It's not just about qualifications. It's about how you feel when you leave the consultation.
Choosing an aesthetic doctor is an important decision. Naturally, you want someone who is medically qualified, experienced and capable of performing treatments safely.
Those are essential requirements, and we've discussed them elsewhere. Consider reading our companion article How do I Choose a Safe Aesthetic Practitioner?
But qualifications alone don't tell you everything.
Two equally qualified doctors may approach the same patient quite differently. One may immediately suggest a treatment. The other may spend considerably longer listening, asking questions, examining the face and exploring possible treatments. They might also discuss whether treatment is appropriate at all.
Both may be technically competent. But which would you feel more comfortable trusting with your face?
There are some surprisingly simple ways to recognise when you've found the right aesthetic doctor. And most of them have very little to do with the treatment itself.
Did They Really Listen to You?
A good consultation should begin with a conversation, not a treatment recommendation.
What concerns you about your appearance? What would you like to change? What are you aiming to achieve?
These may sound like obvious questions, but the answers matter. Two patients asking about the same facial feature may have entirely different concerns and expectations.
An experienced aesthetic doctor should take the time to understand what you actually want.
And sometimes, what a patient initially requests isn't necessarily what would be the best treatment.
Did They Look at the Whole Picture?
Faces don't age in isolation. Changes in skin quality, facial volume, muscle activity and underlying structure are all interconnected.
A patient may arrive concerned about a particular line or wrinkle, but treating that feature alone may not produce the most natural result.
A good aesthetic doctor should assess the face as a whole, explain what they see and discuss the available options.
That doesn't mean recommending more treatments. Quite the opposite. Understanding the whole face often helps us recognise when less treatment will produce a better result.
Were They Prepared to Say No?
This may be one of the most revealing signs of a good aesthetic doctor.
Not every concern requires treatment. Not every requested procedure is appropriate. And sometimes the likely improvement may be too small to justify an intervention.
An experienced doctor should be comfortable explaining why they would advise against a particular treatment, even when a patient is keen to proceed.
Saying no isn't a failure to help. It can be an important part of good medical care.
After all, the purpose of a consultation isn't to find something to inject. It's to decide whether treatment is appropriate in the first place.
Did They Explain the Limitations?
Aesthetic medicine can achieve some excellent results, but it has limitations.
No treatment works equally well for everyone. Results vary and side effects can occur.
You should leave your consultation understanding not only what a treatment might achieve, but also what it cannot.
Be cautious of anyone who promises perfect results, describes treatments as entirely risk-free or suggests that a new product can solve almost every aesthetic concern.
Good medical advice should be realistic, even when the reality is less exciting than the marketing.
Did You Feel Under Pressure?
A consultation should never feel like a sales appointment.
You shouldn't feel obliged to agree to treatment immediately, accept additional procedures or take advantage of a special offer before leaving.
There is nothing wrong with going home and thinking about the advice you've received.
In fact, for someone considering aesthetic treatment for the first time, taking time to reflect is particularly sensible.
A good doctor should be entirely comfortable with that decision.
And Finally, How Did You Feel When You Left?
Did you feel listened to?
Did you understand the advice?
Were your questions answered without making you feel uncomfortable or foolish?
Did you feel that the consultation was rushed?
Did you feel that the doctor was interested in you as an individual, rather than simply in the treatment you might purchase?
You don't necessarily have to agree with every recommendation. Indeed, a doctor who occasionally challenges your expectations may be demonstrating exactly the independence of judgement you should value.
What matters is that you feel confident in their clinical judgement and comfortable discussing your concerns openly.
At the Cosmetic Doctors Company, we have always believed that good aesthetic treatments begin with a thorough consultation.
Experience, technical skill and medical qualifications are essential, but so is the relationship between doctor and patient. Read Why We Call You a Patient, Not a Client.
Thinking about an aesthetic treatment?
If you're considering aesthetic treatment, we'd be pleased to welcome you for a consultation at The Cosmetic Doctors Company in Esher, Surrey. It's an opportunity to discuss your concerns, explore your options and receive advice from an experienced aesthetic doctor, without any pressure to proceed with treatment.
To arrange a consultation, please visit our contact page or get in touch directly using the email or telephone links below.