Considering Injectables? Facial Fillers? Know the Facts.

If you're considering cosmetic injectables, also referred to as facial fillers, do your homework. In fact, we'll help you do it right here, right now. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has announced new guidelines for consumers seeking cosmetic enhancements through injectable treatments as part of an initiative to counter the alarming rise in reports of unqualified persons performing medical procedures.

The ASAPS recommends the following guidelines for those seeking cosmetic injectable treatments:

• Don’t choose a provider based on price. Injectables are pharmaceutical products and must be administered by trained, qualified clinicians.
  
  
• Make sure the benefits and risks are fully explained to you in a patient consultation. Plastic surgeons use the consultation process to educate patients about the proposed procedure. Every procedure has inherent risks and benefits; the hallmark of informed consent is the understanding of risks and benefits, and realistic expectations.
  
  
• Fully disclose any medical conditions you might have, and medications you are taking including vitamins and over-the-counter drugs. This information will help your clinician select the most effective procedure for you, with the fewest side-effects.
  
  
• Any injectable should be administered in an appropriate setting using sterile instruments. A non-physician who is appropriately licensed and trained may perform the injections under the supervision of a qualified plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Malls and private homes are not medical environments and may be unsanitary.
  
  
• Know what you are being injected with. Disturbing reports of patients being injected with everything from liquid silicone to baby oil and other unapproved products are appearing in the press on a regular basis. Make sure your clinician is using only FDA-approved products purchased within the United States. If he or she refuses to give you this information, seek another clinician.

For a useful up-to-date chart with side-by-side comparisons of the most common injectables, click here. Also, see the web site www.injectablesafety.org.

This will help you have an informed conversation with Dr. Hamori, who can recommend and explain injectibles in more detail. For more information, please see Dr. Hamori's web site at www.christinehamori.com.