor before visiting hotels and restaurants, make sure you check reviews before attending a cosmetic clinic. Aside form Google, the best specialist independent review sites are:
Remember reviews are subjective so read as many as you can to absorb a balanced view.
#4 Expect a holistic consultation
When you experience pain you expect your GP to investigate the cause as well as prescribing pain relief. Have you pulled a muscle, damaged a bone or is it a warning sign of heart disease? A proper medical cosmetic doctor will apply the same standards when considering treatments for wrinkles. They will consider the cause – is it excessive sun damage, over active muscles or a lack of oestrogen? They will not just inject the area concerned and hope for the best.
#5 Ensure the clinic provides a wide range of treatments
A good aesthetic doctor will know better than you – sorry but it’s true! You may not always leave with the treatment you expected, (but do insist on the results you need), which is why it’s important to make sure the clinic can perform a range of procedures so your potential solutions are not limited. For example, if you attend my clinic with concerns about your weight I will investigate possible hormone imbalances and your dietary habits before recommending any medical weight loss procedures.
Good luck! Embarking on an anti-ageing journey can be truly liberating, so enjoy.
Dr Aarti Narayan-Denning can be found at the Reverse Time Clinic in St Cross, Winchester.